Lone Oak Trail: Buffalo Mountain, Johnson City, TN.
Real close. Good Vista. Stream for playing.
The Hike: It's 0.6 mile to the ridge top, although from there you can continue on to Tip Top -- another mile. Some kids (no names named) will whine about the uphill effort but if you drank your coffee on the way over, you can distract them by counting switchbacks (there are 20), giving lessons about Roman numerals and forest fires, and using charred wood to draw on rocks during breaks. There's even a geocache at the top if you know about that stuff. This mountainside burned a few years ago so it is 1) exposed with great views and 2) hot...take your sunscreen and a hat. Best of all is a perfect creek for playing at the bottom so that's the prize for hike finishers.
Directions: From Cherokee Elementary School, take Lone Oak/Dry Creek Rd south 1.7 miles toward Buffalo Mountain. You will see a sign and then a little pull off on your right. The trail head is across the street from sign (36° 15' 46" N 82° 21' 56 " W). If you get to the top of Dry Creek Rd. you have gone a few miles TOO FAR! Keep your hands on kids and dogs when you get out of the car as you will be right on a mountain road with fast-travelling vehicles coming around the bend.
left: Julian and Bridger on the way to Tip Top in the fall, 2016
Directions: From Cherokee Elementary School, take Lone Oak/Dry Creek Rd south 1.7 miles toward Buffalo Mountain. You will see a sign and then a little pull off on your right. The trail head is across the street from sign (36° 15' 46" N 82° 21' 56 " W). If you get to the top of Dry Creek Rd. you have gone a few miles TOO FAR! Keep your hands on kids and dogs when you get out of the car as you will be right on a mountain road with fast-travelling vehicles coming around the bend.
left: Julian and Bridger on the way to Tip Top in the fall, 2016
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Bridger's Pictures and Notes
First, you start out at a little...I would call it a stream. Then you start the switchbacks. We call it "switchback attack!" (dun dun dunnnnn) The first switchbacks don't have roman numerals written on them, but lots do. You can see them written on rocks at the turns. The best part about the hike is at the end, when you are at the top and you can see EVERYTHING! The second best part, is when you come back down. If your parents let you, you can play in the creek. Throw rocks, build dams... it is all fun!
Parent aside: This is a great destination for a night hike, like we did (left) on the solstice in 2015. The fire in 2008 really cleared the canopy, so you can see the stars the whole time! It is also an excellent "meeting hike" with colleagues in the early morning or over a lunch break due to its proximity to Johnson City.