KPT-GoTriMag-Aug-2015

GOTri
hiking
Explore the
AUGUST 2015
outdoors
camping
fishing
5 cool waterfalls
PRESENTED BY
GOTri
10
STAY SAFE
Practice safety and
common sense when hiking.
12
WALK IN THE WOODS
Four first-rate hikes show off the
Tri-Cities’ natural splendor.
4
5 COOL WATERFALLS
The greater Tri-Cities is rich
with waterfalls. Have
you visited these five?
18
LET’S GO CAMPING
Envelop yourself in the great outdoors at these four destinations.
Publisher
Keith Wilson
Editor
Kelly Story
Advertising
Billy Kirk
kwilson@timesnews.net
kstory@johnsoncitypress.com
bkirk@timesnews.net
GoTri Magazine is published monthly by the Kingsport Times-News and the
Northeast Tennessee Media Group. For more information, visit timesnews.net.
Flame azaleas in bloom in the Engine Gap
area of Roan Mountain by Janice L. Miller of
Elizabethton. Cover photo by Metro Services.
Johnny Molloy, author and Outdoors
writer for the Johnson City Press,
contributed the articles for this
Outdoors edition of GoTri.
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GOtri Magazine | Gotricities.com
8
STREAM FISHING
Tips and advice for making
the most of your day in the
water with lure and line.
22
CALENDAR
Plenty to see, plenty to do
this month in the Tri-Cities.
OFFER VALID
OFFER VALID 8/1/15 -9/30/15
5 COOL WATERFALLS
Waterfalls are special — arguably the most enchanting
spectacle in nature. At their most basic, they are simply falling water, yet after coming upon a waterfall, we
are captivated and happily surprised at their transitory
beauty.
Anyone who has gone to a waterfall multiple times understands that waterfalls change with circumstances and
seasons. This is a function of rain and time of year.
A waterfall may be a gusher in spring but slow to a
trickle in autumn. A drenching summer thunderstorm,
however, may morph a cataract into a brown roiling froth.
Of course, the changing seasons give the waterfalls
a different look. The muted tones of winter’s leafless
hardwoods form a dissimilar frame than colorful leaves of
autumn, or the shady forest of summer.
The greater Tri-Cities is rich with waterfalls. Here are
five cool waterfalls you may not have visited, all of which
are detailed in my book “Hiking Waterfalls in Tennessee.”
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Dennis Cove Falls/Upper Laurel Fork Falls
Bet you didn’t know there was an upper
Laurel Fork Falls. There are many creek
crossings — 12 — en route to these two
lesser-visited cataracts. The numerous
fords, easily achieved at normal summer
water levels, leave this a warm-weather trek.
Your first reward will be 20-foot Dennis
Cove Falls, a two-tiered pourover filling a
great pool just a mile from the trailhead.
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GOtri Magazine | Gotricities.com
After that, pass through Frog Level, an
open mountain meadow, before plunging
into a narrowing gorge and finding 25-foot
Upper Laurel Fork Falls, a fermenting rush
of whitewater hurtling into a rock defile, 3.5
miles from the trailhead.
Directions: From the intersection of US
19E and TN 67 in Hampton, take TN 67
east and follow it 0.8 miles to join Dennis
1
Cove Road, leaving right at an angle. Drive
Dennis Cove Road for 4.9 miles to reach
the bridge over Laurel Fork, just before
reaching Dennis Cove Campground. If the
campground is open, park in the picnic area
at the rear of the campground (not in the
campground); otherwise park in the gravel
area on the left just before reaching the
bridge over Laurel Fork.
<< Lower Higgins Creek Falls
<<
Squibb Creek Falls
3
More people should visit this lovely
waterfall in the Sampson Mountain Wilderness. Along the 2.2-mile walk to the main
falls, the pools and rapids of Squibb Creek
keep your senses entertained. You’ll need
some fancy footwork to make the 15 or so rock
hops. The walk ends at Squibb Creeks Falls, a
white wonder issuing over a mossy rock face.
The trek is scenic the whole way to the falls,
but you do have to pay your fair share of attention to the numerous creek crossings, which
under normal flows can be rock-hopped, thanks
to trail-crew-placed boulders in Squibb Creek.
The trail dead ends at 20-foot Squibb Creek
Falls. Here, an exposed cliff crosses the creek
valley, slowing the erosive process and creating the waterfall. Squibb Creek Falls spills at an
angle over the rock face into a pool. Bounteous
seating and photography locales are found amid
the boulders at the fall’s base.
Directions: From exit 37 on I-26 near Erwin,
take TN 81 north 6.2 miles to TN 107. Turn left
and take TN 107 west for 13.4 miles to turn left
on Horse Creek Park Road and follow it 2.7
miles, then enter the Cherokee National Forest.
Keep straight, passing the campground entrance
road on your left. Just ahead, reach a parking
area where the pavement ends, with a left turn
toward a picnic area and Horse Creek Road
dead ahead. Park here.
JOHNNY MOLLOY
JOHNNY MOLLOY
2
This waterfall is located 1 mile from the trailhead,
within Unicoi County’s Rocky Fork. You climb 600 feet
in just under a mile. The short distance to the falls
makes the hike achievable by nearly all waterfallers.
Lower Higgins Creek Falls can be seen from the
main trail. When you descend to the sloping falls
base, however, only the lowermost part of the fall
can be seen. The falls emerges among rhododendron, pouring as a narrow faucet-type cataract, then
cartwheels in tiers, steepening and widening until it is
nearly sheer at its base. The fall totals about 60 feet
in height.
Continuing past the spur, you can enjoy the upper
part of Lower Higgins Creek Falls, as well as an additional upstream 15-foot slide cascade.
Directions: From exit 43 on I-26 beyond Erwin,
take US 19W south for 0.7 miles to turn right on Lower
Higgins Creek Road. Follow it under the interstate and
continue past houses to dead end at 1.6 miles. The
Lower Higgins Creek Trail starts at the upper end of
the turnaround.
August 2015 | GOtri Magazine
5
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Sill Branch Falls
It is a short, fun and family friendly
0.5-mile walk to high and attractive Sill
Branch Falls. First, walk a wide track
along Sill Branch, noisily dropping
through a wooded vale. A quick rockhop over South Sill Branch leads you
to Sill Branch Falls, discharging 50 feet
over a bare sheer cliff. Walls rise from
the shallow plunge pool, extending from
well beyond the waterfalls.
Directions: From exit 37 on I-26 near
Erwin, take TN 81 north 6.2 miles to
TN 107. Turn left and take TN 107 west
for 4.9 miles to Clarks Creek Road.
Turn left on Clarks Creek Road. After
1.4 miles, enter the Cherokee National
Forest, where it turns to gravel after
bridging Clarks Creek. Continue up the
gravel road, now Forest Road 25, for
1.7 more miles to reach the Sill Branch
trailhead on your left.
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GOTRI MAGAZINE | GOTRICITIES.COM
Jones Falls
The world’s most famous footpath — the Appalachian Trail — leads through the hills of Carter
County to view this 100-foot cataract. This exciting
cataract drops steeply to meet its mother stream
— the Elk River, which has just entered the Volunteer State from North Carolina. Jones Falls dives
off a high point, slides over rock and splashes into
a not-visible pool before making a second slide
that widens to end at your viewing base.
Although the falls is hard to see in its entirety,
this is absolutely not one to climb. The ultra-rugged terrain around the waterfall combined with the
slick rocks have resulted in numerous injuries. So
enjoy the cataract from where you are — it does
offer a rewarding view.
The 2-mile hike to the falls is rewarding as well.
Head northbound on Appalachian Trail as switchbacks take you to a couple of tributaries of Jones
Branch and Jones Branch itself. Here the short
spur trail leads to Jones Falls. You will most likely
have this waterfall to yourself at any given time.
Directions: From Elizabethton, take US 19E
south for 17 miles to TN 143 in the town of Roan
Mountain. From this intersection, keep straight
on US 19 for 2.3 more miles to turn left on Buck
Creek Road. Follow Buck Creek Road 0.1 miles
then turn left on Bluegrass Road. Follow Bluegrass Road for 1.6 miles to turn right on Buck
Mountain Road. Follow Buck Mountain Road 1.2
miles to the AT trail crossing, just before reaching
Buck Mountain Baptist Church, on your left. Park
on the grass across from the church.
— Johnny Molloy
5
JOHNNY MOLLOY
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Our region is rich for
stream fishing
The greater Tri-Cities has numerous opportunities for stream fishing,
meaning wading and casting for trout or bass, whether you are talking about
bigger waterways such as the Holston, Nolichucky or Watauga Rivers, or
smaller streams like Whitetop Laurel Creek, Horse Creek or Laurel Fork.
Stream fishermen stalk their fish, moving upstream, coming up from behind the fish, which are facing upstream to catch any food floating their way.
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GOTRI MAGAZINE | GOTRICITIES.COM
JOHNNY MOLLY
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Good stream fishing
techniques yield fish
like this. Above, a
rainbow trout; left,
fishing in the Nolichucky River; below,
Johnny Molloy with
a bass. Opposite,
trout in a stream.
— Johnny Molloy
CONTRIBUTED/JOHNNY MOLLOY
Here are some tips to help you be a better stream fisherman: Wear clothes that blend with the environment. Be as
quiet as possible when working upriver. Look ahead to see
where you think the fish might be, then work your way
upstream not to give away your presence.
Don’t stare into water where you think the fish might
be. I fully believe that creatures can sense one another’s
presence. Once you have made your way to a good fishing
hole, look for the best spot to drop your lure, then find
the best position to make the presentation. Does your
chosen position have good footing? Are there obstructions
in the way, such as limbs overhead or beside the stream?
Can you land a fish from your spot? Can you get to your
chosen spot without alerting the fish?
All else being equal, you want a relatively shallow spot
adjacent to a gravel bar or dry land of some sort, a place
without any nearby vegetation obstructions and a place
where you can maneuver in case you hook a big one.
A good approach to a good position should be followed
by good presentation. Look over the fishing hole and
make your first cast your best one to the best spot — the
money cast. The biggest fish will be occupying the best
spots in the pool.
After your best first cast, cover all the other potential
fish-holding areas. By the way, if you think a fish is in a
certain spot and the fish didn’t hit on the first cast, try
again. However, most strikes will occur on the first cast.
Fishing is a numbers game. The more casts you make,
the more fish you will catch. You can definitely catch fish
with a less-than-ideal cast. Be active to maximize results.
Finally, fishing is a mind game. Believe you are going to
catch fish, believe in your techniques and expect to catch
fish. Be confident. Those who expect to catch fish catch
more fish than those who don’t.
AUGUST 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
9
A warm breeze, the sound of a bubbling
brook and the fresh smell of pine in the air
are just some of the draws of hiking. There’s
nothing quite like getting outdoors and enjoying nature.
Although hiking isn’t inherently dangerous,
being at the mercy of the elements does imply
some risk. As a result, it pays to be prepared
when embarking on a hiking trip.
Even novice hikers know to avoid bug bites
and apply sunscreen before heading outdoors, but there are also some lesser-known
potential hazards on the hiking trail. Heeding
METRO SERVICES
Practice safety and common sense when hiking
these tips can keep a person safe.
• Plan ahead. Understand the terrain and
the trails before you begin the hike. Visit
the park or area’s official website to access
detailed, printable trail maps and other information about the area. Make note of ranger
stations, portable bathrooms and any other
places you may want to use as pit stops along
the way. Give a copy of the trail map to someone staying behind, marking your planned
place of entry. In the event you get lost, the
person at home can alert authorities to your
approximate location.
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• Know your environment. Hiking
trails can be found all around the world.
Some may be arid and barren areas,
while other areas may be lush and
tropical. Each of these regions brings
with them their own share of plants and
animals. It is wise to know which species
you may encounter along the way so you
will know how to treat a bite or a brush
with a poisonous plant in the event of an
emergency.
• Be mindful of the weather. Before
going on the hike, get the latest weather
report from a few different sources. This
way you will have an average picture in
your head of what the weather will be,
and you can choose your footwear, clothing and other essentials based on that
forecast. Few things can spoil a trip faster
than unpredictable weather and failure to
be ready for it.
• Pack a supply kit. It’s easy to go
overboard on gear, but there are some
basics that should be hiking essentials.
Include a first aid kit, a Swiss Army knife,
matches or a lighter, aspirin, a flashlight,
and toilet paper in your supply kit.
• Bring water. Water is essential when
going on a hiking trip. By the time you are
feeling thirsty, you are already dehydrated. Bring at least 1 to 2 liters of water per
person. Keep in mind that this may mean
adding 3 to 4 pounds to the pack. When
necessary, trade excess weight in other
supplies for water, since water is most essential. Drinking from springs or lakes is
not advisable. Animals bathe and relieve
themselves in that water, and it might be
teeming with bacteria.
• Pack snacks. Bring along lightweight
snacks, such as granola bars, dried fruit
and nuts. Avoid sugary or starchy snacks
that your body will burn up in no time,
leaving you feeling hungry again. Keep
food in tightly fitted containers so aromas
won’t lure curious animals in close.
• Embark early. The temperature is
lower in the morning, and the sun is less
intense in early morning as well. In addition, starting early reduces the chance
you will be hiking in the dark.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
Although most animals will be content to
avoid a hiking party, if they are provoked
or caught off guard, they may defend
themselves. Watch where you are walking and avoid going off the trail. If scaling rocks, be careful where you put your
hands. There may be snakes or small
rodents lurking in crevices.
• Carry a field guide. Refer to a field
guide to help identify plants, trees and
animals you may have seen.
• Take plenty of photographs. Most
hikers want to document the sights
around them. Capture the moments with
photos and be sure to make prints later.
• Carry out only what you carried in.
Litter can ruin a natural landscape and
put animals in danger. Always bring a
trash bag and remove your spent items.
Also, leave nature as you found it. Resist
the urge to take flowers or saplings or any
other samples of the environment.
— MS
DOLLAR PHOTO CLUB
Take
a
walk
in
the
woods
Four first-rate hikes reflect the Tri-Cities’ natural splendor
Some of us are lucky enough to be Tri-Cities natives, born
and raised here amidst mountains laced with hiking trails
that lead to overlooks, waterfalls and historical sites. Others
came here later. Whether you hail from Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, or any other berg in the area, some of the best
hiking in the United States awaits just outside your door.
And I’m not just whistling Dixie. As the author of “Five
Star Trails: Tri-Cities Tennessee & Virginia” and other hiking guides covering 20 states, I know the trails of our area
and can compare them to other places. Believe me, we have
not only an abundance of hiking trails, but also high quality
hiking experiences leading to a variety of destinations in an
unrivaled setting.
With elevation changes of over 5,000 feet, trails in the
greater Tri-Cities explore a host of ecosystems, from the
spruce-fir forests on Unaka Mountain to the oak woodlands
of Warriors Path State Park.
Secondly, we are blessed with abundant public lands on
which to roam. Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest, Virginia’s Jefferson National Forest and North Carolina’s Pisgah
National Forest collectively avail hundreds of thousands of
acres of lands laced with hundreds of miles of trails.
State parks preserve special places we can visit via their
pathways. Even urban parks in area cities provide quick nature escapes for hikers. And then we have the Appalachian
Trail, coursing some 220 miles in our midst, and is the
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GOTRI MAGAZINE | GOTRICITIES.COM
spine from which a network of trails spread through local
wildlands.
Hikes also examine fascinating flora of our region from
the Emerald Forest over Unicoi
County way to Roan’s worldfamous wildflower gardens,
where rhododendron blooms
in concentrations unseen anywhere else on the planet. Still
other hikes are water oriented,
with waterfalls as destinations.
And then there are hikes that
explore the fascinating geology
of the region. The Great Channels of Virginia present incredible views from Clinch Mountain and a maze of narrow
passageways between massive sandstone pillars.
So hiking in the greater Tri-Cities can mean a ramble
through the backcountry of the Bald Mountains, a trek to a
crashing cascade or a quick escape on a greenway near your
house.
What follows are four fun hikes where you can take a
walk in the woods and come away being glad you live here
— and ready to tackle other trails coursing through the
greater Tri-Cities.
This 4.6-mile there-and-back hike explores an incredible gorge with boulder
fields, cliffs, cataracts, swimming holes and
of course, the Devil’s Bathtub, all shaded by
an immense forest. To see this beauty, however, you will have to make over a dozen
stream fords, leaving it a warm-season destination. Hikers will be amply rewarded with
not only all the above-mentioned beauty but
also a deep swimming hole with its aquamarine depths that chill to the bone.
The hike starts up Straight Fork, then
veers into Devil Fork valley, joining an old
logging railroad grade that you will trace
often on the rest of the hike. Moss grows
on shaded boulders and just about everywhere else in this dusky woodland. Ahead,
cross-braided channels and islands of Devil
Fork, falling in white chutes, clear pools and
myriad forms of moving water.
At 1.8 miles, you can look left down at
what most people think is the Devil’s Bathtub. This is actually the Devil Fork swimming hole. From this perch you can look
into the incredibly clear and deep aquamarine-tinted mountain
water. Note the narrow, 25-foot channel cut through layers
of limestone that feeds the swimming hole. This slim chute
looks as if it was made by a child’s finger making a waterway
through clay.
The Devil’s Bathtub is a quarter-mile ahead. Here, you find
an elongated 10-foot by 3-foot-wide deep pool situated be-
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Devil’s Bathtub
tween quick shoals. It is said to have the
coldest mountain water in the greater TriCities, so cold Satan himself uses it to chill
down. The highlights aren’t over. Jones
Hollow Falls, 45 feet high, comes into view
a half-mile beyond the Devil’s Bathtub. This
is a good turnaround point.
To get there from the northern terminus
of I-26 in Kingsport, stay with US 23 north
into Virginia. From Virginia-Tennessee state
line, stay with US 23 for 3.6 miles to US 23/
US 58/US 421 Business, at a traffic light in
Gate City, Virginia. Turn right at this traffic
light and go 0.1 miles to Jones Street. Turn
right on Jones Street, travel 0.1 miles, then
turn right on East Jackson/VA 71 north.
Follow VA 71 east for 1 mile to turn left
on VA 72 north, toward Fort Blackmore.
Follow VA 72 north 10.7 miles to VA 619,
Big Stony Creek Road. (You will see an
incorrect right turn of VA 619 before the
correct left turn). Follow VA 619 for 4.1
miles to turn left on High Knob SC Road, at
the Devil Fork Hunt Club building.
Turn left on High Knob SC Road, still VA 619. Follow it for
0.2 miles. Then, when High Knob SC Road turns right and uphill, look left for a narrow, gravel national forest right-of-way
passing between a shed and an old house. Keep straight here.
Low clearance vehicles should only go 0.1 miles, whereas high
clearance vehicles can go a tenth of a mile farther up the hill to
a parking circle and the trailhead.
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Laurel Run
This 4-mile there-and-back trek explores the rocky gorge of Laurel Run on
the north side of Bays Mountain, over
Kingsport way. Tramp from flatlands
along the Holston River up a gorgeous,
once inhabited mountain valley, where
you can view two attractive waterfalls,
in addition to several rustic homesites,
even intact log buildings.
Laurel Run Park came to be under unusual circumstances. In 1983, Universal
Studios purchased 440 acres along the
Holston River, turning the land into a
working farm in order to film a movie
titled “The River,” starring Mel Gibson
and Sissy Spacek. The plot centered
on a farming family battling banks,
the elements and a flood-prone river,
attempting to preserve their way of life.
After the filming was completed, the
land was donated to Hawkins County
and turned into a park. The property
adjoins Bays Mountain Park, and the
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GOTRI MAGAZINE | GOTRICITIES.COM
trail system joins that of Bays Mountain Park.
The hike heads up Laurel Run, bridging the stream among wildflowers
in season. Rock bluffs rise along the
narrowing valley, full of boulders in
repose, a true Southern Appalachian
mountain valley.
The trail reaches Laurel Run Falls
after a mile. The curtain-type cascade
pours over a wide ledge. Ahead, pass
a swimming hole, with a short falls
feeding an outsized aquamarine pool,
certainly large enough for a highland
dunking.
Next, hike to some of the aforementioned homesites. First comes the
Morrison family homesite underneath
a still standing large white oak. The
hiking is easy in holly-and pine-heavy
woods. Shortly reach the Asa Simpson
homesite, a primitive wood dwelling
closely grown over in woods. Imagine
how times have changed since then,
and how much slower their lives went
as opposed to our electronic-heavy,
instant-information world of the 21st
century.
The Alex Wallen homesite is partly
torn down. The locale is now left to the
wild beasts, and passing hikers like us.
The Laurel Run Trail meanders uphill
to meet the Kiner Hollow Trail at 2
miles. This is a good place to turn back
and review the homesites and waterfalls of the Laurel Run Valley.
To get there from Exit 1, West Stone
Drive, on I-26 in Kingsport, take US
11W south for 8.6 miles to a traffic
light and turn left on Goshen Valley
Road (the right turn is Gray Brothers
Road). Follow Goshen Valley Road 0.8
miles, then turn left on River Road, and
follow it 1.9 miles, then turn left on
Laurel Run Park Road. Follow Laurel
Run Park Road to enter the park.
CONTRIBUTED/JOHNNY MOLLOY
Cross Mountain
The first mile of this 5.8-mile thereand-back Appalachian Trail is doable
by all.
Highlights come early as you trace
the AT across the open fields of the
old Osborne Farm. Here, far-reaching
views extend to Holston Mountain into
Shady Valley and Iron Mountain then
beyond into the Virginia highlands.
The gently rising track enters woods
after a mile, roaming Cross Mountain. Make your way to Double Spring
Shelter, an AT accommodation set in
a hollow on Holston Mountain, before
backtracking.
Several decades past, when the Appalachian Trail was originally laid out,
certain sections went through private
property. Such was the case atop
Cross Mountain, where Mr. and Mrs.
Lester Osborne had a farm. Straddling
the Johnson County/Carter County
line, the open meadows of their place
provided stunning views, but it was
private property. Eventually, the AT
was rerouted around their farm.
Fast forward to September 25, 2001,
when the Osbornes sold their farm to
the Nature Conservancy, who in turn
sold it to the United States Forest Ser-
vice, and it became part of the Cherokee National Forest.
The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and
Canoe Club, which maintains the Appalachian Trail in these parts, sprang
into action, rerouting the Appalachian
Trail over the mountaintop meadows,
restoring the views that we can enjoy
today.
As an added benefit, the first halfmile of the trail was made wheelchair
accessible, an unusual thing for the
Appalachian Trail. This first halfmile is 3 feet wide and covered with
hard-packed gravel. It makes for an
easy start to the hike and lures in not
only wheelchair hikers but also casual
strollers who happen upon the path
then enjoy those panoramas.
This half-mile part of the trail did
not come cheap either — more than
$18,000. Today, the Osborne farmhouse has been removed, but some
outbuildings remain, reflecting its
agricultural heritage. Fences crisscross
the 250-acre tract. You will cross
some of them on this hike.
The ecologically significant cranberry bogs of the Osborne property
are just below the trailside meadow.
Shady Valley is the most southerly location of cranberry bogs in the United
States.
The AT enters woods at 1 mile,
northwesterly along Cross Mountain.
At 2 miles, pass a rocked-in spring,
Stony Creek’s headwaters. Reach
the Double Spring trail shelter at 2.9
miles. Make sure to sign in at the shelter’s trail register.
To get there from exit 24 on I-26
near Johnson City, follow the signs for
Elizabethton, joining US 321 north/TN
67 east. Travel for 8.6 miles to reach
US 19E and a traffic light. Turn left
here, now joining US 19E north just a
short distance to cross the Watauga
River.
Turn right on TN 91, Stony Creek
Road. Follow TN 91 for 18.4 miles to
reach a gap with Cross Mountain Road
to your right. The parking area is on
the right just past Cross Mountain
Road.
Alternate directions: From Bristol,
take US 421 south for 20 miles to
Shady Valley and a four-way stop.
Turn right here on TN 91 south and
follow it 4 miles to the Cross Mountain trailhead, on your left.
AUGUST 2015 | GOTRI MAGAZINE
15
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Pinnacle Tower
This excellent, must-do Tri-Cities 9.6-mile day hike leads
you to a rewarding panorama atop Pinnacle Mountain on a
gentle, graded trail that is about as user-friendly as a path to
a mountaintop can get. Along the way, pass through varied
forests and by occasional vistas. Your reward is a 360-degree
view from a historic restored fire tower where on clear days
you can see deep into East Tennessee, Western North Carolina and even the Old Dominion.
The views from Pinnacle Mountain Tower are inspiring
and so is the story behind the rehabilitation and reopening
of the former fire watch for the Cherokee National Forest.
Back in 1931, this metal tower was built as a fire lookout
and weather station. Rangers would man the towers — there
were 18 of them at one time in the Cherokee National Forest — even living on site. Times changed, however, and the
forest service went to fire watching by airplane during drier
times. The towers were slowly abandoned, this one in 1989.
Later, the forest service saw the attraction of preserving
these towers. Pinnacle Mountain Tower was restored and
remodeled for public use as a scenic destination availing
panoramas in all directions.
An excellent hiking trail was built specifically to access
the Pinnacle Mountain Tower. The wide path is laid out at
a gentle grade, making the climb to the tower very hiker
friendly. Don’t let the distance daunt you — the footing is
fine, the trailbed is smooth and there are no really steep sections. Just allow yourself ample time and enjoy the mountain
ramble.
16
GOTRI MAGAZINE | GOTRICITIES.COM
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Above and opposite, the view from atop Pinnacle Tower in Cherokee National Forest.
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Envelop yourself in the great outdoors
Let’s admit it: We are blessed with a wealth
of beauty in the Tri-Cities, with the Southern
Appalachians Mountains rising as a majestic
frame for clear lakes, brawling rivers and lesser
hills that we call home. Not only do we have
the pleasure of living in such splendor, we can
also camp out, overnighting under the stars,
right in the heart of this outdoor haven.
Your pleasure may be to pitch your tent or
park your rig overlooking a lake, or to spend
the night in the bosom of the highlands, caressed by cool breezes in the heat of summer.
Camping is not only about places, it is also
about people. In our hurried electronic age,
a respite in nature is the ideal venue to slow
down, relax and rekindle relationships with
our spouses, children and friends. What better
setting than a campfire to have an honest-togoodness conversation without a phone in your
hand or a TV blaring in the background?
Furthermore, camping is also about outdoor
activities, to engage nature. Your pleasure
may be a hike to a view, boating a placid lake,
fishing a serene pond, or just swimming in a
mountain stream. No matter what you choose,
getting into the great outdoors is a fine way
to bathe in the beauty for which our area is
known.
To that end, here are four recommended
campgrounds where you can pitch a tent, restore relationships and envelop yourself in the
great outdoors.
18
GOtri Magazine | Gotricities.com
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Four superlative camping destinations in the Tri-Cities area
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Cardens Bluff Campground
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Watauga Lake near Cardens Bluff Campground
Beautiful Watauga Lake is the setting for
this campground. Luckily for us campers we
can overnight here for a lot cheaper than
buying a lot on Tennessee’s most scenic
impoundment. Cardens Bluff Campground
stands on a peninsula jutting into the
dammed Watauga River, presenting stellar
lake views. To make a good thing better,
Watauga Lake offers a swimming beach,
boat ramp and nearby hiking trails.
A series of camping sites are cut into the
hillside of the wooded bluff. Dense forest
screens the sites from one another and provides good shade in summer. Attractive rock
work and site leveling enhance the camps.
You will soon reach the main bathhouse, a
U.S. Forest Service state-of-the-art model
featuring separate men’s and women’s
bathrooms with sinks and showers in them.
Below to the left are several walk-in tent
sites. Each has a picnic table, fire ring,
lantern post and tent pad in a mixture of
sun and shade. Such a great campground
is sure to be busy. Make a reservation to
assure your spot. Expect the camp to fill up
on nice summer weekends. You can find a
site most any weekday, except during the
summer holidays.
At nearly 2,000 feet, Watauga Lake
stays invigoratingly cool even at the height
of summer. Just down the way is the Rat
Branch boat ramp, where you can get your
craft in the water. Nearby Shooks Branch
Recreation Area has a swimming beach and
access to the Appalachian Trail.
The Watauga Point Recreation Area, a
mile down TN 67, has a swimming beach,
a picnic area and a gravel path looping
through the woods.
To reach Cardens Bluff from the junction of US 19 and US 321 in Elizabethton,
head 5 miles south on US 321/US 19/TN
67 to Hampton. Here TN 67 turns left into
Hampton. Follow TN 67 east 4.1 miles to
the campground, on your left.
You can make reservations at this Cherokee National Forest campground by calling
877-444-6777 or visit www.reserveamerica.
com.
Old Forge Campground
<<
Old Forge is an ideal tent camper’s campground, while Horse
Creek Campground, located just a short piece away, is recommended for RVs.
Old Forge was the site of an iron forge in the early 1900s. Iron
was melted and made into tools for use on a logging railroad that
extended up nearby Cold Springs Mountain. Men cut the timber
by hand with crosscut saws then transported the logs via horse
or mule before loading them onto trains at the railroad. Talk about
hard work! That makes it all the more ironic that this is a recreational site now.
Old Forge is set in a flat along Jennings Creek, as the watercourse tumbles into numerous falls and pools, some large enough
for a swim. Pass through the archway campground entrance to follow a gravel path leading to a pleasing array of walk-in tent campsites stretched across a forested flat alongside Jennings Creek. A
vault toilet stands near the camper parking area. You must bring
your own drinking water.
The chilly waters of Jennings Creek are a huge attraction, plunging down the rocky face of a rhododendron-choked hollow into sur-
prisingly large pools that invite a dip. Of course, trout are in there,
too, and you can fish for them.
Upstream lies the Bald Mountain Ridge Scenic Area. Explore
the streams and hollows of Bald Ridge, along Jennings Creek and
Little Jennings Creek, linking to reach Round Knob Picnic Area or
the even the Appalachian Trail, where you straddle the state line to
visit Jerry Cabin Trail shelter or view-laden Coldsprings Bald.
Rest assured, a day hike in the Bald Mountains couldn’t be
near as rough as was a day for those who toiled at Old Forge as
loggers. And they didn’t return to such a pleasant setting along Jennings Creek we campers do today.
Old Forge is a first-come, first-served Cherokee National Forest
Campground. It rarely fills except for summer holiday weekends.
To get there from exit 37 on I-26 near Erwin, take TN 81 north 6.2
miles to TN 107. Turn left and take TN 107 west for 13.4 miles to
Horse Creek Park Road. Turn left on Horse Creek Park Road and
follow it 2.7 miles to enter the Cherokee National Forest. Turn right
onto Forest Road 331 and follow it 2.7 miles to dead end at Old
Forge Campground.
I find it baffling this first-come, firstserved mountain camp doesn’t receive
more visitation, save for summer weekends. Fishing, hiking and waterfalling
opportunities abound at Cherokee National
Forest operated Dennis Cove. The intimate
camp is set in a small flat alongside gorgeous Laurel Fork. A steep, sloped ridge
and the thickly wooded creek hem in Dennis Cove. The Appalachian Trail, with its
unparalleled eastern mountain beauty, runs
near here and is easily accessed from the
campground.
As you pull into the campground, a small
grassy glade is bathed in sunlight in this
deeply forested cove. A teardrop-shaped
loop contains 13 of the 16 campsites, the
rest of which are well shaded.
The most popular sites lie alongside gurgling Laurel Fork. Three water spigots are
evenly dispersed about the loop. A small
comfort station, with one flush toilet for
each sex, is 100 feet off the loop away from
the campground entrance.
Explore your surroundings after you’ve
set up camp. The waterfall enthusiast has
three rewarding destinations within walking
distance. Walk the half mile back toward
Hampton and you’ll soon see a creek on
the left. Follow the 0.8-mile trail up to 80foot Coon Den Falls.
If you continue beyond the falls, you can
access the Appalachian Trail. Or take the
JOHNNY MOLLOY
Dennis Cove Campground
Dennis Cove Falls
AT to the Laurel Fork Gorge and the Pond
Mountain Wilderness, where Laurel Falls
puts on an aquatic show.
Forest Trail 39 leaves from Dennis Cove
Campground to follow Laurel Fork, crossing Laurel Fork several times upstream to
Upper Laurel Falls. The trail is popular with
anglers, who match wits with the secretive
brown trout that inhabit Laurel Fork.
To get there from Hampton, drive 0.8
miles north on US 321. Watch carefully for
the sign with the picture of a tent on it on
the right. Turn right there onto Dennis Cove
Road. Climb away from Hampton, traveling 3.9 twisting, turning miles. Dennis Cove
Campground will be on your right.
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Beartree Campground
Located just 8 miles from the trail town of Damascus,
Virginia, Beartree Campground offers amenities appealing
to both RV and tent campers. Reservations eliminate campsite availability concerns. Hot showers and flush toilets add
a touch of civilization to this heavily wooded, secluded and
clean campground. Hikers and mountain bikers can explore
the Iron Mountains, while anglers can fish Beartree Lake. This
impoundment also has a swim beach for kids and anyone who
wants to take a dip. There is also a canoe launch on this “no
motors allowed” lake.
Beartree Campground is divided into two loops with sites
average in size but each camp is completely separated by
thickets of rhododendron. Campground hosts are there to help
you with any problems or concerns.
The campground makes a great summer escape, since it is
situated at 3,400 feet and is bordered by even higher ridges.
Though the campsites don’t have electricity, pop-ups, RVs and
trailers find their way to this refuge in nature.
Campers can literally walk or bike directly from their campsite
to trails. The Lum Trail leads up to the Iron Mountain Trail. Depending on their whim, travelers can head west on the IMT to
the Shaw Gap Trail and return via FR 837, or keep west to the
Yancy Trail, which drops to the campground entrance station.
Mountain bikers may want to head east on the IMT to intersect VA 600. Make a hair raising and fast ride down VA 600 to
the Straight Branch Trail, which loops back to the campground.
The Beaver Flats Trail is a short nature trail that makes a
circuit out of the campground. Hike around Beartree Lake, or
cast your line for bass or trout. Consider bicycling the Virginia
Creeper Trail. Rent a bike and take a shuttle from nearby Damascus, where supplies are also available.
To reach Beartree Lake from Damascus, take US 58 east for
8.2 miles to paved Forest Road 837. Turn left up 837 and follow
it for 0.7 miles to the campground guardhouse. Continue past
the entrance for 3 miles to the campground. For campsite reservations, visit www.reserveamerica.com or call 877-444-6777.
— Johnny Molloy
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AUGUST
PLENTY TO SEE, PLENTY TO DO
Desert Noises, 7 p.m.; Fly Golden Eagle, 8:30 p.m., for Border
Bash, 400 and 500 blocks of State Street in Bristol. Free. www.
believeinbristol.org
Old Butler Days Festival, Aug. 7 from 3-10 p.m., Aug. 8 from 10
a.m.-10 p.m., Babe Curtis Park and the end of McQueen Street
in Butler. Food, rides, games, entertainment, music, vendors
and auctions to support community projects. Free admission.
15
Hundred Acres, 6:30 p.m.; Bardellos, 8 p.m., King Alley, Gate
City, Virginia. Free. Kicking Back at King Alley music series.
www.kingalley.com
8
Crumley House Polynesian Beach Party, 6 p.m., on the
grounds of the Crumley House Brain Injury Rehabilitation
Center in Limestone. The event, Crumley House’s largest fundraiser, will feature a Polynesian-style dinner, silent and live auctions, music by DJ Robbie Britton, and a viewing of the Powell
Family’s Old Barn and Tractor Barn, filled with 61 completely
restored Letter Tractors dating from 1937-1960. Tickets are
$100 each. All proceeds support brain injury survivors at Crumley House. 423-257-3644, ext. 7 or www.crumleyhouse.com
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9
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24
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27
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Jonathan Edwards, 7 p.m., Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. Friends of 1927 concert series. $80. 423-5731927 or www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org
The Honeycutters, 2:30 p.m., Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol. Second Sunday Concert Series. $15. 423-5731927 or www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org
Bill and the Belles, 3-5 p.m., SouthSide Neighborhood Association’s Music in the Park at Veterans Park next to SouthSide
school. Free popcorn, water and lemonade. Bring a lawn chair
or blanket. Pass the hat in support of the band.
Model City Wrecking Crew, 7-9 p.m., at lakefront amphitheater at Winged Deer Park, Johnson City, Lakeside Concert
Series. Free. Bring lawn chairs or blanket and picnic. 423283-5815
The 2015 Umoja Unity Festival, featuring cultural foods,
arts, music and crafts from around the world, will be held
Aug. 14-15 in downtown Johnson City. www.umojajc.org
Dirty Badgers, 6:30 p.m.; Jake and the Comet Conductors,
8 p.m., King Alley, Gate City, Va. Free. Kicking Back at King
Alley series. www.kingalley.com
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Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Festival of Tables, 4:30
p.m. at the Johnson City Holiday Inn. View 40 beautifully
decorated tables for 8, and enjoy a hot buffet meal at 6.
“Buy a bag” Silent Auction. Music by the string ensemble
from Science Hill High School. Reservations required. 423926-2101 or slilly5@comcast.net
Fourth annual Tri-Cities Greek Fest, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. at Christ
the Savior Greek Orthodox Church, 150 Elizabeth Ann
Circle, Bluff City. Live entertainment, Greek food, culture,
rummage sale, children’s area, vendor booths, face painting, games and more. Cash or personal check only. Free
admission. www.christthesaviororthodox.org/GreekFest
The ninth annual Christian Storytelling Festival, an evening
of storytelling and songs by Steven Curtis Chapman, 7 p.m.,
in the Providence Academy gymnasium in Johnson City. All
seats are $20, general admission. Doors open at 6:15 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit Providence Academy’s Annual Scholarship Fund. www.christianstorytellingfestival.com
Kids Our Age, 7-9 p.m., at lakefront amphitheater at Winged
Deer Park, Johnson City, Lakeside Concert Series. Free.
Bring lawn chairs or blanket and picnic. 423-283-5815
Black Hat, 6:30 p.m.; Infinite Soul, 8 p.m., King Alley, Gate
City, Va. Free. Kicking Back at King Alley. www.kingalley.com
Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, 7:30 p.m., Niswonger
Performing Arts Center in Greeneville. 423-638-1679 or
www.npacgreeneville.com
Appalachian Fair, Aug. 24-29, at the Appalachian Fairgrounds in Gray. Event features entertainment, contests,
Midway rides, concessions and more. Main stage concerts
by Scotty McCreery, Cole Swindell, Michael Ray, Chris
Stapleton, The Charlie Daniels Band, Dailey & Vincent and
Matthew West. 423-477-3211 or www.appalachianfair.com
The Sullivan County Imagination Library fifth annual Rolling
for Readers Bunco and Dinner event, First Presbyterian
Church in Kingsport. Dinner at 6 p.m., followed by Bunco, a
dice game, at 7. Minimum donation $20 per person. Email
chyouland@gmail.com to reserve a spot or table.
Jonathan Butler, 7:30 p.m., Niswonger Performing Arts Center
in Greeneville. 423-638-1679 or www.npacgreeneville.com
The Mountain States Foundation’s annual Dragon Boat Festival, Warriors’ Path State Park in Kingsport. Sign up at www.
mshafoundation.org/events. Boat registration is $900 for
corporate teams and $850 for community or nonprofit organizations. The event will also include various food vendors,
Art in the Park and other activities. Proceeds will benefit
Woodridge Hospital’s Willow Project benefiting the hospital’s
inpatient behavioral health unit for children and adolescents.
Spirit of Soul Dance Band; Sunflowers and Sin, Ginny
Kidwell Amphitheater at Dogwood Park in Greeneville.
Greeneville Parks & Rec Dogwood Park 2015 Concert Series. Free. 423-638-3143
Want your event included in next month’s Plenty to See, Plenty to Do
calendar? Email it to Editor Kelly Story at kstory@johnsoncitypress.com.