Lone Oak Trail: 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. -->
{{Trail
{{Infobox Trail
|Banner Image=File:Lone Oak Trail Dosser sign.JPG
                    | Image Name = placeholder.jpg
|City=Johnson City
                    | City = Johnson City
|Land Owner=Johnson City Parks & Rec
                    | State = Tennessee
|Trail Marking=Orange Rectangle
                    | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}}
|Trail Use=Hiking
                    | Difficulty Rating = Medium
|Trail Features=Vistas
                    | Hike Time = 3
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
                    | Distance = 3.8
|Hike Time=1 hr
                    | Elevation Gain = ~1,450
|Trail Distance=1.75 mi
                    | High Point = 3,280
|Round Trip Distance=3.50 mi
                    | Latitude = N36°15.7750
|Trail Type=In-and-Out
                    | Longitude = W082°21.9286
|High Point=3,295 ft
                    | Medical = Johnson City, TN
|Low Point=2,011 ft
<!-- DON'T EDIT THE GOOGLEMAP TAG -->
|Elevation Gain=1,271 ft
                    | googlemap =  
|Elevation Loss=0 ft
<googlemap lat="36.26292" lon="-82.36548"  zoom="9" width="270" type="map" height="180" selector="no" controls="small">
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
36.26295,-82.36542,Lone Oak Trail
|Parking location=36.2625, -82.3652
</googlemap>
|Trailhead location=36.26295, -82.36542
}}
}}
<!-- End Infobox template table-->
{{Trail Map|Other Trails=High Ridge Trail}}
 
The Lone Oak Trail is shown as the orange line, while [[High Ridge Trail]] is in blue.
<!-- Start of Main Page -->
__TOC__
 
== Trail Overview ==
== Trail Overview ==
<!-- 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. -->
<!-- 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. -->
Steep hike UP the backside of [[Buffalo Mountain Park]] to Tip-Top overlook for area views  
Steep hike UP (13.5% grade) the backside of [[Buffalo Mountain Park]] to Tip-Top overlook for area views  


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
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A few orange blazes are on the trail up near Tip-Top, but no markings observed on the relocation.
A few orange blazes are on the trail up near Tip-Top, but no markings observed on the relocation.


Several linear routes are available by staging a vehicle in the main or alternate park lots.  After hiking up on Lone Oak, continuing onto High Ridge, Fork Ridge over to the antennas, and down White Rock trails will provide more overlook views while covering just under five miles.
Several linear routes are available by staging a vehicle in the main or alternate park lots.  After hiking up on Lone Oak, continuing onto [[Trail connects to::High Ridge Trail]], [[Fork Ridge Trail]] over to the Towers, and down [[White Rock Trail]] will provide more overlook views while covering just under five miles.


== 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?  -->
This section of Buffalo Mountain Park suffered a fire in May 2008, thus most of the trail will have summertime views until the trees grow back.  Portions of the trail were relocated in 2007 as a path dug into the hillside, sometimes supported with rocks and logs.  If a “double track” refers to being wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side, then this trail is a single to a half track.  It narrows in place to only be as wide as a hiking boot.  Trekking poles are recommended to maintain your balance.  Would not suggest taking this trail is early spring as the dirt tread will be muddy and slippery.  Best time of year might be fall to see the surrounding mountain in full leaf color.
This section of Buffalo Mountain Park suffered a fire in May 2008, thus most of the trail will have summertime views until the trees grow back.  Portions of the trail were relocated in 2007 as a path dug into the hillside, sometimes supported with rocks and logs.  If a “double track” refers to being wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side, then this trail is a single to a half track.  It narrows in place to only be as wide as a hiking boot.  Trekking poles are recommended to maintain your balance.  Would not suggest taking this trail in early spring as the dirt tread will be muddy and slippery.  Best time of year might be fall to see the surrounding mountain in full leaf color.


==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.-->
No fees or permits required for Buffalo Mountain Park.
No fees or permits required.  This trail is not actually in Buffalo Mountain Park but passes through Cherokee National Forest and some private land to reach the park.
 
== After the Hike ==
<!-- Anywhere interesting to stop by since you're in the area!! -->


== 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? -->
The trail was rerouted by Tom Dosser, long-time hiker and supporter, when he was 77 years old, which added around 0.7 miles to the 1.2 miles shown on the park map.  However, I expect that the route is more achievable due to the many switchbacks.
The trail was rerouted by late Tom Dosser, long-time hiker and supporter, when he was 77 years old, which added around 0.7 miles to the 1.2 miles shown on the park map.  However, the route now is more achievable due to the many switchbacks.
 
== 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="36.264" lon="-82.358"  type="terrain" zoom="15" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/placeholder.kml
 
(A) 36.2625,-82.36520
Parking pull-off
(G) 36.26295,-82.36542
Trailhead
(E) 36.265786,-82.352345
Tip-Top
</googlemap>


== Photos ==
== Photos ==
<gallery>
{{Park trail gallery|Trail={{PAGENAME}}}}
<!-- Place any pictures from this trail below. Add a picture by typing Image:imagename.extension  -->
{{Map Marker
Image:placeholder.jpg
|Icon Type=Parking
<!-- Do not remove the end gallery code.-->
|Marker Title=Parking pull-off
</gallery>
|Marker Location=36.2625,-82.36520
 
}}
<!-- Finally add the trail to any Categories. Keep in mind categories are case sensitive. -->
{{Map Marker
[[Category: Tennessee]]  [[Category: Overlook]]  [[Category: Medium]]
|Icon Type=Trail sign
|Marker Title=Trailhead
|Marker Location=36.26295,-82.36542
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Overlook
|Marker Title=Tip-Top
|Marker Location=36.265786,-82.352345
}}
{{Map Marker
|Icon Type=Bench
|Marker Title=Fork Knob
|Marker Location=36.26883,-82.34725
}}

Latest revision as of 13:40, 19 September 2021

Lone Oak Trail

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Lone Oak Trail Dosser sign.JPG
Land Owner Johnson City Parks & Rec
Located Johnson City, Tennessee
Trail Marking Orange Rectangle
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

Hiking

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

Vistas

Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 1 hr0.0625 Days <br />60 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 1.75 mi2.816 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 3.50 mi5.633 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 2,011 ft670.333 Yards <br />612.953 Meters <br />3,295 ft1,098.333 Yards <br />1,004.316 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 1,271 ft387.401 Meters <br /> / (0 ft0 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list 8 trails / 7.2 mi of trail
Parking 36° 15' 45.00" N, 82° 21' 54.72" W Map
Trailhead 36° 15' 46.62" N, 82° 21' 55.51" W Map
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The Lone Oak Trail is shown as the orange line, while High Ridge Trail is in blue.

Trail Overview[edit]

Steep hike UP (13.5% grade) the backside of Buffalo Mountain Park to Tip-Top overlook for area views

How to get there[edit]

Within Johnson City:

  1. At I-26 Exit 24, take US-321/University Parkway west.
  2. Turn left/south at Cherokee Road and travel a couple of miles to the Cherokee Elementary School.
  3. Turn left/south onto Lone Oak Road, which becomes Dry Creek Road.
  4. After mile and half, small brown trailhead sign (see gallery) on right.
  5. Pull-off parking just past the sign.

Route Description[edit]

The trail begins along the creek, then quickly ascends to the ridgeline via twenty switchbacks (someone has written roman numerals on several). The path continues upward along or near the ridge. It passes a wooden “Lone Oak Tr” at an intersection with an unmarked and unnamed trail heading downhill. The path continues on a sidehill route up to a ridge junction, and then a sharp left up to Tip-Top overlook.

A few orange blazes are on the trail up near Tip-Top, but no markings observed on the relocation.

Several linear routes are available by staging a vehicle in the main or alternate park lots. After hiking up on Lone Oak, continuing onto High Ridge Trail, Fork Ridge Trail over to the Towers, and down White Rock Trail will provide more overlook views while covering just under five miles.

Typical Conditions[edit]

This section of Buffalo Mountain Park suffered a fire in May 2008, thus most of the trail will have summertime views until the trees grow back. Portions of the trail were relocated in 2007 as a path dug into the hillside, sometimes supported with rocks and logs. If a “double track” refers to being wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side, then this trail is a single to a half track. It narrows in place to only be as wide as a hiking boot. Trekking poles are recommended to maintain your balance. Would not suggest taking this trail in early spring as the dirt tread will be muddy and slippery. Best time of year might be fall to see the surrounding mountain in full leaf color.

Fees, Permits, etc.[edit]

No fees or permits required. This trail is not actually in Buffalo Mountain Park but passes through Cherokee National Forest and some private land to reach the park.

Misc. Information[edit]

The trail was rerouted by late Tom Dosser, long-time hiker and supporter, when he was 77 years old, which added around 0.7 miles to the 1.2 miles shown on the park map. However, the route now is more achievable due to the many switchbacks.

Photos[edit]