road to greatness

It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.
--Seneca (c. 4 BC – AD 65) Roman philosopher and statesman.  

The road to the top is narrow and difficult. But worth it. Not having time (or more accurately, energy) to complete the entire 9 to 10 mile Pinnacle Trail (round-trip), I drove to the parking area near the top. The Forest Service road starts out wide and gradual and in pretty good shape, but it gets narrower, steeper and increasingly pot-hole ladened. The good news was that from the parking area, it's a much shorter hike -- 3/4 of a mile walking up the rest of the road from the gate (steep!), or 1.5 miles via the upper section of the Pinnacle Mountain Trail (gradual). We took the trail up and the road coming back down. For a full discussion (with directions) of the Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower and Trail, click here.

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.)

Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower

Finally made it up to the Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower which sets above the town of Unicoi, Tn. Efforts are now underway to restore the old fire tower for "its historical significance and the opportunity it brings for area tourism and outdoor recreation users." Part of the project includes the development a 4.5-mile trail connecting the tower to the trailhead to the future site of the Tanasi Arts & Heritage Center near Interstate 26 at Exit 32.  The tower is in pretty rough shape right now -- with the first flight of stairs having been removed -- keeping visitors from climbing the tower. Even so, there's a great view of the Unaka and Roan Mountains. Once completed, this will be a terrific hiking destination and a symbol for Unicoi County (even though the tower actually sits just within the Washington County border!)  Click here for more photos and directions from Hiking Bill. More photos here.

rise by descending

Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility.
--Saint Augustine (354-430) Theologian and Bishop

Jon checking out the Holston Mountain Fire Tower. For directions and discussion, click here.

Roan High Knob Shelter

At 6,285 feet, the Roan High Knob Shelter is the highest shelter found along the 2,175 mile Appalachian Trail. It is also known as Fire Warden Cabin as it was originally built to house the fire warden who manned a nearby fire tower (long since removed). Built in 1933, the shelter underwent renovations in 1980 and again in 2003. As AT shelters go, this one is unique (some might even say luxurious) with its two stories and 15 person capacity. Most of the more than 250 back country AT shelters located along the length of the trail are much smaller (usually accommodating only 6 people) and more primitive (with one side open to the elements). To see a map with photographs of AT shelters in this region, click here. To the right are the views of the interior of the cabin (click to enlarge).

UPDATE: For summer photos of the shelter, click here!

Directions: Take Route 19E to the town of Roan Mountain, turn onto Route 143 and travel 12.8 miles to the TN/NC state line (Carver's Gap). On your way up the mountain, you'll pass through the Roan Mountain State Park. Eventually, you leave the state park and enter the national forest. Option 1: Park at Carver's Gap and take the AT approx. 1.5 miles up (heading south on the AT, away from the Balds) -- or (Option 2) turn right at Carver's Gap and continue driving to the Old Cloudland Hotel Site (this road is closed during the winter months). Park at the end of the lot nearest the bathrooms, climb the stairs and venture to your left.  You'll soon run into the AT.  Turn right to hike north on the AT (toward the balds) for a short distance (approx. 1/2 mile) -- on the way you'll pass by an old chimney. The shelter is located one tenth of a mile off the AT on well-marked, blue-blazed trail. Click here for the Google map of the Roan Mountain area.

Holston Fire Tower

High atop Holston Mountain (elev. 4,000 feet) stands an imposing 100 foot tower, constructed in 1943. Back in the day when the forest service operated a network of these mountaintop lookouts, this tower had a 12x12 live-in cab at the top. It was removed after the tower ceased being used in 1991. In case you're wondering -- a privy and shower were located at the base of the tower. (!)

It used to be possible to climb the winding steel stairs to the top. But time has taken its toll on the structure and rendered it dangerous and unsafe. It is now fenced off with barbed wire at the top and bottom. Don't try to climb the tower. Hopefully they will someday rehab the tower like the one on Pinnacle Mountain so people can once again take in the beautiful views of Holston Lake and Bristol.

Hiking Bill's post on the tower here.

Directions: From Elizabethton, TN take Route 91 (Stoney Creek) east for 10 miles, turn left on Panhandle Road and reset your odometer. At 1 mile you'll pass by the parking area for the Blue Hole on your left. At 1.4 miles you'll come to a gate that is typically closed in the winter months. (I'm told there's a trail leading from here to the top, but have not investigated that for myself. If there is, it's probably a steep, four mile trail from this point to the fire tower.) At 4.4 miles, the road splits. To your right is the gated road leading to the tower -- park here. The tower is one mile further up the road on foot - it's a fairly easy grade to the top. Click here for a map of the area.

Other area fire tower hikes:

• Bay's Mountain (Kingsport)
• Pinnacle Mountain (Unicoi)

[post updated 5/2016]