ClubWIKI:TopsList: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:59, 15 November 2017

A common question we hear is "What are your favorite hikes in the region?" so below are our top recommendations within different hiking objectives.

Grayson Highlands Twin Pinnacles - bags two high peaks - with huckleberries in Aug-Sept
Laurel Fork Gorge - large cascade water is probably most commonly led club hike over the years
Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - newly constructed trail to renovated fire tower

Doe River Gorge - follow an old railroad bed through two tunnels along Doe River
Lakeside Trail - hike around Bays Mountain Park reservior and into animal habitat area
South Holston Dam Spillway Trail - easy road down to lake shore - great place for skipping rocks
Twin Pinnacles or Rhododendron Trail at Grayson Highlands State Park in Aug-Sept for huckleberries (and ponies!)
Warriors Path State Park - All of their trails with the exception of Devil's Backbone are good for quick family hikes

See also the Easy Category page for more suggestions.

Carver's Gap to US19E - 13.4 miles with outstanding vistas and favored Overmountain Shelter
Massie Gap loop

Appalachian Trail - the TEHCC section boasts many two or more night trips of varying difficulties
Iron Mountain Trail in TN and the AT between Damascus and TN91 creates 45 mile/three night loop hike

These are hikes leading to or passing by waterfalls - not drive up views.

Laurel Fork Gorge - large cascade water is probably most commonly led club hike over the years
Virgin Falls, Crossville TN - Comes out of a cave, down 140' before disappearing into another cave at bottom
Little Stony Creek Falls - plunge and cascade waterfalls seen on hike up creek gorge - currently has some trail errosion to navigate
Margarette Falls - 60' cascading waterfall
Gentry Creek Falls - two tiered waterfall reached by couple mile hike up along creek
Ramsey Cascades, Great Smoky Mtn NP - highest waterfall accessible by trail in the Smokies
Buckeye Falls in Clarks Creek Recreation Area - tallest cascading waterfall in Tennessee

Big Bald (5516 ft) on the AT is the highest point in Unicoi County
Wilburn Ridge or Twin Pinnacles (5089 and 5068 feet) in Grayson Highlands State Park
AT - Little Rock Knob (4918 ft) on the AT in the Iron Mountain Gap to Carver's Gap section
Beartown Mountain (4689 ft) was suggested at the 2011 Spring Dinner Meeting
Blackstack Cliffs (4452 ft) up on Camp Creek Bald
Grassy Ridge (6160 ft) in Roan Highlands
Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - 360 degree view of several surrounding mountains

Unique things to see (or eat!) that depend on the time of year

Spring Wildflowers (Late April-Early May)
- AT: US 19E to Doll Flats - 3 miles each way to see many diverse species due to the elevation gain.
- AT - Little Rock Knob - pink lady slippers & painted trilliums in lower elevations to a carpet of trout lilies & large-flowered trilliums at top.
- Margarette Falls - Good/easy/short hike to pretty falls in addition to the flowers.
- Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area - Open field and woods along Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
- Laurel River Trail - Rails-to-Trail conversion near Hot Springs, NC with good variety of spring wildflowers.
Catawba Rhododendron
- Grassy Ridge - mid-June peak into August
- Rhododendron Gardens - June - Festival is typically third Saturday
Ramps
- On the way to Overmountain Barn Shelter in April
Huckleberry/Blueberry
- Grayson Highlands State Park - August to mid September
- On Roan balds on way to Grassy Ridge - Late August to mid September
Blackberry/raspberry
- Sinking Waters - Late June and July
- Fall Creek Loop Trail - Late June and July
Fall Color (peak is mid-October)
- Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower - 360 degree views from rennovated fire tower

@@ Line 59: / Line 59: @@
 **[[Margarette Falls]] - Good/easy/short hike to pretty falls in addition to the flowers.
 **[[Hampton Creek Cove State Natural Area]] - Open field and woods along Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
+**[[Laurel River Trail]] - Rails-to-Trail conversion near Hot Springs, NC with good variety of spring wildflowers.
 *Catawba Rhododendron
 **[[Grassy Ridge]] - mid-June peak into August