success

Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment.
--Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) American educator, author, orator, and political leader

Another shot of the AT in the Roan Highlands.

gifts

The Master of Life's been good to me. He has given me strength to face past illnesses, and victory in the face of defeat. He has given me life and joy where others saw oblivion. He has given new purposes to live for. New services to render and old wounds to heal. Life and love go on. Let the music play.
--Johnny Cash (1932-2003) American singer and songwriter 

Johnny's 79th birthday would have been today -- I didn't really come to appreciate the Man in Black until after his death, but since then I've been steadily working my way through his lifetime of work. Here's a song that was written as a gift to him in 1974 from his stepdaughter, Carlene Carter. After his death, this recording of the song "It Takes One To Know Me" was found in the vault of his studio.  Check out Johnny Cash Radio.

Above: The Appalachian Trail in the Roan Highlands.

Anyone hear of any updates re: the road and trail construction at the top of Roan? The original date I heard for completion of the project was June 2011. Anyone know if they are ahead of schedule?

great ambition

I've got a great ambition to die of exhaustion rather than boredom.
--Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) Scottish author 

You may have noticed that the posts on Appy Treks have been a little less frequent lately. Thought I'd catch you up on what's been going on in my life... Well, for the last month or so I've been going through some major home remodeling as my kitchen and laundry room were completely gutted, a wall removed, and then everything put back together removing any and all references to the 1980s. (I'll post photos eventually). This, on top of new classes I'm teaching and an energetic new puppy.  So things have been pretty hectic (exhausting?) around here. And just as the remodeling project was getting completed, I've come down with the cold/flu bug that's been going around. So needless to say, I haven't been out and about much recently. Hopefully this just means that everything in my life will fall into place perfectly for spring!

Here's a photo of the spectacular Linville Falls taken a couple years ago from the Plunge Basin Overlook. Located off of the Blue Ridge Parkway (Mile #316.5), this 45' waterfall is a popular destination and with it's many trails and overlooks, a very fun place to explore.

wisdom

Committing a great truth to memory is admirable; committing it to life is wisdom.
--William Arthur Ward (1921-1994) author

spring delight

For everything that lives is holy, life delights in life.
--William Blake (1757-1827) poet, painter, and printmaker

all you need is love

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.
--Morrie Schwartz (1916-1995) American educator and author

Pinnacle Mountain Trail

 In 2011, a trail linking the town of Unicoi to the Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower was completed.  The trailhead for the 4.5 mile trail is just off of the Unicoi Drive exit of I-26, at the future site of the Tanasi Heritage and Arts Center.  The trail is well designed, leading hikers (and mountain bikers) on a beautiful, twisting path up the mountain. The grade is steady (average 7% grade) as it climbs from the valley to the 3540' summit and the restored (or more accurately, completely rebuilt) 1931 firetower.  The original tower, last in service in the 1980s, was removed and replaced. The stairs, although steep, allow for public access to the 40' high lookout. Some photos taken during the rebuilding are below. 


Click here for a helpful trail map.
Read other accounts of the hike from Hiking Bill and RATtreks.
Click here to read about the two volunteers who surveyed and mapped the new trail.

Directions: From I-26, take exit 32 (Unicoi Road) and turn west (away from town). You'll quickly come to a stop sign, turn right and immediately on your left you will see restrooms and a small parking area. Park here and walk up the gravel road 50 yards and you'll see the well-marked trailhead on your left. After climbing 3 1/2 miles (approx) the trail will intersect with a forest service road. From here, you have a two choices.  (Option 1)  If you continue straight, through the gravel parking area, the trail you've been on continues for another 1.5 miles. From the parking area looking west, you'll see three trails, you want the middle one marked "Pinnacle Mountain Trail" (the others are ATV trails). This option allows for a gradual climb of the remaining section of the mountain, and in the winter months offers views out to the west as the trail wraps its way counter-clockwise around the mountain. Total distance ~6 miles one way. (Option 2) Turn left on the road, go an eighth of a mile to a gated road, follow the gated road right and up to the tower. This approach is much, much steeper, but also much quicker (only 3/4 mile).  Be careful if you take this option to stay on the road and avoid the ATV trail that you'll cross over. Total distance ~4.5 miles one way.

Photo courtesy of Stephen Meigs

I took the trail (option 1) to the top, and the road (option 2) on the way back.  All in all, a wonderful (and exhausting) hike -- with rewarding views!  It was approximately 10 miles roundtrip - and took longer than you'd think, so be sure you set out with plenty of daylight (and water, too!).

BTW... It is possible to drive to the tower from the western side of mountain on a meandering, narrow forest service road (#188) off of Dry Creek Road (See map here). But what's the fun in that?! Anyway, here's how you do it...

Driving Directions...Take I-26 to the Erwin/Jonesborough exit #37. At the end of the ramp, turn west (away from Erwin) and take State Route 81/107 west for 4 miles, immediately before crossing the Nolichucky River, turn right onto Arnold Road. Reset your odometer and continue for 2 miles, then turn right onto Dry Creek Road.  Proceed 3.8 miles and then turn right onto the gravel forest service road #188. (Last time I drove this the road was in fairly rough shape, I'd strongly recommend a high clearance vehicle for this road.  Also, note the gate is most likely closed in the winter). Proceed up the road. At 2.3 miles, you'll come to a fork, stay left.  At 3.5 miles you'll come to another fork, stay right.  At 4.7 miles, you'll reach a well established parking area. From which you can take either option 1 or 2 (described above) to reach the tower.

From JC: You could also get to this forest service road from Johnson City... From University Parkway, turn onto Cherokee Rd and drive 2.1 miles, then turn left onto Lone Oak Rd (which becomes Dry Creek Rd) and drive 5.3 miles to FS Road 188 on your left.)

do something

A life spent making mistakes is not only most honorable but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.
--George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) Irish playwright

to be stronger

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. 
--John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) 35th US President

Crabtree Falls, Yancey County, NC

Reagan Centennial

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.
--Ronald Reagan (1911-2004) 40th US President

Videos celebrating his life and legacy: 

From GE to the White House

Reagan Library Tribute (narrated by former TN Sen. Fred Thompson)
"A Time for Choosing," 1964

1st Inaugural, January 1981
Westminster Speech, 1982

Reagan Farewell Address, 1989

looking for spring

Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look there.
--Marcus Aurelius (121-180 AD) Roman Emperor  

A drab, rainy Friday sent me in looking for old spring photos. Here's one taken a few years back at the Biltmore Estate Conservatory in Asheville, NC. Don't know about you, but I'm ready for spring...

bogged down

There is nothing more tragic than to find an individual bogged down in the length of life, devoid of breadth.
--Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) American Minister and Civil-Rights Leader

A bog on Osceola Island (a mile downstream from the South Holston Dam) outside of Bristol, TN.