Backpacking Trip to Eagle Bluff Trail, Cumberland Trail

Sorry everybody!

I am changing the dates on the Eagle Bluff Trail Hike. My job has me doing inventory on the 31st now, and I cant be gone the weekend leading up to it!

So heres some info, and hopefully those who could come next weekend can make it in late september. Sorry again about the schedule change!

Frank

Description
This rugged 11 mile segment of the Cumberland Trail offers spectacular views of the Powell River Valley to the south and the Cumberland Mountain range to the north. https://www.cumberland... (https://www.cumberlandtrail.org/cumberland.html)

The northern trailhead is on Tennessee Avenue in La Follette (going north through La Follette, turn left at traffic light #7. Trailhead parking is on your left). There is a developed spring at the La Follette trailhead parking lot, Tank Springs. Many local residents avail themselves of this delicious water for home use. The trail starts on a dirt road following the railroad grade along Big Creek, and makes a left turn to pass under the railroad bridge. It then follows Ollis Creek for a short distance before turning left and switchbacking up to the crest.

The first mile of the climb offers beautiful, fragrant rhododendron in mid to late June. Once on the crest, the trail follows the ridgeline. At mile 2.5 is a rock outcropping where it appears that the trail comes to an end. There is a magnificent scenic view at this point. The trail continues down through a crevice in the rock outcropping. A trail shelter and camping area is located at mile 2.78. At mile 2.86 the trail crosses a wet-weather stream and then continues to follow it with a vertical rock wall on the right. Be on the lookout for Window Rock, an opening in this sheer rock wall on your right.

The trail continues on the crest for another 5.6 miles to an awesome overlook at Devil's Racetrack. Just before you reach the overlook, the trail makes its descent and continues on the northern side of the mountain through a series of switchbacks to Bruce's Creek. From there, the trail continues along the challenging I75 corridor to the new Cove Lake trailhead at Cove Lake State Park.

The southern trailhead, Cove Lake Trailhead, serves as the terminus for the Cumberland Mountain Segment and the beginning of the Smoky Mountain Segment as the trail continues north and west across Cove Creek to Cross Mountain.

Note that it is possible to hike another 9.2 miles PAST the Cove Lake Trailhead to the Green's Branch Bridge, but the trail there can presently only be accessed by a 4-wheel drive vehicle. https://www.cumberland... (https://www.cumberlandtrail.org/smoky.html) This part of the Smoky Mountain Cumberland Trail is currently being extended to a developed trailhead. It is recommended that hikers camp at Green's Branch and return to the Cove Lake Trailhead for now.
Directions to Hike
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, and quickly face a delimma of going right onto the Cumberland Mountain Segment or left onto the Smoky Mountain Segment. Turn right.