South Holston Dam: Difference between revisions
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== Maps == | == Maps == | ||
<!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. --> | <!-- You can place pictures, PDF's, links, or even create a Google map with your waypoints and place it here. --> | ||
< | <display_map center="36.5150,-82.0910" type="terrain" height="500" width="auto" zoom="14" gkml="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/South_Holston_Dam_spillway.kml"> | ||
36.52118,-82.09117~Small picnic area~ ~MarkerS.png | |||
Small picnic area | 36.5279,-82.0867~Large picnic area across dam~ ~MarkerS.png | ||
36.51741,-82.08995~Parking at trailhead~[[Image:South Holston Spillway Trailhead.JPG|150px]]~MarkerA.png | |||
Large picnic area across dam | 36.5,-82.0960~Spillway~[[Image:South_Holston_Spillway.JPG|150px]]~MarkerG.png | ||
36.5255,-82.0879~Visitors' center~ ~MarkerQ.png | |||
Parking at trailhead | </display_map> | ||
[[Image:South Holston Spillway Trailhead.JPG|150px]] | |||
Spillway | |||
[[Image:South_Holston_Spillway.JPG|150px]] | |||
Visitors' center | |||
</ | |||
== Photos == | == Photos == | ||
Revision as of 09:49, 29 August 2015
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Trail Overview
Probably better known as the South Holston Spillway Trail, this is an easy family hike with views of South Holston Lake.
How to get there
From Kingsport, TN
- Take I-81 north to Exit 69 (TN394/Blountville).
- Turn right/east onto TN394 and travel 12 miles (passing Bristol Motor Speedway).
- Take right/south onto US421 and travel 3 miles.
- Turn right/south onto Emmett Road (South Holston Dam sign) and travel 1 mile.
- Veer right/south onto Holston View Dam Road and travel 1 mile.
- At base of dam, take sharp right onto South Holston Dam Road up the right side.
- Pass a small picnic area on left (Note: This is not the main, large picnic area near the visitors' center.)
- Parking is at the small gravel pulloff on the right before reaching the top of the dam.
Space for half dozen correctly parked vehicles, else park uphill no grassy shoulder or back down in picnic area.
Route Description
Starting at the parking area, walk past boulder and cable barrier onto gravel roadway. Follow road south up and over ridge to walk along the lake shore until it ends at the spillway. Return by same path. No blazes or signs.
| Miles | Elevation | South Holston Spillway |
|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | 1640 | Trailhead |
| 0.9 | 1900 | Highpoint |
| 1.7 | 1760 | Spillway |
Family idea: When the water level is down, the shore below the spillway has lots of smooth, flat shale rocks, which are great for skipping across the lake. Challenge the kids to a "number of skips" contest.
Typical Conditions
Shaded gravel road, generally dual tracks, thus suitable for bikes or walking. Forest Service appears to run a bushhog up and back to keep the grass cut low.
Fees, Permits, etc.
No fee to use.
Before/After the Hike
Visitors' Center on north side of the dam offers a nice view of the lake - and very basic bathroom facilities.
Misc. Information
The reservoir is created by a TVA dam on the South Fork Holston River. Construction of the dam was started in 1942, but halted due to WWII, and finally completed in 1950. The earth-and-rock fill dam is 285 feet high and 1,600 feet long. The purpose of the spillway is to protect the main earthen dam in case the lake level rises quickly.
Maps
Photos
Spillway viewed from upon rim
Viewed from shore
Lake as seen from along trail
South Holston Spillway Trail
Trailhead at parking lot
