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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a year round hike but best enjoyed in the fall and early spring. There are many wild flowers and plants to be discovered but unfortunately " poison ivy" in warm weather months.The trail is well blazed and double blazed at turns.Follow CT signs to begin hike at .50 mi go left under the RR bridge and start your ascend to the top of Cumberland Mtn. Once you reach the crest you will literally walk along on top of the mountain range for about 60% of the trail. GPS users be sure to get the waypoints for the cache hidden at a very unique rock formation.There are many rock walls and at 3 mi there is a natural opening called Window Rock with a great view.At the halfway point at 6.2 mi the Eagle Rock lookout is a great place for lunch with a view.At the 8.7 mi the trail will descend down but continue straight for Devils Racetrack that provides more valley views.Backtrack to descend to Bruce's Creek triple falls.Follow trail to Bruce Creek Road parking lot. Trailhead: From Knoxville: I-75 North to exit 134 Directions to the Tank Springs Trailhead in Lafollette (north trailhead) - Traveling from Cove Lake State Park to Lafollette, turn left at traffic light #7 onto Tennessee Avenue. The Cumberland Trail Tank Springs Trailhead parking lot will be .5 miles on the left before crossing the Big Creek bridge. Directions to the CMS Southern Trailhead Access (south trailhead) - The Cumberland Mountain and Smoky Mtn. Segment Trailhead facility is located on Bruce CreekRoad on the backside of Cove Lake State Park in Caryville, TN. To reach the trailhead, take I-75 north to Caryville, exit 134, turn left after exiting, and wrap around til you pass a Shoney's. Continue .5 miles to the intersection of Bruce Gap Road (Butter and Egg). Turn right, pass under I-75 and cross over the Cove Creek Bridge to the parking lot. Pick up the trail at the backside of the paved lot.Park one car at the south trailhead then start at the north trailhead (Lat:36.38825 Lon:-84.12588) Trail Guides for CT Cumberland Mtn Segment: Tennessee Trails by Evan Means (Globe Pequot Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Cove Lake 423-566-9701 CTC 931-456-6259 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Bobby Trotter, who has posted 74 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by JS on 1/31/2008 Yesterday some friends and I got together and planned a short hike. We figured it would be a somewhat easy hike with a few good views. Starting from Tank Springs we had planned on going to the shelter 2.8 miles in and then begin the trek back. The hike suprised us all with great views of the town to the left and views of the mountains and valleys to the right, big rock walls, a little bit of climbing, and a very nicely made shelter. We're deffinetly going back! This time from the springs to the racetrack!
Reviewed by Matthew on 1/12/2008 I prefer to escape deep into the wilderness so initially I did not think I would be very impressed with this hike looking down at La Follette. However, the views, interesting rock formations, and the layout of the trail were a real surprise. A last minute hike with a late start, I didnt plan to go far. From Tank Springs Trailhead the trail follows along a railroad track until it abruptly climbs the ridge. The trail was in good condition and well marked with white blazes. I liked that the trial climbed up, into, and through the rocks rather than going around. Went 2.8 miles to the shelter and returned. This would be a prefect beginners overnight hike to the shelter, spend the night and hike on to the Cove Lake Trailhead the next day.
Reviewed by Marc on 8/24/2006 Very nice hike. I've gone around 3 miles in from both trialheads in mid-August. The falls from the Cove Lake trailhead are impressive and fun to play in (bring water shoes). The Eagle Bluff lookout over the interstate is pretty neat too. The hike is prettier but steeper near the LaFollette trailhead. My biggest complaint on the Cove Lake side is it runs very close to the interstate so you hear the traffic and it doesn't feel like you're "getting awway from it all". Most of the views from the Lafollette trailhead are neat, but they are of the town of Lafollette, not nature. Nice hike overall, and very convenient if you're already enjoying Norris Lake and looking for something a little different to do for a day.
Reviewed by Dahmer on 8/4/2006 Monster hike! So rewarding though. Climbing from LaFollette end was steep. So many incredible overlooks. Made it to rocks overlooking Interstate, ate, and turned back. Didnt have 2 cars for shuttle. So mad at myself for not going all the way. Must not have gotten to falls. Trail not well maintained and spent 10 minutes finding trail at one spot. But Highest recommendation I could give. Gotta go back and do whole trail before I die. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Tennessee Hiking, Tennessee Trails, Tennessee Hikes, Campbell County Hiking, Campbell County Trails, Campbell County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||