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{{Trail
<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
|Banner Image=File:View from White House Cliffs1.JPG
{{Infobox Trail
|Trail Highlight=High-point vista from within Rocky Fork SP
                    | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
|Park=Rocky Fork State Park
                    | City = Erwin
|City=Erwin
                    | State = Tennessee
|Trail Marking=Beige plastic TN State Park logo
                    | Marking = Pink survey tap
|Trail Use=Hiking, Geocaching
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
                    | Difficulty Rating = Medium
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Hike Time = 2
|Hike Time=2 hrs
                    | Distance = 3
|Trail Distance=0.9459 mi
                    | Elevation Gain = ~900
|Round Trip Distance=1.9 mi
                    | High Point = 3340
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Latitude = 36.0482662
|High Point=3,308 ft
                    | Longitude = -82.556677
|Low Point=2,406 ft
                    | Medical = Erwin, TN
|Elevation Gain=902 ft
|Elevation Loss=0 ft
|Elevation Change Direction=South-to-North
|Parking location=36.04823, -82.55836
|Trailhead location=36.04823, -82.55836
}}
}}
{{Trail Map}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->


__TOC__
<!-- Start of Main Page -->


== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
In the [[Rocky Fork State Park]] TN state park area.  A steep hike to first highpoint to enjoy some views of the surrounding mountains.
<!-- 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. -->
In the [[Rocky Fork]] TN state park area.  A steep hike to first highpoint to enjoy some views of the surrounding mountains.


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
<!-- Please enter detailed instruction on how to find the trail head. -->
From I-26 Tennessee Exit 43 Temple Hill Road (hour from Kingsport):
From I-26 in Tennessee at Exit 46:
#Head south on US 19W/Temple Hill Road (brown sign for Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park shows correct turn)
#From the Exit 46 Welcome Center follow the access road back under the interstate about 0.2 miles to its end into Clear Branch Road (street sign is often missing).
#After 1.1 miles, veer slight right onto TN 352 going under I-26 (another brown information sign directing)
#If heading east on I-26 and not wishing to stop at the Welcome Center, simply turn right off the Exit 46 ramp and follow the access road a few hundred yards down to Clear Branch Rd. (west-bound traffic will turn left from the exit ramp onto the welcome ctr. access road)  
#After 4.8 miles, turn right onto Rocky Fork Road (entrance sign for state park here)
#Turn right onto Clear Branch and head down thru the tiny community of Clear Branch, past the Clear Branch Church, and down the steep grade to the stop sign - about 0.8 mile.
#After 0.8 miles, turn left for park access road to reach large gravel parking area.
#Turn left onto TN-352 (old US 23 - usually no sign here either) and go about 2.5 miles to Rocky Fork Road on your right.
#White House Cliffs Trail starts by the campfire area.
#Follow RF Rd. about 0.8 mile up to the parking area at the blue gate on your left.  The stream along Rocky Fork Road is very scenic, with lots of cascades, deep pools and giant boulders.  Great trout fishing too.
 
#Park in the small area on the right of the short gravel road leading to the gate.  Try to leave room for other vehicles if possible.
Alternatively, from I-26 Tennessee Exit 46 Flag Pond Road (45 minutes from Asheville):
#Turn left onto Upper Higgins Creek Road.
#After 0.4 mile, turn right/north Old Asheville Highway.
#After 2.2 miles, turn left onto Rocky Fork Road (entrance sign for state park here)
#After 0.8 miles, turn left for park access road to reach large gravel parking area.
#White House Cliffs Trail starts by the campfire area.


Note that I-26 Exit 43 has the Tennessee Welcome Center with indoor bathrooms and vending. To then reach the park:
== Route Description==
#Take the access road and then turn right/north on Clear Branch Road.   
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
#Proceed thru tiny community of Clear Branch, past Clear Branch Church, and down steep grade to stop sign - about 0.8 mile.
From the locked parking area gate, follow the gravel entrance road until pink survey tape is observed on right.  The next section follows an old ungraveled logging path up the creek bed.  Once out of the water path, continue following the old logging roadway around until pink survey tape is seen on the right. Follow the flagging tape up a primative trail to a survey marker post. The last section heads right up the mountain spine to top. The best views are a bit further east from the highpoint.
#Turn left onto TN-352 and go about 2.5 miles to Rocky Fork Road on your right.
#After 0.8 miles, turn left for park access road to reach large gravel parking area.
#White House Cliffs Trail starts by the campfire area.


== Route Description==
[[File:White house cliffs trail profile.png|thumb|right]]
'''NEW Whitehouse Cliffs Trail'''<br>
A new trail starting from the parking area was built in 2018-2019 and opened to the public on December 28th 2019. A tremendous amount of volunteer hours was put it to make the new trail.<br><br>
The trail is obvious and well marked.  Just follow it steeply all the way to the top.


{| class="wikitable" border="1"
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
Line 64: Line 46:
|0.0
|0.0
|2,455
|2,455
|Trailhead at Campfire area
|Locked gate at parking lot
|-
|-
|0.6
|0.5
|2,937
|2,570
|During winter months, good close up view of cliffs themselves
|Veer right onto flagged trail
|-  
|-  
|1.0
|1.1
|2,970
|Sharp right from logging road onto flagged trail
|-
|1.2
|3,095
|Survey mark. Now follow spine up mountain
|-
|1.4
|3,340  
|3,340  
|Highpoint
|Highpoint
Line 77: Line 67:
== 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?  -->
Located at the Main Parking Lot near Campfire Interpretation Area. New Whitehouse Cliffs Trail route is completely new as of 2019 and is the REQUIRED, marked route to reach Whitehouse Cliffs Knob overlook. The path is steep with many rock and log stepsDuring Fall, the heavy leaf litter can make it slippery, so hiking poles are recommended.
This hike is a medium difficulty as the stream bed will be flowing after a rain; otherwise, potentially muddy. The trail is sparely marked with the pink survey tape and not under a regular maintenance programStinging nettle was commonly encountered... along with a fresh bear track.  White House itself is recovering from a wildfire several years ago, thus sharp dead branches are encountered.


Parking lot has two pit toilets and picnic tables.
This trail description DOES NOT proceed out to the actual cliffs viewed from the highway as the approach is steep with loose soil, thus considered unsafe.
 
'''Old Whitehouse Cliffs Trailhead and Trail'''<br>
Route is CLOSED TO PUBLIC (located off of Rocky Fork Trail). Staff is letting nature/forest reclaim for Ecological Restoration.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==  
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==  
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
<!-- Please list any Fees, Permits, Regulations, etc. that may be required on this trail.-->
Not permitted on the watershed are horses, motor vehicles, fires or camping.  
Not permitted on the watershed are horses, motor vehicles, fires or camping. Once off the entrance gravel road, this trail is not suitable for mountain bikes.


== After the Hike ==
== After the Hike ==
<!-- Anywhere interesting to stop by since you're in the area!! -->
<!-- Anywhere interesting to stop by since you're in the area!! -->
The welcome center at I-26 Exit 43 provides restroom facilities and vending machines.
The welcome center provides restroom facilities and vending machines.


== Misc. Information ==
== Misc. Information ==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Does this trail require any permits for overnight? parking? -->
Huckleberries were found on top - typically ripe in July-early August.
Huckleberries were found on top - typically ripe in July-early August.
== Maps ==
<!-- 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="36.05" lon="-82.56" type="terrain" zoom="14" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/White_House_Cliffs_Trail.kml
(A) 36.0482662,-82.556677
Trailhead to Rocky Fork Tract
Locked gate
(G)
Highpoint
</googlemap>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<gallery>
{{Map Marker
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below.  Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Icon Type=Trail sign
Image:placeholder.jpg
|Marker Title=Trailhead to Rocky Fork Tract
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Marker Description=Gravel Parking
</gallery>
|Marker Location=36.048233,-82.558361
 
}}
[[Category: Tennessee]]  [[Category: Medium]]
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Cliffs Viewpoint
|Marker Location=36.050603,-82.561469
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Highpoint
|Marker Location=36.052382,-82.560858
}}
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