Bays Ridge Trail

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Bays Ridge Trail

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BMP Bays Ridge Trail sign.JPG
Park Bays Mountain Park
Land Owner City of Kingsport
Located Kingsport, TennesseeLocation inherited from associated park
Trail Marking Signs
Trail UseThings allowed to do on or near the trail

HikingBikingGeocaching

FeaturesThings to see on or near the trail

Vistas

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: 2.378 mi3.827 km <br /> trailStrict non-repeating trail length / 7.6 mi12.231 km <br /> round tripTypical or shortest length from the car, hike the trail, and return to car
Trail Type Segment
Low / High Point 1,611 ft537 Yards <br />491.033 Meters <br />2,316 ft772 Yards <br />705.917 Meters <br />
Elev. Gain/LossSee link for details of calculation. Gain/Loss is direction dependent. 136 Ft41.453 Meters <br /> / (826 Ft251.765 Meters <br />) – East-to-West
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 30 trails / 36.1 mi of trail
Parking 36° 30' 31.75" N, 82° 36' 34.38" W Map
Trailhead 36° 29' 51.04" N, 82° 37' 20.24" W Map
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Trail Overview[edit]

*NOTE* - THE JUNCTION WHERE JONES ROAD SPLITS AWAY FROM BAYS RIDGE TRAIL AND LEAVES THE PARK IS NOT MARKED. THIS JUNCTION IS NOTORIOUS FOR HIKERS TO ACCIDENTALLY LEAVE THE PARK AND NOT REALIZE IT UNTIL THEY ARRIVE AT RESERVOIR ROAD

Located in Bays Mountain Park. Follows the ridgeline past Bays Ridge Road until heading down to Front Hollow Road. Views of Hawkins and Greene County valleys.

How to get there[edit]

From the main parking lot, cross the dam and take the left onto Lake Road, then Bays Ridge Road. The trail will split off left before the road heads downhill.

Route Description[edit]

The path follows the base of the ridge. Meanders some to pass around deep muddy ruts and intersects with the creek.

This trail has connections to Bays Ridge Road, Jones Road, and Front Hollow Road

Miles Bays Ridge Trail Miles Elevation (ft)
0.0 Trailhead at Bays Ridge Road 2.6 2285
0.8 Junction with Jones Road at two splits. First leads out of park; second to the "Big Oak". 1.8 2090
2.1 Far end of the ridge crest 0.5 2095
2.6 Trailhead at Front Hollow Road 0.0 1615

Warning: The intersection at Jones Road is not marked. The roadway down to Front Hollow Road is at some graffiti. When heading back towards the Nature Center, the unmarked trail split is off the roadbed to the left continuing on the ridge crest.

The following elevation profile travels uphill from Front Hollow Road to Bays Ridge Road.

BMP Bays Ridge Trail profile.JPG

Typical Conditions[edit]

Normally trail in good condition. Ridgeline through some briar patches, along rock outcroppings, and down a lesser used switchback. The path is usually covered with pine needles and/or fallen leaves. As of 2015 the blowdowns are cleaned up.

Misc. Information[edit]

The "fireworks" you hear are the firearms being used at the Cherokee Rod and Gun Club located at the base of the ridge. There is at least one warning sign stating to not head SW off the trail.

Photos[edit]