a fork in the road

If you come to a fork in the road, take it. 
--Yogi Berra (b.1925) Baseball player and manager 

Another panorama (click to enlarge), this time from Rock Creek Park. The left fork is the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail that leads 0.4 miles to Dick Creek Gap before continuing on up to the Unaka Mountain Overlook (a.k.a. Pleasant Garden). In all, this 4.4 mile trail climbs from 2400' to 4850'. (From Dick Creek Gap there is another trail that would lead you to Dick Creek Falls). The trail to the right labeled "Bicycle" is part of the Rock Creek Bicycle Trail that provides a leisurely walk in the woods and along Rock Creek itself before looping back to the park.  In all my years of walking this trail, I can only remember seeing a handful of actual mountain bikers.

For a superb guide to the hiking trails of Unicoi County, click here.

Directions: From I-26 take the Erwin Main Street Exit (#36), at the end of the ramp turn east towards town and you will immediately arrive at a stop light. Turn right onto Rt. 107 and drive 1/2 mile, turn left at stop light onto Rock Creek Road (Rt. 395) -- continue on for 3.1 miles, turn left at entrance to Rock Creek Park. Once there, drive through the picnic area and park near the bath house just before you enter the campground (In the winter you might have to park farther back and walk to the bath house because they lock some of the gates). From here, walk towards the campground and you'll immediately see the trail head on your left for the hiking/biking trail that follows Rock Creek. After a short ten minute walk, you'll reach a footbridge -- cross it and you will soon come to the fork in the road you see above.