Rattlesnake Ridge
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Trail Overview
Steep hike to outstanding views of the mountains.
How to get there
From Erwin, TN
- Take Exit 36 off I-26.
- Turn left on unnamed road across the interstate to intersection with Tenn. 107 in Erwin.
- Turn right on Tenn. 107 for about a mile.
- Turn left on Tenn. 395 (USFS sign to Beauty Spot).
- Proceed 3.2 miles.
- Turn left into the USFS Rock Creek Recreation Area.
- Park near restrooms at Picnic Area.
Same as for Rock Creek Falls
Route Description
Rattlesnake Ridge is USFS #26 Trail. Out-and-back hike starting at Rock Creek Recreation Area parking lot. Proceed to the back of the campground, and onto Dick Creek Gap - a junction of several trails and old roads. Take the marked trailhead (sign says 3.6 miles) up the ridgeline into the Unaka Mountain Wilderness to the top at the Pleasant Gardens Overlook on Unaka Mountain.
Typical Conditions
Being in wilderness-designated area and not heavily used, the trail may be a little overgrown but is well defined.
Misc. Information
The Pleasant Gardens Overlook on Unaka Mountain is called that due to the large number of laurels in area. Beauty Spot can be seen on the next ridge from the overlook. It can be reached by forest service roads, but the last section is extremely rocky. (Busted the radiator on a sedan, so high clearance vehicle recommended.)
Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a leash.
Maps
<googlemap version="0.9" lat="36.136490" lon="-82.338066" type="terrain" zoom="15" width="725" icons="http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/marker{label}.png"> http://tehcc.org/clubwiki/kml/Rattlesnake_Ridge_Trail.kml
(G) 36.136490,-82.338066,Rattlesnake Ridge Trailhead (G) 36.13425 -82.31113,Pleasant Gardens Overlook </googlemap>
Photos
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