Wilbur Dam Rd to TN91

Wilbur Dam Rd to TN91 (log in to submit report)
Trail System	Appalachian Trail
Land Owner	Cherokee National Forest
Located	Erwin, Tennessee
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.	13.25 hrs0.828 Days <br />795 Min <br /> round trip
Distance:	16.1 mi25.91 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 32.2 mi51.821 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	2,239 ft746.333 Yards <br />682.447 Meters <br /> / 4,185 ft1,395 Yards <br />1,275.588 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent.	3,365 ft1,025.652 Meters <br /> / (2,114 ft644.347 Meters <br />) – South-to-North
Trip ReportsFrom user "hiked it" submissions<br />Recent is within last 90 days	No hikes logged yet
NearbyWithin 5 mi<br />Click link to view list	4 trails / 24.5 mi of trail
Parking	36° 19' 42.82" N, 82° 6' 41.80" W Map
Trailhead	36° 19' 42.82" N, 82° 6' 41.80" W Map
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Special Notice
Recently, a camper at the Iron Mountain Shelter on 7/6 received repeated harassment from a black bear. Stays at the shelter are not advised until further notice. Please consider other locations in your trip planning.

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Route Description

(Trail South > North)

Wilbur Dam Road

This is the last access point to the Trail before the long ridge walk along Iron Mountain. It can be reached from Stoney Creek via TN91 or from Elizabethton via Siam. The road is gated during the winter approximately 2 miles from the Trail.

Vandeventer Shelter

Vandeventer Shelter (3510') is a concrete block shelter built by the United States Forest Service in 1961. It is located within the Big Laurel Branch Wilderness. Nearby are tremendous views of Watauga Lake.

Iron Mountain Shelter

Iron Mountain Shelter (4125') is a concrete block shelter built the United States Forest Service in 1960.

Uncle Nick Grindstaff Monument

This monument is the gravesite of hermit Nick Grindstaff (b. Dec 26, 1851, d. July 22, 1923). He lived a remote existence on Iron Mountain after being robbed and beaten out west. The chimney-like monument was constructed out of the remains of his cabin. Local folklore tell that when locals tried to carry out the body of Nick, his dog was so protective that they had to overpower it. It was later laid to rest with Nick. Past hikers who have camped at the site have claimed to hear the haunting howls of the dog in the night.

Iron Mountain Trail

The Iron Mountain Trail does not intersect with the AT, but can be reached by continuing east on Cross Mountain Road from the TN91 trailhead. The IMT runs along the eastern rim of Shady Valley into Damascus.

TN91

Located at the ridge crest of Cross Mountain between Stoney Creek and Shady Valley at Osborne Farm. There are two parking areas at the highway - space for three vehicles on north side and 10-12 on the south by the Cherokee National Forest information display.

Recent Conditions

1/21/2014 - Reports are in of repeated vandalism at the Cross Mountain trailhead. Either do not leave vehicles here for extended periods of time or hide/lockup/take with you any valuables from your vehicle.

Photos

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  Uncle Nick Grindstaff monument

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