Rattlesnake Ridge: Difference between revisions

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(Updating notice per ranger: camping closed, trails open.)
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<!-- The following few lines create the "Infobox" table template.  Please scroll down to edit the main content of the article. -->
{{Trail
{{Infobox Trail
|Banner Image=File:View from Rattlesnake Ridge.JPG
                    | Image Name = View_from_Rattlesnake_Ridge.JPG
|Trail Number=USFS #26
                    | City = Erwin
|Park=Rock Creek Recreation Area
                    | State = Tennessee
|City=Erwin
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
|Land Owner=Cherokee National Forest
                    | Difficulty Rating = Hard
|Trail Marking=None
                    | Hike Time = 6
|Trail Use=Hiking, Camping, Hunting
                    | Distance = 6-8
|Trail Features=Vistas, Mountains
                    | Elevation Gain = ~2500
|Difficulty Rating=Hard
                    | High Point = ~4850
|Hike Time=6 hrs
                    | Latitude = N36°08.189
|Trail Distance=3.524 mi
                    | Longitude = W82°20.284
|Round Trip Distance=7.048 mi
                    | Medical = Erwin, TN
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|High Point=4,855 Ft
                    | googlemap =
|Low Point=2,424 ft
<googlemap lat="36.136490" lon="-82.338066"  zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
|Elevation Gain=2,431 Ft
36.136490,-82.338066,Rattlesnake Ridge
|Elevation Loss=0 Ft
</googlemap>
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.13821, -82.35028
|Trailhead location=36.13999, -82.34217
}}
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
{{Trail Map}}
 
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
 
'''NOTICE: Rock Creek Recreation Area is closed to camping (Jan 20, 2012 - Mar 20, 2014); however, the hiking trails are open per ranger.''' <br>Prior alert was ''Trees killed by Hemlock Wooly Adelgid have created a safety hazard.  These trees along with other dead and damaged trees are being removed. The area will reopen in the spring.''  But this alert has been removed.


__TOC__
== 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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== 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? -->
Rattlesnake Ridge is USFS #26 Trail.  Out-and-back hike starting at Rock Creek Recreation Area parking lot.  Proceed to the back of the campground to the trailhead common with Rock Creek Falls. Take the split along an old road for about a mile over to Dick Creek Gap - a junction of several trails and old roads. Head up the ridgeline into the Unaka Mountain Wilderness (sign seen after 100 yards) to the top at the Pleasant Gardens Overlook on Unaka Mountain.  When you see spruce trees, you are near the top where all the highest mountains in Unicoi County are visible.
Rattlesnake Ridge is USFS #26 Trail.  Out-and-back hike starting at Rock Creek Recreation Area parking lot.  Proceed to the back of the campground area (behind the tent camping section) to the trailhead common with [[Rock Creek Falls]]. Cross the footbridge to the left. Take the split along an old road for about a mile over to Dick Creek Gap - a junction of several trails and old roads. Head up the ridgeline into the Unaka Mountain Wilderness (sign seen after 100 yards) to the top at the Pleasant Gardens Overlook on Unaka Mountain.  When you see spruce trees, you are near the top where all the highest mountains in Unicoi County are visible.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==
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==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.-->
Rock Creek Campground is open May 1 through November 1.  Campground gates are closed from 10 PM until 7 AM.  If closed, then add a mile to hike in from the main gate.  Day use area fee is $2 per car. Permit must be visibly displayed in vehicle.  Wilderness designated area, thus group size is limited to 14 people.
Rock Creek Campground is open May through November (check USFS website below for exact dates).  Campground gates are closed from 10 PM until 7 AM.  If closed, then add a mile to hike in from the main gate.  Day use area fee is $2 per car. Permit must be visibly displayed in vehicle.  Wilderness designated area, thus group size is limited to 14 people.


For more information, see [[http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110804&ttype=recarea&recid=34978&actid=29&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=100000000000000&pnavid=null&cid=FSE_003693&pname=Unaka+Mountain+Zone+-+Rock+Creek+Recreation+Area Forest Service webpage]].
For more information, see [[https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/recarea/?recid=34978 Forest Service webpage]].


== Misc. Information ==
== Misc. Information ==
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Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a 6 ft or shorter leash.
Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a 6 ft or shorter leash.
== 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="36.136490" lon="-82.337" type="terrain" zoom="14" width="725" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Rattlesnake_Ridge_Trail.kml
(G) 36.136490,-82.338066,Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead
(G) 36.13425, -82.31113,Pleasant Gardens Overlook
</googlemap>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Ideally we would have a picture of the trailhead to help people know when they found it -->
{{Map Marker
<!-- Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
|Icon Type=Point of interest
Image:Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead.jpg|Trailhead with Rock Creek Falls
|Marker Title=Pleasant Gardens Overlook
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Marker Location=36.13425, -82.31113
</gallery>
}}
 
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories it should belong to. -->
[[Category:Tennessee]] [[Category:Hard]] [[Category:Hiking]]  [[Category:Dog Friendly]]

Latest revision as of 10:12, 19 September 2021

Rattlesnake Ridge

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View from Rattlesnake Ridge.JPG
Trail Number USFS #26
Park Rock Creek Recreation Area
Land Owner Cherokee National Forest
Located Erwin, Tennessee
Trail Marking None
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingCampingHunting

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

VistasMountains

Difficulty Rating Hard
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 6 hrs0.375 Days <br />360 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 3.524 mi5.671 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 7.048 mi11.343 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type In-and-Out
Low / High Point 2,424 ft808 Yards <br />738.835 Meters <br />4,855 Ft1,618.333 Yards <br />1,479.804 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 2,431 Ft740.969 Meters <br /> / (0 Ft0 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days 1 logged hikes (0 recent)
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list 2 trails / 13.3 mi of trail
Parking 36° 8' 17.56" N, 82° 21' 1.01" W Map
Trailhead 36° 8' 23.96" N, 82° 20' 31.81" W Map
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Trail Overview[edit]

Located in Cherokee National Forest, a steep hike to outstanding views of the mountains.

How to get there[edit]

From Erwin, TN

  1. Take Exit 36 off I-26.
  2. Turn left on unnamed road across the interstate to intersection with Tenn. 107 in Erwin.
  3. Turn right on Tenn. 107 for about a mile.
  4. Turn left on Tenn. 395 (USFS sign to Beauty Spot).
  5. Proceed 3.2 miles.
  6. Turn left into the USFS Rock Creek Recreation Area.
  7. Park near restrooms at Picnic Area.

Same as for Rock Creek Falls trail

Route Description[edit]

Rattlesnake Ridge is USFS #26 Trail. Out-and-back hike starting at Rock Creek Recreation Area parking lot. Proceed to the back of the campground area (behind the tent camping section) to the trailhead common with Rock Creek Falls. Cross the footbridge to the left. Take the split along an old road for about a mile over to Dick Creek Gap - a junction of several trails and old roads. Head up the ridgeline into the Unaka Mountain Wilderness (sign seen after 100 yards) to the top at the Pleasant Gardens Overlook on Unaka Mountain. When you see spruce trees, you are near the top where all the highest mountains in Unicoi County are visible.

Typical Conditions[edit]

Being in wilderness-designated area and not heavily used, the trail may be a little overgrown but is well defined.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

Rock Creek Campground is open May through November (check USFS website below for exact dates). Campground gates are closed from 10 PM until 7 AM. If closed, then add a mile to hike in from the main gate. Day use area fee is $2 per car. Permit must be visibly displayed in vehicle. Wilderness designated area, thus group size is limited to 14 people.

For more information, see [Forest Service webpage].

Misc. Information[edit]

The Pleasant Gardens Overlook on Unaka Mountain is called that due to the large number of laurels in area. Beauty Spot can be seen in the distance. The overlook can be reached by forest service roads, but the last section is extremely rocky. (Busted the radiator on a sedan, so high clearance vehicle recommended.)

Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a 6 ft or shorter leash.

Photos[edit]