Day Hike

This park has approximately 15 miles of outstanding hiking trails. We will hike about 6 miles on several different trails. All trails are filled with lots of history and beautiful lake views. We will begin our hike at the Big Valley trailhead and pass the Ghost House loop before connecting to the Dark Hollow Trail. Dark Hollow connects to Lakeview that borders on a very scenic portion of the lake. We’ll also find small family cemeteries that are very interesting. For those who want to carpool, we will meet at 9:00 am at the Ingles parking lot on Cedar Lane off the Merchants Rd exit of I-75 North. We should arrive at Big Ridge State Park, Old Mill parking area by 10:00 am. Be sure to bring $$ for carpooling. Please pre register with Rosie 865.985.9144 or rosemary_L@hotmail.com

Hike River Bluff Trail – Norris Dam, We will park at the trailhead on Dabney Road and hike the lower section of the trail along Norris River, less than two miles each way. The walk along the river is relatively flat. Where we will turn around the trail goes up the bluff to make a loop. Some may want to walk the loop. The total distance, about 3 miles, is about the same either way. The hike difficulty is rated as easy to moderate . We recommend shoes to wear to and from the hike plus sturdy hiking shoes, other appropriate clothing, a snack, something to drink and a camera.

We will meet at Ingles Market, 215 Cedar Lane in North Knoxville, leaving at 9:15 am. You may meet us at the southeast end of the Wal-Mart parking lot at the I-75 / State 61 intersection near Norris, leaving there at 9:45 am, arriving at the trailhead parking about 10 am. Round trip distance from Ingles, 44 miles and from Wal-Mart, 8 miles.

If you want to meet us at the trailhead take I-75N to exit 122; turn right on TN-61; about 1.4 miles turn left on to US 441 and proceed across the dam; turn left on to Dabney Road, the first road on the left after the second hair-pin turn, staying left, going downhill, to the parking area.
After the hike plan on stopping on the way back for a meal and refreshments. For specific information about the hike please call Tom at 865-588-5622, leave a message or send an email to cressler@retiree.utK.edu

Hike Fort Loudon State Historic Park, Ft. Loudon State Park is located on Tellico Lake. Ft. Loudon was built in 1756, one of the earliest settlements by the British to secure the South during the French and Indian War in the middle 1700’s. We will start our hike on the Ridge Top trail for half a mile then take the Meadow Loop trail and then back on the Ridge Top trail to the starting point of our hike. The total length of the hike is about 5 miles and the hike is rated as easy. We recommend hiking poles, sturdy hiking shoes, other weather appropriate clothing, a snack, a drink and a camera.

After hiking the two trails mentioned above, we can walk over to the Fort, close to the visitor center where we met. The fort was rebuilt in 1915 from the old structure built during the French and Indian War and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1965. The State has made many improvements over the years and holds re-enactments during the year. It is very interesting to walk through this area of the park. You can find information and a map of the park at https://tnstateparks.com/parks/fort-loudoun

After the hike and visit to the fort we may have a meal and refreshments at a local establishment.
To register for the hike, contact Carolyn Reeves at crhiker04@gmail.com or 865-399-2972. We will leave from the Ft. Loudon visitor center at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday. There is plenty of parking there.