KPT-GoTriMag-Aug-2015
Transcription
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 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 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. 2 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. 4 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. 4 6 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 Make the best of every ground. The 2016 GLE The 2016 GLC of Kingsport 867 E. Stone Drive Kingsport, TN 3766 • 423-224-2260 • 1-877-281-2330 www.rickhillimports.com JANICE L. MILLER 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. 8 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. Changing dentistry, changing lives. Dr. Charles E. Guest Dr. Cheston B. Guest Dr. Meaghan E. Guest 2015 enry Ft. H all M FT. E RIV D RY HEN . H RT RT 93 NO TH U SO RD T. YS LE AD BR H CHESTNUT GROVE DENTAL BLDG. . RD RT 36 WAL-MART • Metal-Free Crown/Bridge • KOR Whitening • Cosmetic Dentistry • Smile Rejuvination • Invisalign Braces • Sedation Dentistry 2975 Fort Henry Drive Kingsport, Tennessee 423-247-2151 www.guestdds.com LARGEST SELECTION in KINGSPORT! Compare our prices to competitors. TUESDAYS 20% OFF WINE THURSDAYS 10% OFF EVERYTHING We match competitors ads within boundaries of ABC laws. No additional discounts on sale items or EDLP 423.765.2900 www.parkplaceliquor.com CONVENIENTLY LOCATED – I-26 OFF Wilcox Exit 1309 S. John B. Dennis Hwy, Kingsport, TN METRO SERVICES • 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 12 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 14 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. 0 0 0 JOHNNY MOLLOY The restored tower is a treat. The formerly closed box has been opened, though part of the remodeled tower is roofed. Under this roof is a sign pointing the four cardinal directions. What a view it ical All-Wheel Drive, a spacious and an available power is! To the north, Johnsoninterior City can cal All-Wheel Drive, a spaciousMountain, interior and an available power be seen over e’s a whole lot to loveCherokee about the 2015 Subaru Forester.® ® e’s a whole lotDrive, to love about the interior 2015 Subaru as can Buffalo Mountain. Sweepal All-Wheel a spacious and anForester. available power ing to the right, Holston Mountain s a whole tocity loveofabout the 2015hover Subaru Forester.® andlot the Elizabethton in the distance. 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EPA-estimated hwy fuel economy for 2014 Subaru Outback 2.5i CVT models. Actual mileage may vary. EPA-estimated fuel economy$0,000 Down Payment 7 FORESTER NEWSPAPER $0,000 Payment PZEV states. emissions warranty to only certain states. See dealer information forMY15 complete information emissions and new car limited warranties. 2.0i CVT models. Actual may vary.Down SUBARU OF AMERICA EAA EJA $0 car Security Deposit missions warranty applies tomileage only certain Seeapplies dealer for complete ononFULL-PAGE emissions and new limited warranties. ® $ $ SUBARU OF AMERICA MY15 FORESTER NEWSPAPER SUBARUFULL-PAGE OF AMERICA SAM WATSON 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. You Can Get The Nascar Experience Every Week $10 Adults 12 & Under Free Gates Open at 5:30 – Racing 8:00 Late Model • Pure 4 • Street Stock • Legends • Rookie Pure 4 • Pure Street newkingsportspeedway.com 2961 N. John B. Dennis Hwy Kingsport, TN • 423.288.5992 thepineraceway.com 10802 Old Norton-Coeburn Road Coeburn, VA • 276.395.5155 JOHNNY MOLLOY THE 2015 VW JETTA S 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 #12715 – All power, AM/FM & CD, ESP, power windows, air conditioning, power steering, power remote locks with security system, 4 wheel disc anti-lock brakes, front and side airbag protection, side curtain & much more. FAIRWAY VW 15,990 $ * and 0.9 % ** For 60 Months *Excludes tax, tag and license. Includes all incentives. $449 processing fee. Subject to prior sale. Must finance through VCI with approved credit. **0.9% for 60 months on Jetta S with approved credit through VCI. See salesperson for details. Offer ends 7/31/15. FAIRWAY VOLKSWAGEN 2301 EAST STONE DRIVE • KINGSPORT, TN 423-378-1800 • www.fairwayofkingsport.com Adjacent to Exchange Place Campus $749,900 MLS #362614A 3 Pendleton Place, Kingsport, TN 37664 • 4 Bedrooms • 4 Baths / 3 Half Baths • Unique Williamsburg Design • Large Master Suite • Private Retreat • Lots of Outddor Activities 333 LYNN GARDEN 423.247.4181 Connie Salyer CRS, GRI Affiliate Broker, Tennessee & Virginia 423-534-1621 7 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 20 21 9 22 24 13 27 14 RAINBOW MOTORS, INC. 29 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 Vehicles • Campers • Trailers Thank You for voting us #1 used auto dealer 2015 937 E. Stone Dr., Kingsport, TN 37660 (423) 288-5827 www.rainbowmotorsinc.com 30 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected].