Holston Mountain
Holston Mountain is east of Holston Lake. The ridgeline forms the boundary between Carter and Sullivan Counties and at certain points opens up to great panoramas. Holston Mountain and its adjacent areas offer a variety of outdoor activities including camping. The journey to Blue Hole, Hinkle Branch Trail to Low Gap Campground & Flint Mill Trail are described below.
Further Online Resources:
Sherpa Guides: Watauga Ranger District
"Have You Ever Been to Flint Rock?" by Johnny Molloy (JC Press)
TEHCC: Holston Mountain Trail
BCHET: Sullivan & Carter County Trails
Further Online Resources:
Sherpa Guides: Watauga Ranger District
"Have You Ever Been to Flint Rock?" by Johnny Molloy (JC Press)
TEHCC: Holston Mountain Trail
BCHET: Sullivan & Carter County Trails
Blue Hole
Distance: Minimal, approximately 200 yards
The journey to Blue Hole does require walking but I am not certain its short distance qualifies it as a hike. I suppose with a good map of Holston Mountain's other trails and forestry roads, one could turn Blue Hole into a formidable trek, but the attraction to Blue Hole is for its beautifully formed pool, perfect for swimming. Blue Hole is a very popular getaway during the summer or when the weather is right. The trail leading to Blue hole is marked by a closed forestry gate and a "No Alcoholic Beverages" sign. Right after the gate, the path forks. Stay right. The path leading left is a bit of a shortcut but not worth it, unless you need to shave about 10 - 30 seconds of your time on site. The path fizzles out after crossing mill creek at Blue Hole. (Current as of Spring 2013) |
Driving Directions:
To get to the trailhead from ETSU, from West Lake Street take a left onto Southwest Avenue, and merge right onto University Parkway also known as U.S. Highway 321. Continue on 321 to Elizabethton. Stay on 321 while traveling through Elizabethton. Turn left onto US Highway 19E toward Bluff City and shortly after turning onto 19E turn right onto State Highway 91. Stay on 91 for approximately 10.1 miles before making a left onto Panhandle Road.
A sign marks the left for Blue Hole onto Panhandle Road from 91. Follow Pandhandle Road for 1 mile. a moderate sized cut-off for parking and the path leading to Blue Hole are on the left not long after the road turns to gravel. Driving directions to Blue Hole using Google Maps is linked here. |
Hinkle Branch Trail to Low Gap CampGround
Distance: Approximately 6 miles total, 3 miles one-way according to the National Geographic Trails Map, but AllTrails.com has the hike listed as 8 miles total, 4 miles one-way
The hike to Low Gap Campground starting from the Hinkle Branch Trailhead is an approximate three-mile hill climb, with many steep stretches and a non-commensurate amount of let-up. Although not as steep as Flint Mill Trail or Chestnut Ridge Trail, a junky love for huffing-up inclines is a requirement for this particular walk. Wildflowers abound on this calf-burner, esp. during late Summer. The invasive Shrubby Lespedeza is profuse along the lower half of the hike. Yellow Fringed Orchids enjoy the sun, growing where the path crosses under power-lines. Thoroughwort, Goldenrod, and Self-Heal, along with a variety of sunflowers bloom throughout the way. On the upper portions near Low Gap Campground, Crimson Bee Balm, Pale Touch-Me-Not, and many other wildflowers can be found. Beginning past the forestry gate and National Forest, Information Sign, Hinkle Branch Trail leads up through forest. Initially, private property can be glimpsed through the trees. After a short distance, a trail sign marks Taylor Ridge Trail as it splits right from Hinkle Branch Trail. Near where Taylor Ridge Trail cuts away, the path crosses another forestry gate. Behind the forestry gate, A trail sign marks Hinkle Branch Road. The trail ascends for a steep minute before reaching where Rye Patch Trail splits from Hinkle Branch. Head right up the hill, following the trail sign labeled FS 60681. From here Hinkle Branch Trail is forestry road often following a power line route. The trail opens up several times when crossing underneath the power lines. Some views of Iron Mountain also open-up through the power-lines. Eventually, Hinkle Branch comes to a trail junction with Rye Patch and Low Gap Trails. Trail signs mark the intersection. This is where Hinkle Branch Trail becomes Low Gap Trail. Both are listed on nearby trail signs as being FS Trail 2024. Turn right onto Low Gap Trail. Not far past the trail junction, Rye Patch and Low Gap Trails split from each other, with Rye Patch headed right. Head left, continuing on Low Gap Trail. Trail signs mark each route. From here the path can still be steep but there are more reprieves. The trail is also narrower but yellow blazes used to mark the route are more frequent. There is at least one point where Low Gap Trail crosses a small stream, maybe more based on recent rains. The crossing can be accomplished without getting shoes or socks wet. As a multi-use trail, the path is shared by bicyclists and horse-back riders. In general, Holston Mountain is a popular spot for horse-back riders, many of whom participate in the maintenance & direction of the area's trail systems. At some points, the trail can get a bit mushy under hoof or wheel, often after wet weather. Low Gap Trail spits out onto a forest road, with the primitive Low Gap Campground being just across the road. From here, the way back is the way you came making for a hike approximately six miles in total distance. While the distance is moderate, the uphill is consistent and many times steep. There are a few trail junctions to keep an eye out for, as well as the shift from Hinkle Branch to Low Gap Trail. Otherwise, the trails are well-marked with signs and the yellow blaze. The difficulty of this day-hike is slightly above moderate, mostly do to the uphill. Further Online Resources: BCHET: Carter & Sullivan County Trail Info BCHET: Holston Mountain Map Hiking Bill: Holston High Point AllTrails: Hinkle Branch to Holston Mountain Low Gap Campground (Current as of Summer 2014) |
Driving Directions:
From ETSU, turn right onto University Parkway / US-321. Stay on US-321 for 9.2 miles traveling through Elizabethton. Turn slightly onto Broad St / US-321 for 1 mile and then make a left onto US-19E.
Almost immediately after turning left onto US-19E, turn right onto the exit headed toward Stony Creek, merging onto TN-91. Stay on TN-91 for about 8 miles before turning left onto John Alfred Loop. A large trail sign marks the turn onto John Alfred Loop to Hinkle Branch Trail. After a little under a half-mile, a gravel road leading to a sportsman's club will be on the right. The information sign marking Hinkle Branch's Trailhead will also be visible. Don't park next to the building, unless you are a member. As a good start point for many rides or walks, the area has ample space for parking, in particular for horse trailers. Driving directions using Google Maps to Hinkle Branch Trailhead is linked here. |
Flint Mill Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles total, 1.4 miles one-way
The ruthlessly steep Flint Mill Trail climbs from Flatwoods Road (FS 251) to Flint Rock and its awesome panoramic western views, before coming to an end along the ridge where the blue-blaze marked trail meets the Holston Mountain Trail. Besides the view of Holston Lake and beyond from Flint Rock, Flint Mill Trail travels through a small mountain wetland zone reputed for having many orchids. Both the Sherpa Guide and the Cherokee National Forest Hiking Guide edited by William Skelton mention the bog zone as being home to Pink & Yellow Lady Slipper Orchids, Twayblades, Whorled Pogonias & Yellow Fringed Orchids. I can only confirm Lady Slipper Orchids, most likely pink, but the environment is right for the variety of orchids mentioned. Still there is some speculation on if these species indeed can be found on this trail. Starting from Flatwoods Rd, the Flint Mill Trail starts at a steady uphill grade through mixed forest. Not far from the start, the trail intersects with Flatwoods Horse Trail. Flatwoods Horse Trail is marked with a yellow blaze & Flint Mill Trail is marked with a blue blaze. Trail Signs also mark where the trails intersect on the left and then a few steps further on the right. After a short distance past the intersection with Flatwoods Horse Trail, the trail gets very steep, among the steepest in the region, including the upper part of Sarvis Cove Trail. Flint Mill Trail remains ruthlessly steep until reaching Flint Rock approximately a mile from the trail head. Flint Rock offers some impressive views of Holston Mountain & Holston Lake. Past Flint Rock, the trail is significantly less steep, briefly climbing before dipping down into a depression. A small stream is crossed without getting shoes or socks wet. There is a rock fire ring just past the stream on the left of the trail. The area just past the fire ring is where the bog is located. The Lady Slipper Orchids bloom on the less-densely forested hilltop before descending down to the stream-crossing & the bog. Past the bog, the trail briefly climbs once more before briefly descending toward Holston Mountain Trail. Wild Bergamot blooms where the two trails meet. Holston Mountain Trail is the turn-around for this hike. Holston Mountain Trail is approximately 1.4 miles from Flint Mill Trail's start. As a there and back again hike the total distance is 2.8 miles. Despite the short distance and easy navigation, this trail is moderately difficult because of the intense steepness. Further Online Resources: Sherpa Guides: Watauga Ranger District 43things.com: How to Round-Trip the Flint Mill Trail by xcaverx (Current as of Summer 2014) |
Driving Directions:
From ETSU, turn left onto University Parkway. From University Parkway turn right onto Market St. Stay on Market St as it turns into North Roan St. Make a slight right on US-11E, staying on US-11E through Piny Flats, turning right onto TN-44.
Stay on TN-44 for 2.1 miles, then turn right onto Fleming Rd and then after a very short distance turn left onto Main St. Continue on as Main St. turns into Dry Branch Rd (TN-44). Stay on TN-44 for 7.4 miles. Then turn right onto Flatwoods Rd for 1.1 miles before making another right to stay on Flatwoods Rd. The start point for Flint Mill Trail is located on the right approximately 4 miles from the large Cherokee National Forest Sign & 3.5 miles from where Flatwoods Rd quits being asphalt, becoming a well-maintained dirt road. There is limited pull-off parking near the trailhead. Driving directions to Flint Mill Trail's start point using Google Maps is linked here. |