Lake Keokee Loop Trail
|
Trail Overview
Easy hike through dense woodlands around the manmade lake. (Pending that the 2009 storm damage has been cleared. Call into the ranger.)
How to get there
From Kingsport, TN
- North on US-23 to Big Stone Gap.
- Wander thru town on US-23 and continue to Appalachia.
- Left/north onto VA-68 (Inman Street) for six miles.
- Continue straight onto SR-606 a couple of miles.
- Turn left/east onto SR-623 for half mile.
- Turn left/east onto SR-876 and proceed one mile to Lake Keokee Recreation Area.
Route Description
Hardpacked trail 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
Generally passible, but not heavily used trail. In 2010, the trail had a significant number of blowdowns from the December 2009 ice storm, which were not quickly cleared (into June 2010).
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 trail page
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 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/placeholder.kml
(A) 36.85485,-82.86265 Parking at recreation area </googlemap>
Photos
- Placeholder.jpg