Old Homestead Trail


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Trail Name	Old Homestead Trail
Trail Number	USFS Trail #603
Park	Cherokee National Forest
Nearest City	Butler
State	Tennessee
Trail Marking	Blue Blaze
Trail Use/Features
Difficulty Rating	Medium
Hiking Time	1.5 Hours0.0938 Days <br />90 Min <br />
Distance: round-trip/trail only	2.3 Mi3.701 km <br /> / 2.3 Mi3.701 km <br />
Trail Type	Loop
Climb/Descent Elevation	550 Ft167.64 Meters <br /> /
High Point	25502,550 Feet <br />850 Yards <br />777.24 Meters <br />
Parking	36° 21' 31.50" N, 81° 58' 20.49" W
Trailhead	36° 21' 31.50" N, 81° 58' 20.49" W
Nearest Medical	Elizabethton
Trip Reports	Click Here

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Trail Overview

Travel through time while hiking through remnants of the past. Starting from the Sink Mountain Boat Launch parking area, this hike offers a glimpse of early settlement as the path winds through old stone fences and home sites. THIS TRAIL IS CURRENTLY IMPASSABLE BECAUSE OF MANY BLOWDOWNS FROM THE JULY 2016 WINDSTORM

How to get there

From Kingsport, TN:

Take I-26 south to Exit 249 for US-321 towards Elizabethton.
Turn right/south on US-19E/231 to Hampton.
Turn left/east on US-321 and proceed through Butler.
Turn right/east on TN-167/Doe Creek Road.
After 1.8 miles, turn right/south on gravel Sink Mountain Launch Road.
Proceed to the end of the gravel road to reach parking lot.

Route Description

From parking, follow trail to fork. To left will begin steady, sometimes steep ascent of Curtis Mountain to loop around and return on gentle grade through old homestead sites. For more gentle ascent, proceed right, but then steep descent.

Remember Leave No Trace and please do not disturb the homestead sites.

Miles	Elevation	Old Homestead Trail	Miles
0.0	2000	Trailhead at boat launch parking lot	2.6
0.1		Campsite beside lake	2.5
0.15		Fork in trail - head right along Dry Creek	2.45
0.5		Old homestead ruins	2.1
0.7		Old homestead ruins - proceed across open field	1.9
1.4		Reach gap, make sharp left uphill	1.2
1.7		Reach summit with lake views	0.9
1.9		Begin steep descent along ridgeline	0.7
2.4		Cross creek	0.2
2.4		Back at fork	2.45
2.6		Back at parking lot	0.0

Typical Conditions

Trail is not regularly maintained, but usually passible.

Fees, Permits, etc.

Located in Watauga Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. Office number is (423) 735-1500.

Boat ramp is open year round sunrise to sunset. USFS websites says there is a fee of $2 per vehicle per day or a Cherokee National Forest Pass for $30 per year. Also state fishing regulations apply to Watauga Lake.

Consider wearing blaze orange during hunting season.

After the Hike

Along US-231 is Shook Branch Recreation Area which offers swimming in the lake during the summer.

Misc. Information

Maps

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Photos

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To Come