Breaks Interstate Park: Difference between revisions

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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
{{Park
{{Infobox Trail
|Park Type=State Park
                    | Image Name = placeholder.JPG
|Park Website=https://www.breakspark.com
                    | City = Breaks
|Trail Map Link=https://www.breakspark.com/park-information-hours/park-maps-and-trail-info/
                    | State = Virginia
|Activities=Hiking, Boating, Biking, Geocaching, Horses, Fishing, Climbing
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Biking}} {{Dogs}}
|Features=Waterfalls, Vistas, Rivers, Lakes
                    | Difficulty Rating = Medium
|Park Amenities=Pools, Restaurant, Fast Food Grill, Sports, Picnicking, Playgrounds
                    | Hike Time = *
|Lodging Types=Lodge/Inn/Hotel, Cabins, Campground
                    | Distance = *
|Camping Amenities=Site water, Dump station, 20 amp electrical, 30 amp electrical, 50 amp electrical, Showers, Playgrounds, Wi-Fi, Camp Store
                    | Elevation Gain = *
|City=Breaks
                    | High Point = *
|Area=4,500 acres
                    | Latitude = N36°53.118
|Operated By=Breaks Interstate Park Compact
                    | Longitude = W81°31.305
|Main Location=37.29639, -82.29694
                    | Medical = Pikeville, KY
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
                    | googlemap =
<googlemap lat="37.286752" lon="-82.296031"  zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
37.286752, -82.296031, Breaks Interstate Park
</googlemap>
}}
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
{{Park trail map}}


<!-- Start of Main Page -->
__TOC__
 
== Park Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
[http://www.breakspark.com/ Breaks Interstate Park] offers twenty, mostly short, hiking trails covering around 12 miles that can be connected to enjoy various views around the gorge.  Suggested loop hike take hits highlights of overlooks and down along the creek for a half day jaunt.
<!-- 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. -->
[http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/hun.shtml Hungry Mother State Park] offers eight hiking trails covering around 12 miles running along the lake, through woods, and up to park's 3,270 feet highpoint.


== 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 the TriCities area:
From Kingsport:
#Take I-81 up to Exit 44 (US-11/Marion).
#Take I-81 north to Exit 14 (VA-140/Abingdon).
#Turn right/NE on US-11/Lee Highway and proceed into town just over three miles.
#Turn right/NE onto VA-140 and travel half mile.
#Turn left/NW onto VA-16 and continue another four miles.
#Turn right onto W Main St/US11/US19 for just under a mile.
#Turn right/NW into state park.
#Turn left/north onto US-19 and travel 29 miles to Rosedale.
#Day parking for the main trails on right below dam - and back by the CCC cabins.
#Turn left onto VA-80 and continue for 40 miles to park entrance.
#There are several parking lots for the main trails.
GPS address for visitors center 627 Commission Circle Breaks, VA 24607.


== 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 following trails are available in Hungry Mother State Park.   
The following trails are available in Breaks Interstate Park.   
{{Park trail table}}


{| class="wikitable" border="1"
An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails. Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215). First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail.  Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork.  Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail.  Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached.  Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge.  Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle.  Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.
|-
!Trail
!Miles
!Blaze
!Difficulty
!Usage
|-
|Beaver Pond Trail
|0.4
|Purple
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Campbranch Trail
|0.7
|White
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Center Creek Trail
|0.5
|Purple
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Cold Springs Trail
|0.5
|Yellow
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Deer Trail
|0.5
|Purple
|Easy
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Geological Trail
|0.35
|White
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Grassy Creek Trail
|0.5
|Yellow
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Grassy Overlook Trail
|0.5
|Green
|Medium
|{{Hike}}
|-
|Ladies Loop Trail
|0.9
|Royal Blue
|Difficult
|{{Hike}} {{Biking}}
|-
|}
 
An interesting loop hike through the forest with both summit and lake views could be created. Start by parking in the back by the cabins at the trailhead for Molly's Knob Trail (coordinates in infobox).  After mile and quarter travel, take left and up 0.4 mile Molly's Vista Trail to the 3247 ft summit.  Back down and left to finish out the one-third mile remaining on Molly's Knob Trail to the intersection with CCC Trail.  Take a left for a mile until Lake Trail is reached.  Following the winding Lake Trail back to parking lot.  Roughly 6.5 miles in three and half hours.


== 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?  -->
Being a VA state park, the dirt and gravel trails are kept in excellent condition.  Some of the trail sections do narrow to a tight single-track, but adequate use of switchbacks keeps the elevation change reasonably gradual. Most of the trails are in the forest, some with lake views.
Being a VA/KY state park, the dirt and gravel trails are kept in excellent condition.  Some of the trail sections are narrow with steep dropoffs, so pay attention. After rain, some of the dirt trails are reported to be slippery.


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
Line 114: Line 45:
Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.
Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.


== Misc. Information ==
==Gallery==
<!-- Enter any additional information that doesn't fit an any other fields. Any seasonal features, factoids, etc...? -->
{{Park trail gallery|Park={{PAGENAME}}}}
 
{{Trail Stub
== Maps ==
|Trail=Beaver Pond Trail
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. -->
|Trail Distance=0.4 mi
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.8818" lon="-81.5289" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="700" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
|Difficulty=Easy
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/HMSP_Mollys_Knob_Trail.kml
|Trail Marking=Purple
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/HMSP_Lake_Trail.kml
}}
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/HMSP_Mollys_Vista_Trail.kml
{{Trail Stub
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/HMSP_CCC_Trail_partial.kml
|Trail=Campbranch Trail
 
|Trail Distance=0.7 mi
(G) 36.88597,-81.5212
|Difficulty=Easy
Molly's Knob Trailhead
|Trail Marking=White
(G) 36.88243,-81.50953
}}
Molly's Vista trailhead
{{Trail Stub
(E) 36.8839, -81.51027
|Trail=Center Creek Trail
Molly's Knob
|Trail Distance=0.5 mi
(G) 36.88117,-81.51055
|Difficulty=Medium
Molly's Knob and CCC Trail intersection
|Trail Marking=Purple
(G) 36.87365,-81.51063
}}
CCC and Lake Trails intersection
{{Trail Stub
(A) 36.8853,-81.52175
|Trail=Cold Springs Trail
Parking Area by cabins
|Trail Distance=0.5 mi
(A) 36.86922,-81.52559
|Difficulty=Medium
Parking Area by spillway
|Trail Marking=Yellow
</googlemap>
}}
 
{{Trail Stub
 
|Trail=Deer Trail
[http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/documents/hungrymother.pdf Park Trail Map]  Note that this map does not have "Lake Loop" broken up into now Lake, Fisherman's Run, and Powder House trails sections.
|Trail Distance=0.5 mi
 
|Difficulty=Easy
== Photos ==
|Trail Marking=Purple
<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 -->
{{Trail Stub
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Trail=Geological Trail
Image:placeholder.jpg|caption
|Trail Distance=0.35 mi
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Difficulty=Medium
</gallery>
|Trail Marking=White
 
}}
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
{{Trail Stub
[[Category:Virginia]] [[Category:Medium]] [[Category:Hiking]] [[Category:Dog Friendly]]
|Trail=Grassy Creek Trail
|Trail Distance=0.5 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Yellow
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Grassy Overlook Trail
|Trail Distance=0.5 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Green
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Ladies Loop Trail
|Trail Distance=0.24 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Gray
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Lake Trail (Breaks Interstate)
|Trail Distance=0.5 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=Orange
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Laurel Branch Trail
|Trail Distance=1.25 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Red
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Loop Trail
|Trail Distance=0.4 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=Green
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Mountain Bike Trail
|Trail Distance=3 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Green
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Overlook Trail
|Trailhead location=37.29271,-82.30803
|Trail Distance=0.75 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Green
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Prospectors' Trail
|Trail Distance=1.5 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Orange
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Rattlesnake Trail
|Trail Distance=2.5 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Orange
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Ridge Trail
|Trail Distance=0.5 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Blue
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=River Trail
|Trail Distance=1 mi
|Difficulty=Medium
|Trail Marking=Blue
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Tower Tunnel Trail
|Trailhead location=37.2865,-82.30358
|Trail Distance=0.2 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=Yellow
}}
{{Trail Stub
|Trail=Towers Overlook Trail
|Trail Distance=0.15 mi
|Difficulty=Easy
|Trail Marking=Red
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Towers Tunnel Overlook
|Marker Location=37.28369,-82.30354
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Prospectors' Trail
|Marker Location=37.28511,-82.30308
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=River and Prospectors' trail intersection
|Marker Location=37.29004,-82.30941
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Grassy Creek and River trail intesection
|Marker Location=37.29589,-82.31410
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Grassy Creek and Laurel Branch trail intersection
|Marker Location=37.29821,-82.30890
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Point of interest
|Marker Title=Laurel Branch and Geological trail intersection
|Marker Location=37.29468,-82.30474
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Ranger Station
|Marker Title=Visitors Center
|Marker Location=37.28727, -82.2958
}}

Latest revision as of 09:38, 30 May 2021

Breaks Interstate Park
Park Type State Park
Located Breaks, Virginia
External Links Official Website

Official Trail Map

Entrance Fee Unknown
ActivitiesThings to do at the park HikingBoatingBikingGeocachingHorsesFishingClimbing
Park AmenitiesThings built to enjoy or use at the park PoolsRestaurantFast Food GrillSportsPicnickingPlaygrounds
FeaturesNatural things to see at the park WaterfallsVistasRiversLakes
Park Trails

20 Trails / Total of 15.94 miles25.653 km <br />

Lodging Types Lodge/Inn/HotelCabinsCampground
Camping Amenities

Site waterDump station20 amp electrical30 amp electrical50 amp electricalShowersPlaygroundsWi-FiCamp Store

Park Area 4,500 acres18.211 km² <br />
Operated By Breaks Interstate Park Compact
Main Location 37° 17' 47.00" N, 82° 17' 48.98" W Map
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Park Overview[edit]

Breaks Interstate Park offers twenty, mostly short, hiking trails covering around 12 miles that can be connected to enjoy various views around the gorge. Suggested loop hike take hits highlights of overlooks and down along the creek for a half day jaunt.

How to get there[edit]

From Kingsport:

  1. Take I-81 north to Exit 14 (VA-140/Abingdon).
  2. Turn right/NE onto VA-140 and travel half mile.
  3. Turn right onto W Main St/US11/US19 for just under a mile.
  4. Turn left/north onto US-19 and travel 29 miles to Rosedale.
  5. Turn left onto VA-80 and continue for 40 miles to park entrance.
  6. There are several parking lots for the main trails.

GPS address for visitors center 627 Commission Circle Breaks, VA 24607.

Route Description[edit]

The following trails are available in Breaks Interstate Park.

Park Trails Distance Difficulty Marking Usage Highlight
Beaver Pond TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.40 mi Easy Purple
Campbranch TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.70 mi Easy White
Center Creek TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Purple
Cold Springs TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Yellow
Deer TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Easy Purple
Geological TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.35 mi Medium White
Grassy Creek TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Yellow
Grassy Overlook TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Green
Ladies Loop TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.24 mi Medium Gray
Lake Trail (Breaks Interstate)This trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Easy Orange
Laurel Branch TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 1.25 mi Medium Red
Loop TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.40 mi Easy Green
Mountain Bike TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 3.00 mi Medium Green
Overlook TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.75 mi Medium Green
Prospectors' TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 1.50 mi Medium Orange
Rattlesnake TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 2.50 mi Medium Orange
Ridge TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.50 mi Medium Blue
River TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 1.00 mi Medium Blue
Tower Tunnel TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.20 mi Easy Yellow
Towers Overlook TrailThis trail is a "stub" either because of its short length, lack of significance, or the page hasn't been created yet. The page can be created, but then delete the stub reference from this park. 0.15 mi Easy Red

An interesting roughly 4.5 mile loop hike can be created by combining half dozen trails. Drive 0.4 mile past the visitor's center to the parking lot for Towers Tunnel Overlook (N37°17.190 W82°18.215). First, head out 0.2 mile to the Towers Tunnel Overlook to see the railroad cut through the sandstone pillar. Back to the trailhead for the Prospectors' Trail. Head down for 0.8 mile until River Trail is reached. Switch to the mile long River Trail for closer look at the Russell Fork. Some of the side trails down to the river are steep (involve rock climbing to get back up). At the south end of River Trail, the path changes names to the Grassy Creek Trail. Follow the trail up along creek for 0.3 mile until Laurel Branch Trail is reached. Here is where some energy is going to be spent hiking 0.6 mile back up out of the gorge. Next, take the Geological Trail up to the parking lot of Stateline Overlook where you can see the second railroad tunnel. Next take the Overlook Trail over to the Clinchfield Overlook. Finally, short piece along the park road back to your vehicle. Depending on number of stops for photos and rest, the loop should take around three hours to complete.

Typical Conditions[edit]

Being a VA/KY state park, the dirt and gravel trails are kept in excellent condition. Some of the trail sections are narrow with steep dropoffs, so pay attention. After rain, some of the dirt trails are reported to be slippery.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

Daily parking fee for passenger vehicles into VA state parks is $2 weekdays, $3 weekends.

Gallery[edit]














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