Limestone Cove Trail

File:Placeholder.jpg Trail Name Limestone Cove Trail Nearest City Unicoi State Tennessee Trail Marking Trail Use/Features Difficulty Rating Medium Hiking Time 44 Hours <br />0.25 Days <br />240 Min <br /> Distance, round-trip 7.67.6 mi <br />12.231 km <br /> Climb/Descent Elevation 22002,200 Feet <br />670.56 Meters <br /> / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number. High Point 45204,520 Feet <br />1,506.667 Yards <br />1,377.696 Meters <br /> Nearest Medical Erwin, TN Trip Reports Click Here Loading map... {"type":"ROADMAP","minzoom":false,"maxzoom":false,"types":["ROADMAP","SATELLITE","HYBRID","TERRAIN"],"mappingservice":"googlemaps3","width":"270px","height":"180px","centre":false,"title":"","label":"","icon":"","lines":[],"polygons":[],"circles":[],"rectangles":[],"copycoords":false,"static":false,"visitedicon":"","wmsoverlay":false,"zoom":8,"layers":[],"controls":["zoom"],"zoomstyle":"DEFAULT","typestyle":"DEFAULT","autoinfowindows":false,"resizable":false,"kmlrezoom":false,"poi":true,"cluster":false,"clustergridsize":60,"clustermaxzoom":20,"clusterzoomonclick":true,"clusteraveragecenter":true,"clusterminsize":2,"imageoverlays":[],"kml":[],"gkml":[],"searchmarkers":"","fullscreen":false,"scrollwheelzoom":false,"locations":[{"text":"","title":"","link":"","lat":36.1763169999999973924786900170147418975830078125,"lon":-82.2985359999999985802787705324590206146240234375,"icon":""}]} Show Large Map

Trail Overview

Route into Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area. Hike in spring for wildflowers and fall for leaf color. May also be called the Rocky Branch Trail for the stream it follows uphill.

How to get there

From Johnson City, TN

1. South on I-26 to Exit 32 for TN-173/Unicoi Road.
2. Turn left under interstate and head 0.5 mile.
3. Turn right at tee onto TN-173 for 0.7 mile.
4. Turn left onto TN-107 and head out of town for 3.5 miles.

The picnic area is to the left, along North Indian Creek. A new trailhead is on the right at the former campground site.

Route Description

The Limestone Cove Trail (FS Trail #30) climbs 2200’ in 3.8 miles from the recreation area to Stamping Ground Ridge. From the new trailhead at a locked gate, follow an old Forest Service Road 4343 for 0.3 miles to a sharp right onto a wide, grassy trail. Cross Rocky Branch stream at 1.2 miles, then climb steadily with some steep sections up old logging roads through regrowth hardwoods and rhododendron. In a pretty gap covered with red spruce, reach a junction with the Stamping Ground Ridge Trail at 3.8 miles. A right turn leads 0.4 miles to the Stamping Ground Ridge overlook and parking area on Forest Road 230 (Unaka Mountain Road). This last leg has the views of the nearby mountains and valleys.

Typical Conditions

The trail is generally in good condition. Watch closely for the blue blazes as old logging road crossings could lead up a dead end.

Fees, Permits, etc.

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.

Misc. Information

The Forest Service webpage for the picnic area [1].

Maps

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Photos

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