Goldmine Trail to Rich Mtn Rd Trailhead

 

• Route:Steffner Circle (.2) to Goldmine Trail (.8) to Cooper Rd Trail (1.6 ) to Beard Cane Trail (4.2) to Ace Gap Trail (5.6) to Rich Mtn Rd Trailhead in Townsend.
  
• Description: Lots of rock hopping stream crossings on Beard Cane.
  
• Total Mileage: 12.4 miles
  
• Time Table: Departure 730am. Exit 12:30pm. Car to Beard Cane Tr: 1 hr, Beard Cane to Campsite #11: 30 minutes; Campsite #11 to Campsite #3: 1 hr; Campsite 3 to Ace Gap 1hr, Ace Gap to Campsite #4 1 hr, Campsite 4 to Trailhead 1 hr (times are rounded up).
  
• Points of Interest: Walking Park perimeter
  
• Wildlife: Chipmunk, squirrel; Coyote scat; bear tracks aplenty on Beard Cane Tr.
  
• Notes:

Date:
10/28/2005
Hikers:
Andy

 

• Route: Laurel Falls Trail to Laurel Falls (1.3) and back.
  
• Description: Paved and crowded. Stroller made the uphill portion strenuous.
  
• Total Mileage: 2.6
  
• Time Table: Departure 5pm, Exit 5:40 pm.
  
• Points of Interest: Laurel Falls
  
• Wildlife: None. Rumor of two bear cubs near creek by marker 5.
  
• Notes: Bailey's 1st patch hike.

Date:
10/22/2005
Hikers:
Bailey, Andy

• Route: Lead Cove Trail (1.8) to Bote Mountain Trail (2.5) to Finley Cane Creek Trail (2.8).
• Description: Uphill to Bote Mountain Trail, downhill to Finley Cane, level to trailhead. Easy day hike.
• Total Mileage: 7.1 (loop)
• Time Table: Departure 7:40am; Exit 11am. Average 1 hour per trail.
  
• Points of Interest: Great views from Bote Mtn trail, cane growing along Finley Cane Creek Tr.
  
• Wildlife: Toad and coyote scat on Lead Cove Tr., 2 deposits of bear scat on Bote Mtn Tr. 1 Toad, 1 Deer, and 2 coyotes on Finley Cane Cr. Tr.
  
• Notes: Great loop trail. Park facing in the direction you are going to leave to avoid having to drive to a turn around in heavy traffic. Neat bridge/tunnel under Laurel Cove Rd if you veer off the trail at the sign for Turkeypen Ridge Trail at the end of Finley Cane Tr.

Date:
10/22/2005
Hikers:
Dave & Andy

 

• Route: Jakes Creek Trail (.3) to Cucumber Gap Trail (2.3) to Little River Trail (2.3) to Little River Road (.5). Loop.
• Description: Moderate uphill to Cucumber Gap, downhill the rest of the way. Little River Trail is hard packed gravel and almost level.  Easy Loop.Rain/light mist.
• Total Mileage: 5.4 miles (loop)
• Time Table: Departure: 8:30am; Exit 10am. Parking to Little River Trail 45 minutes, Little River to car 45 minutes.
• Points of Interest: Elkmont Historic District (Appalachian Club)
• Wildlife: 4 wild turkeys on Little River Trail, 2 deer on Little River Road.
• Notes: Good loop. Little River Trail would make a good trip for Bailey with a stroller.

Date: 10/8/2005
Hikers:
Andy