Cascade Trail

Cascade Trail (log in to submit report)
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Park	Buffalo Mountain Park
Land Owner	Johnson City Parks & Rec
Located	Johnson City, TennesseeLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking	White
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail
FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail
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:	1.96 mi3.154 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 3.92 mi6.309 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type	Segment
Low / High Point	2,269 ft756.333 Yards <br />691.591 Meters <br /> / 3,177 ft1,059 Yards <br />968.35 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	956 ft291.389 Meters <br /> / (-54 ft-16.459 Meters <br />) – North-to-South
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	7 trails / 6.7 mi of trail
Parking	36° 16' 43.14" N, 82° 20' 45.96" W Map
Trailhead	36° 16' 35.87" N, 82° 20' 47.29" W Map
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The Cascade Trail and Fork Ridge Trail are both in black, while High Ridge Trail is the blue line.

Trail Overview

Located in Buffalo Mountain Park, this long trail winds around on the western slopes of the park. It was significantly impacted by the May 2008 wildfire.

How to get there

Refer to the “How to get there” instructions on the Buffalo Mountain Park page. The trail can be reached from several places, including Hartsell Hollow and the picnic area.

Route Description

The white-blazed Cascade Trail is part of the "Grand Circuit" loop around the park. For this trail wiki, we have defined its lower trailhead at Hartsell Hollow. Cross the Catbird Creek and head uphill. The trail splits with an alternative upper spur loop. The path reaches a tee - right for an access point and information sign in the picnic area - or left to continue to follow the trail along the hillside. A sharp turn with a couple of steps up reaches a spur trail right to Huckleberry Knob, and an unmarked path tumbling down from the left which is a shortcut from Ladyslipper Loop. Cascade Trail continues forward on level grade. Fork Knob Trail heads off left. After another half mile through the burn zone, the untouched forest is entered at the small Cascade trickling down some sandstone rock is crossed. The path continues to wind around and up the slope into another burn zone at Stairstep Ridge. This trail wiki is then defining the upper trailhead at the Fork Knob bench.

Typical Conditions

This trail has a well defined dirt and sandstone path, but was significantly impacted by the 2008 wildfire, thus now winds through the burn area. Be careful of the remaining small blowdowns which are still falling across the trail. A couple of large (8+") blowdowns were also observed, which will require professional removal. Briars are sprouting along the path.

Fees, Permits, etc.

No fees or permits required.

Photos

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