Editing Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

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{{Infobox Trail
 | Image Name = Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower.jpg
 | Park = United States Forest Service
 | City = Erwin
 | State = Tennessee
 | Marking = Lime-Green
 | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Biking}}
 | Difficulty Rating = Medium
 | Hike Time = 4 Hours
 | Round Trip Distance = 9.6 Mi
 | Trail Distance = 4.8 Mi
 | Trail Type = In-and-Out
 | Elevation Gain = 2,423 Ft
 | Elevation Loss = -1,055 Ft
 | High Point = 3,523 Ft
 | Parking coords = 36.208697,-82.354968
 | Trailhead coords = 36.209268,-82.355133
 | Medical = Erwin, TN
}}
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== 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. -->
Great 360 degree view of the mountain ranges from observation platform. Officially USFS Trail #25 "Pinnacle Mountain Tower Trail".  

== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From Kingsport or Johnson City:
#Head south on I-26
#Take Exit 32.
#At bottom of ramp, take a right.
#At the roadway tee, there is a paved parking lot for 3-4 vehicles and nice restroom facilities. There is a sign for Jack Snider Park and 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.
#Trailhead is at the back - there is a prominent sign for the Pinnacle Tower Trail.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
The trailhead is located at the Jack Snider Park next to 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.

{| class="wikitable" border="1"
|-
!Miles
!Elevation
!Pinnacle Mountain Tower Trail
!Miles
|-
|0.0
|2120
|Trailhead at picnic parking lot 
|4.7
|- 
|2.1
|2910
|First distant view to the east
|2.6
|-
|3.2
|3080
|Cross gravel road/ATV trail
Trail follows old logging road
|1.5
|-
|3.7
|3140
|Leave logging road for new trail 
|1.0
|-
|4.4
|3400
|Burned out area around trail
|0.3
|-
|4.7
|3500
|Trailhead at tower
|0.0
|}

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->
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. ==
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
No fees or permits.  Horse or motor bike riding not allowed per forest service sign.  Uncertain if and when the gate at the picnic area is locked.

The trail is located in the Watauga Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest.  Telephone: (423) 735-1500

== Misc. Information ==
<!-- 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/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.

Very nice bathrooms are located at the parking area.

== Maps ==
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
<display_map center="36.2146,-82.361" type="terrain" zoom="15" width="725" height="450" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Pinnacle_Mountain_Tower_Trail.kml">

36.209268,-82.355133~Trailhead in picnic area for future arts center~[[Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower trailhead.JPG|150px]]~MarkerT.png
36.217133,-82.370338~Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower~ ~MarkerE.png
36.208697,-82.354968~Parking lot - space for three vehicles~ ~MarkerA.png
36.221011,-82.365560~Intersection with gravel roadway and ATV trail~ ~MarkerU.png
</display_map>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
Image:Pinnacle Mountain Firetower view.jpg|View east towards trailhead
Image:Pinnacle_Mt_Firetower - view_of_radio_shack.jpg|Looking down at radio tower shack
Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower trailhead.JPG|Trailhead in new picnic area
Image:Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - Tanasi sign.JPG|Tanasi Art Center sign near trailhead
Image:Jack Snider Park.JPG|Sign for park at trailhead
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
</gallery>

<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Biking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]]
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