Editing Stamping Ground Ridge Trail

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                     | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
                     | City = Limestone Cove
                     | State = Tennessee
                     | Marking = None
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Horses}}
                     | Difficulty Rating = Medium
                     | Hike Time = 2
                     | Distance = ~3.75
                     | Elevation Gain = ~2300
                     | High Point = 4700
                     | Latitude = 36.14450
                     | Longitude = -82.29260
                     | Medical = Erwin, TN
}}<!-- 

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 | Comment = Add tabular trail description
 | Date reviewed = 11/22/2015
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== Trail Overview ==
<!-- Enter 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. -->
Hike up to overlook on Unaka Mountain.  Hike in June for rhododendron in bloom and fall for leaf color.

== How to get there ==
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From Johnson City, TN 

<u>To lower trailhead</u>
#South on I-26 to Exit 32 for TN-173/Unicoi Road.
#Turn left/east under interstate and head 0.5 mile. 
#Turn right/south at tee onto TN-173 for 0.7 mile.
#Turn left/east onto TN-107 and head out of town for 3.5 miles. The picnic area is to the left, along North Indian Creek.  
#Turn right/south onto gravel Forest Service Road 4343.
If gate is open, then drive 1.5 miles to end of FS road to new marked trailhead.  If gate is locked closed, then park in pulloff and hike to trailhead.

<u>To upper trailhead</u>
#Complete 1-4 for above route, but 
#Continue on TN-107 for another four miles.
#Turn right/west onto first paved, then gravel Forest Road 230 (Unaka Mountain Road/Red Fork Road).
#Wind around for around six miles up Unaka Mountain.
#Parking lot and trailhead are on right.

== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Good news is that the lower end has been rerouted on public land to Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road).  

The trail is in the Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area.  This description starts at the upper trailhead at the parking lot.  Just past the rocks which block the trail to vehicle use are splendid views of the nearby mountains and valleys.  The trail is not blazed, but easy to follow, gently descending an open ridge to a gap where the [[Limestone Cove Trail]] (FS Trail #30) bears left at 0.4 miles.  The Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues down the mountain.  At around 2.75-3 miles, there is an obvious intersection with a new yellow-blazed trail which connects to the Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road). The "old" Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues forward where it eventually dead ends into private property.  The new trail process roughly 3/4th of a mile to the gravel Forest Service Road.  Here a trail sign designates the Stamping Ground Ridge trailhead. 

A loop hike could be created by parking across from the picnic grounds at the Limestone Cove Recreation Area.  Hike 0.3 mile on the gravel Rocky Branch Road to the [[Limestone Cove Trail]].  Proceed up 3.8 miles to intersect the Stamping Ground Ridge Trail.  Turn right turn  and hike 0.4 miles to the overlook and parking area. (Enjoy lunch or a snack!)  Head downhill on the above Stamping Ground Ridge Trail (~3.75 miles) to the gravel forest service road.  Close the loop by walking about 1.5 miles back, passing the [[Limestone Cove Trail]] to the original parking spot.  Reported as a pleasant three hour hike – but with 2200-2300 feet of elevation gain and loss.

== Typical Conditions ==
<!-- Typical conditions throughout the year of what to expect on the trail. Rocky, muddy, sandy, flowers, lots of downed trees?  -->

==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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No permit or fee.  The picnic area is day use only.  Being in the Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area, maximum group size is limited to 14 people and all dogs must be leashed or under physical control at all times.

== After the Hike ==
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== Misc. Information ==
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The Forest Service webpage for the picnic area [http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=34972&actid=70&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=110190000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&cid=FSE_003723&pname=Unaka+Mountain+Zone+-+Limestone+Cove].


Stamping Ground Ridge Trail used to be a piece of the Appalachian Trail until the major relocation moved the latter trail to the Roan Highlands.

== Maps ==
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<display_map  type="terrain" width="auto" height="600" gkml="https://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Stamping_Ground_Ridge_Trail.kml">

36.176317,-82.298536~Limestone Cove picnic area~ ~MarkerS.png
36.1458836203, -82.2855116301~Intersect Limestone Cove Trail~ ~MarkerG.png
36.14258, -82.29271~Parking lot at FR230 – Upper trailhead~ ~MarkerA.png
</display_map>

== Photos ==
<gallery>
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Image:placeholder.jpg
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</gallery>

<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. Please keep the State category. To make a new category just type [[Category:mycategory]].  Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
[[Category:Tennessee]]  [[Category:Overlook]]  [[Category:Medium]]  [[Category:Dog Friendly]]  [[Category:Horse Riding]]