Lake Keokee Loop Trail: Difference between revisions

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(Updated based on hike experience)
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                     | City = Appalachia
                     | City = Appalachia
                     | State = Virginia
                     | State = Virginia
                     | Marking = *
                     | Marking = Yellow Blaze
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Fishing}}
                     | Trail Use = {{Hike}} {{Dogs}} {{Fishing}}
                     | Difficulty Rating = Easy
                     | Difficulty Rating = Easy
                     | Hike Time = 3
                     | Hike Time = 3
                     | Distance = 3.7
                     | Distance = 3.7
                     | Elevation Gain = *
                     | Elevation Gain = 70
                     | High Point = 2,238
                     | High Point = 2,315
                     | Latitude = 36.849957
                     | Latitude = 36.849957
                     | Longitude = -82.861717
                     | Longitude = -82.861717
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== 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. -->
Easy hike through dense woodlands around the manmade lake.  Good for bird watching or wildflowers in season.  
Easy hike through woodlands around the manmade lake.  Good for bird watching or wildflowers in season.  
 


== How to get there ==
== How to get there ==
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#Turn left/east onto SR-623 for half mile.
#Turn left/east onto SR-623 for half mile.
#Turn left/east onto SR-876 and proceed one mile to Lake Keokee Recreation Area.
#Turn left/east onto SR-876 and proceed one mile to Lake Keokee Recreation Area.
Trailheads at parking lot are NOT marked.  Heading west immediately crosses a bridge, while the east side loop begin with the walkway to the observation pier.


== Route Description==
== Route Description==
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
<!-- Detailed description of the route. Is there any side trails that are worth traveling? -->
Lightly used, hardpacked trail around the lake – crossing the dam.  In June, flame azaleas can be seen in bloom.
Lightly used, hardpacked trail winding around the lake – crossing the dam.  In June, flame azaleas can be seen in bloom.


Olinger Gap Trail (1 mile) connects the Keokee Lake Loop Trail to the Stone Mountain Trail.
Olinger Gap Trail (1 mile) connects the Keokee Lake Loop Trail to the Stone Mountain Trail.


== 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. -->
1/3/2012 phone call with Clinch Ranger - Since the severe December 2009 ice storm, a couple of volunteer crews have cleared the trail of blowdowns.  While the trail is not listed as approved for mountain bikes, the ranger stated that a rider in December 2011 reported that the trail around the lake was clear - except for dense rhododendron growth of around 100 yards near junction with Olinger Gap Trail.
The district has cleared the trail from severe damaged caused by a December 2009 ice storm.  The trail sometimes follows old fire roads or wanders just above the lake.  There are some dense rhododendron growths.  


==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
==Fees, Permits, etc. ==
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<!-- 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. -->
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.849957" lon="-82.861717" type="terrain" zoom="15" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.849957" lon="-82.861717" type="terrain" zoom="15" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Lake Keokee Trail.kml
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Lake Keokee Trail.kml
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Olinger_Gap_Trail_partial.kml
http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Olinger_Gap_Trail_partial.kml

Revision as of 16:57, 1 December 2012


File:Placeholder.jpg
Trail Name Lake Keokee Loop Trail
Nearest City Appalachia
State Virginia
Trail Marking Yellow Blaze
Trail Use/Features Dnr hiking.png Dnr dog.png Dnr fishing.png
Difficulty Rating Easy
Hiking Time 33 Hours <br />0.188 Days <br />180 Min <br />
Distance, round-trip 3.73.7 mi <br />5.955 km <br />
Climb/Descent Elevation 7070 Feet <br />21.336 Meters <br /> / {{{Elevation Loss}}}"{{{Elevation Loss}}}" is not a number.
High Point 2,3152,315 Feet <br />771.667 Yards <br />705.612 Meters <br />
Nearest Medical Big Stone Gap, VA
Trip Reports Click Here
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Trail Overview

Easy hike through woodlands around the manmade lake. Good for bird watching or wildflowers in season.

How to get there

From Kingsport, TN

  1. North on US-23 to Big Stone Gap.
  2. Wander thru town on US-23 and continue to Appalachia.
  3. Left/north onto VA-68 (Inman Street) for six miles.
  4. Continue straight onto SR-606 a couple of miles.
  5. Turn left/east onto SR-623 for half mile.
  6. Turn left/east onto SR-876 and proceed one mile to Lake Keokee Recreation Area.

Trailheads at parking lot are NOT marked. Heading west immediately crosses a bridge, while the east side loop begin with the walkway to the observation pier.

Route Description

Lightly used, hardpacked trail winding around the lake – crossing the dam. In June, flame azaleas can be seen in bloom.

Olinger Gap Trail (1 mile) connects the Keokee Lake Loop Trail to the Stone Mountain Trail.

Typical Conditions

The district has cleared the trail from severe damaged caused by a December 2009 ice storm. The trail sometimes follows old fire roads or wanders just above the lake. There are some dense rhododendron growths.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Open year-round. No fees or permits are required for day hiking. Managed by the Clinch Ranger District (Wise, VA) Tel: 276-328-2931 (M-F 8AM-4:30PM)

After the Hike

Misc. Information

Forest Service usda.gov trail page and fed.us trail webpage

Lake Keokee was created by damming the Powell River in 1975 to provide recreation opportunities. No gasoline motors are allowed on the lake, so it is quiet as fishing is done from canoes or flatboats.

Maps

<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.849957" lon="-82.861717" type="terrain" zoom="15" scale="yes" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png">

http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Lake Keokee Trail.kml http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Olinger_Gap_Trail_partial.kml

(A) 36.85485,-82.86265 Parking at recreation area </googlemap>

Photos

  • Placeholder.jpg
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