Stamping Ground Ridge Trail: Difference between revisions

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Good news is that the lower end has been rerouted on public land to Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road).   
Good news is that the lower end has been rerouted on public land to Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road).   


The trail is in the Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area.  This description starts at the upper trailhead at the parking lot.  Just past the rocks which block the trail to vehicle use are splendid views of the nearby mountains and valleys.  The trail is not blazed, but easy to follow, gently descending an open ridge to a gap where the [[Limestone Cove Trail]] (FS Trail #30) bears left at 0.4 miles.  The Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues down the mountain.  At around 2.75-3 miles, there is an obvious intersection with a new yellow-blazed trail which connects to the Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road). The "old" Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues forward where it eventually dead ends into private property.  The new trail process roughly 3/4th of a mile to the gravel Forest Service Road.  Here a trail sign designates the Stamping Ground Ridge trailhead.  
The trail is in the Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area.  This description starts at the upper trailhead at the parking lot.  Just past the rocks which block the trail to vehicle use are splendid views of the nearby mountains and valleys.  The trail is not blazed, but easy to follow, gently descending an open ridge to a gap where the [[Limestone Cove Trail]] (FS Trail #30) bears left at 0.4 miles.  The Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues down the mountain.  At around 2.75-3 miles, there is an obvious intersection with a new yellow-blazed trail which connects to the Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road). The "old" Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues forward where it eventually dead ends into private property.  The new trail proceeds roughly 3/4th of a mile to the gravel Forest Service Road.  Here a trail sign designates the Stamping Ground Ridge trailhead.  


A loop hike could be created by parking across from the picnic grounds at the Limestone Cove Recreation Area.  Hike 0.3 mile on the gravel Rocky Branch Road to the [[Limestone Cove Trail]].  Proceed up 3.8 miles to intersect the Stamping Ground Ridge Trail.  Turn right turn  and hike 0.4 miles to the overlook and parking area. (Enjoy lunch or a snack!)  Head downhill on the above Stamping Ground Ridge Trail (~3.75 miles) to the gravel forest service road.  Close the loop by walking about 1.5 miles back, passing the [[Limestone Cove Trail]] to the original parking spot.  Reported as a pleasant three hour hike – but with 2200-2300 feet of elevation gain and loss.
A 9-10 mile loop hike could be created by parking across from the picnic grounds at the Limestone Cove Recreation Area.  Walk 0.3 mile on the gravel Rocky Branch Road to the [[Limestone Cove Trail]].  Proceed up 3.8 miles to intersect the Stamping Ground Ridge Trail.  Turn right and hike 0.4 miles to the overlook and parking area. (Enjoy lunch or a snack!)  Head downhill on the above Stamping Ground Ridge Trail (~3.75 miles) to the gravel forest service road.  Close the loop by walking about 1.5 miles back, passing the [[Limestone Cove Trail]] to the original parking spot.  Reported as a pleasant afternoon hike – but with 2200-2300 feet of elevation gain and loss.


== Typical Conditions ==
== Typical Conditions ==

Revision as of 23:06, 24 December 2011


File:Placeholder.jpg
Trail Name Stamping Ground Ridge Trail
Nearest City Limestone Cove
State Tennessee
Trail Marking {{{Marking}}}
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr dog.png Dnr horse.png
Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking Time 22 Hours <br />0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br />
Distance, round-trip ~3.75"~" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property.
Climb/Descent Elevation ~2300"~" is not declared as a valid unit of measurement for this property. / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 47004,700 Feet <br />1,566.667 Yards <br />1,432.56 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Erwin, TN
Trip Reports Click Here
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Trail Overview

Hike up to overlook on Unaka Mountain. Hike in June for rhododendron in bloom and fall for leaf color.

How to get there

From Johnson City, TN

To lower trailhead

  1. South on I-26 to Exit 32 for TN-173/Unicoi Road.
  2. Turn left/east under interstate and head 0.5 mile.
  3. Turn right/south at tee onto TN-173 for 0.7 mile.
  4. Turn left/east onto TN-107 and head out of town for 3.5 miles. The picnic area is to the left, along North Indian Creek.
  5. Turn right/south onto gravel Forest Service Road 4343.

If gate is open, then drive 1.5 miles to end of FS road to new marked trailhead. If gate is locked closed, then park in pulloff and hike to trailhead.

To upper trailhead

  1. Complete 1-4 for above route, but
  2. Continue on TN-107 for another four miles.
  3. Turn right/west onto first paved, then gravel Forest Road 230 (Unaka Mountain Road/Red Fork Road).
  4. Wind around for around six miles up Unaka Mountain.
  5. Parking lot and trailhead are on right.

Route Description

Good news is that the lower end has been rerouted on public land to Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road).

The trail is in the Unaka Mountain Wilderness Area. This description starts at the upper trailhead at the parking lot. Just past the rocks which block the trail to vehicle use are splendid views of the nearby mountains and valleys. The trail is not blazed, but easy to follow, gently descending an open ridge to a gap where the Limestone Cove Trail (FS Trail #30) bears left at 0.4 miles. The Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues down the mountain. At around 2.75-3 miles, there is an obvious intersection with a new yellow-blazed trail which connects to the Forest Service Road 4343 (Rocky Branch Road). The "old" Stamping Ground Ridge Trail continues forward where it eventually dead ends into private property. The new trail proceeds roughly 3/4th of a mile to the gravel Forest Service Road. Here a trail sign designates the Stamping Ground Ridge trailhead.

A 9-10 mile loop hike could be created by parking across from the picnic grounds at the Limestone Cove Recreation Area. Walk 0.3 mile on the gravel Rocky Branch Road to the Limestone Cove Trail. Proceed up 3.8 miles to intersect the Stamping Ground Ridge Trail. Turn right and hike 0.4 miles to the overlook and parking area. (Enjoy lunch or a snack!) Head downhill on the above Stamping Ground Ridge Trail (~3.75 miles) to the gravel forest service road. Close the loop by walking about 1.5 miles back, passing the Limestone Cove Trail to the original parking spot. Reported as a pleasant afternoon hike – but with 2200-2300 feet of elevation gain and loss.

Typical Conditions

Fees, Permits, etc.

No permit or fee. The picnic area is day use only.

After the Hike

Misc. Information

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

Maps

<googlemap lat="36.14450" lon="-82.29260" type="terrain" zoom="15" height="600" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Placeholder_trail.kml (S) 36.176317,-82.298536 Limestone Cove picnic area (G) 36.17095,-82.29512 Locked gate (G) 36.16623, -82.29381 Lower trailhead at FS road (G) 36.14422, -82.28556 Intersect Limestone Cove Trail 36.14258, -82.29271 Parking lot at FR230 – Upper trailhead </googlemap>

Photos

  • Placeholder.jpg
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