Devil's Backbone: Difference between revisions

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|Park=Warriors' Path State Park
|Park=Warriors' Path State Park
|Trail Marking=Light Blue
|Trail Marking=Light Blue
|Trail Use=Hiking, Fishing
|Trail Use=Hiking, Geocaching, Fishing
|Trail Features=Vistas, Rivers
|Trail Features=Vistas, Rivers, Lakes
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Difficulty Rating=Medium
|Hike Time=2 hrs
|Hike Time=2 hrs
Line 12: Line 12:
|High Point=1,535 ft
|High Point=1,535 ft
|Low Point=1,267 ft
|Low Point=1,267 ft
|Elevation Gain=285 ft
|Elevation Gain=285'
|Elevation Loss=275 ft
|Elevation Loss=275'
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Elevation Change Direction=West-to-East
|Parking location=36.50279, -82.48267
|Parking location=36.50279, -82.48267

Revision as of 14:26, 2 December 2018

Devil's Backbone

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Devils backbone view from lone cedar lookout.jpg
Park Warriors' Path State Park
Located Kingsport, TennesseeLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking Light Blue
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingGeocachingFishing

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

VistasRiversLakes

Difficulty Rating Medium
Hiking TimeTime from car and back. Includes any time hiking to access this trail. 2 hrs0.125 Days <br />120 Min <br /> round trip
Distance: 1.2 mi1.931 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 2.4 mi3.862 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 1,267 ft422.333 Yards <br />386.182 Meters <br /> / 1,535 ft511.667 Yards <br />467.868 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 285'86.868 Meters <br /> / (275'83.82 Meters <br />) – West-to-East
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days 6 logged hikes (0 recent)
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list 24 trails / 18.4 mi of trail
Parking 36° 30' 10.04" N, 82° 28' 57.61" W Map
Trailhead 36° 30' 9.90" N, 82° 28' 56.64" W Map
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The path for Devil's Backbone Trail is shown in red below, while Fall Creek Loop is shown in dark blue for reference.

Trail Overview

Located in Warriors Path State Park. Nice hike nearby for those in Kingsport. Good views of the Fort Patrick Henry Lake from the top of the ridge.

How to get there

From Kingsport, TN

  1. Take Fort Henry Drive to left at traffic light onto Hemlock Rd.
  2. Make the hard left right in front of Warriors Path Park entrance to follow the road onto Fall Creek Rd.
  3. Cross the bridge over Patrick Henry Lake.
  4. Park at the first pull-off on the right at the golf cart crossing. (Space for 4-6 vehicles - leave gap for golf carts)
  5. Trail begins on the back corner of #17 tee crossing the small bridge with trail sign.

Route Description

Blue blazed park trail. Almost all of the 300 ft elevation gain happens in the first half mile of the trail as you head straight up the ridge. There are two overlooks as you go. One at #5 tee box on the golf course, a good turn around point for families and those not interested in the rest of the climb. The Rocky Point Overlook (the trail high point on the ridge) is another 0.35 miles past the #5 tee. After the ascent the trail drops back to lake level and is steeper than the initial ascent, something to remember for a return trip.

Mileage Devil's Backbone Trail
-0.04 Parking along Fall Creek Road
0.00 Trailhead, at sign and bridge
0.05 Veer left up the hill (not straight which is a fishing spur trail)
0.35 Overlook at Tee #5
0.50 Lone Cedar Overlook
0.6 Turn along shore of lake inlet
0.75 Leave lake area and begin following Fall Creek upstream.
0.8 Fall Creek Falls (rapids)
0.85 Dark blue double blaze shows trail spur leading up the hill. This alternate route is not being maintained as the northern bridge over Fall Creek was washed out several years ago - thus dead end. Passes a few former abandoned home sites.
0.9 Trail bridge over Fall Creek
1.0 Stone rubble from former home chimney along trail
1.2 Intersection with Fall Creek Loop Trail

The Devil's Backbone Trail intersects with the Fall Creek Loop Trail for a nice 0.92 mile1.481 km <br /> walk around old pasture lands past several old home sites through gentler hills.

Typical Conditions

While the park keeps the trails fairly clear of blowdowns, the trend is rutted and washed out on steep inclines. The path through lowlands by the creek can get muddy after a rain or flood in the spring deluges.

Fees, Permits, etc.

None needed, just park and go.

After the Hike

Misc. Information

Former road to the Childress Family Ferry across Holston River.

Several tales surround this trail. Tales of a little girl with an aching tooth crossed this path to reach a dentist within the current day golf course. Another tale of two boys stealing dynamite from the nearby dam construction. After a successful day of dynamite fishing the boys bring home their haul to excited parents. The parents take the fish and leave for town to sell the catch, the boys accidentally catch the dynamite on fire near the fireplace destroying the home.

Elevation Profile

WPSP Devil's Backbone Trail profile.JPG

Photos

  • Footbridge at Fall Creek Road trailhead

  • Trailhead sign at intersection with Fall Creek Loop

  • Fall Creek Falls (cascades)

  • Bridge over Fall Creek

  • Collapsed cabin along spur trail - legendary home of the dynamite brothers?

  • Standing cabin along spur trail

  • Shed near standing cabin

  • Old water powered mill?

  • Foundation remnants

  • Fireplace foundation remnants?

  • View from Lone Cedar Overlook

  • View of Fall Creek

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