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October
25th - I decided to tackle the Lone Oak
Trail for the second time this month (also see
here)
because it's such a convenient after-work hike for
me. I started at about 4:30, and reached the
"Tip Top" summit (elevation 3280) at about 5:20.
This is a tough climb with almost 1300' elevation
gain in only 1.5 miles. I hung out at the
summit for a snack and to take in the views, and at
5:30 I decided to keep going down the "High Ridge"
trail to find White Rock, a sheer rock overlook with
fantastic views that
I've been to twice this year already (see
here
and here).
From
the High Ridge Trail, I took the Fork Ridge Trail,
and eventually the White Rock Trail. These
three combined trails were 1.3 miles from Tip Top to
White Rock. I got there just a little after
6:00, but I didn't stay long since daylight was
running out on me, as I had 2.75 miles to get back
to the car, and I knew it would be dark in less than
an hour. I took a few photos, and then hustled
back up the trail.
Darkness did catch up to me with about .5 miles
left, and I had to put on my headlamp for the last
few switchbacks coming down the mountain, but I
arrived at my car at about 7:00 like I had planned.
My
round trip on this hike was 5.5 miles.
To see my progress of completing all the trails on
Buffalo Mountain,
click here.
(Click
all images for larger photos)
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Sign Near the Trailhead Commending Tom Dosser On
His Great Work |
Very Nice Views
Coming Up
Lone Oak Trail |
A Northern View from the Tip Top Summit
Over-looking Johnson City |
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Southerly View
from "Tip Top" Looking
Down Into
Buffalo Valley |
Pinnacle
Mountain (with the Fire Tower in the Distance) from
the "High Ridge" Trail |
Taken Near
White Rock, Looking Down at the Okalona Exit Off of
I-26 |
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Pretty Views
Near White Rock |
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From White
Rock... Over-Looking Elizabethton With Holston
Mountain As the Backdrop |
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