Editing Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower
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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. | <!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template. Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. --> | ||
{{Infobox Trail | |||
| Image Name = Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower.jpg | |||
| City = Erwin | |||
| State = Tennessee | |||
| Marking = Lime-Green | |||
| Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Biking}} | |||
| Difficulty Rating = Medium | |||
| Hike Time = 4 | |||
| Distance = 9.2 | |||
| Elevation Gain = 1400 | |||
| High Point = 3520 | |||
| Latitude = 36.205 | |||
| Longitude = -82.35667 | |||
| Medical = Erwin, TN | |||
}} | |||
<!-- End Infobox template table--> | |||
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== Trail Overview == | == Trail Overview == | ||
<!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. --> | <!-- Enter a overview of the trail. What attracts you to this trail, points of interest, types of flowers, lakes, and peaks that you see along the way. --> | ||
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#Take Exit 32. | #Take Exit 32. | ||
#At bottom of ramp, take a right. | #At bottom of ramp, take a right. | ||
#At the roadway tee, there is a | #At the roadway tee, there is a new gravel parking lot for 3-4 vehicles with a nearby sign announcing future location for the arts center. There is parking on the road next to the designated lot as well. | ||
#Hike through gate along new gravel road into the picnic area. | #Hike through gate along new gravel road into the picnic area. | ||
#Trailhead is at the back - | #Trailhead is at the back - look for brown FS marker. Does not have the trail name on it. Parking here for only 1-2 vehicles. | ||
== Route Description== | == Route Description== | ||
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | <!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? --> | ||
The trailhead is located at | The trailhead is located at the future site of the [http://www.tanasiarts.com/ Tanasi Arts & Heritage Center] next to Interstate 26 at Exit 32. The lime green-blazed trail winds up to the top with a steady 6% slope using many switchbacks. The trail crosses a gravel road and ATV trail near the top which both also lead to the tower, but are steeper than the trail. | ||
Takes 2-2.5 hours to hike up to the tower, and then 1.75 hours back down. Cut half hour off descent by coming down gravel road way to trail intersection. | Takes 2-2.5 hours to hike up to the tower, and then 1.75 hours back down. Cut half hour off descent by coming down gravel road way to trail intersection. | ||
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== Typical Conditions == | == Typical Conditions == | ||
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | <!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees? --> | ||
The trail | The new trail, mostly constructed by a Bobcat backhoe by a contractor, is 4 ft wide and well graded (6%). It does have a slight side-to-side slope, which is great to keep the water off the path, but did wear out my ankles from the constant twist. The trail needs this fall's leaf litter to start protecting the tread, which could be somewhat slick after rain due to being so new. | ||
==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ==Fees, Permits, etc. == | ||
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== Misc. Information == | == Misc. Information == | ||
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? --> | <!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? --> | ||
The summit is the highpoint of... Washington County (not Unicoi), Tennessee as it is just inside the county line. Pinnacle Mountain Tower was built by the Civil Conservation Corps and was in service until 1989. The trail was created and the 40 ft observation platform restored for $100,000 as a joint partnership. See [[http://www.knoxnews.com/news/ | The summit is the highpoint of... Washington County (not Unicoi), Tennessee as it is just inside the county line. Pinnacle Mountain Tower was built by the Civil Conservation Corps and was in service until 1989. The trail was created and the 40 ft observation platform restored for $100,000 as a joint partnership. See [[http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2007/nov/05/historic-fire-tower-may-be-restored-with-new/ news article]] and [[http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsbdev3_036104.pdf FS press release]]. | ||
The fire tower can also be accessed via a forest service road or the ATV trail [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=34966&actid=93&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110350000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Cherokee+National+Forest+-+Buffalo+Mountain+ATV+Trail (FTR #29)] off of Dry Creek Road. | The fire tower can also be accessed via a forest service road or the ATV trail [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTSw8jAwgAykeaxcN4jhYG_h4eYX5hPgYwefy6w0H24dcPNgEHcDTQ9_PIz03VL8iNMMgycVQEAIzTHkw!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfME80MEkxVkFCOTBFMktTNUJIMjAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=34966&actid=93&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110350000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=null&pname=Cherokee+National+Forest+-+Buffalo+Mountain+ATV+Trail (FTR #29)] off of Dry Creek Road. | ||
Temporary bathrooms are located at the parking area. | |||
== Maps == | == Maps == | ||
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. --> | <!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. --> | ||
< | <googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.2146" lon="-82.361" type="terrain" zoom="15" width="725" height="450" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> | ||
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Pinnacle_Mountain_Tower_Trail.kml | |||
36.209268,-82.355133 | (G) 36.209268,-82.355133 | ||
36.217133,-82.370338 | Trailhead in picnic area for future arts center | ||
36.208697,-82.354968 | [[Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower trailhead.JPG|150px]] | ||
36.221011,-82.365560 | (G) 36.217133,-82.370338,Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower | ||
</ | (A) 36.208697,-82.354968 | ||
Parking lot - space for three vehicles | |||
(G) 36.221011,-82.365560 | |||
Intersection with gravel roadway and ATV trail | |||
</googlemap> | |||
== Photos == | == Photos == | ||
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<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. --> | <!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. --> | ||
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Biking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] | [[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Biking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]] | ||