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SPECIAL THANKS

We'd like to extend a special thanks to the following folks who helped us make this project possible:

We'd like to that our funders USDA Rural Development , Tucker Foundation, Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, the Cracker Barrel Foundation, our sponors, and the numerous other private and public donors that made this Web site and it's promotion possible.

MMA Creative
Thanks to Darrell Kerley, Jesse Kaufman, Donna Zec and all the Web site programmers at MMA Creative for nuturing the idea of this project and making it a reality. 

Thank you Randy Williams of the Upper Cumberland Development District for giving this project the Edge, and thanks to all our members and partners who have always participated with the Alliance, and supported our efforts to pursue a more inclusive vision for the region's future.  

 

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Natural Sites Natural Sites

Cumberland Trail State Park at Black Mountain

Cumberland Trail State Park at Black Mountain

The Best Hiking

Upon completion, the Justin P. Wilson Cumberland Trail State Park-- the state's only linear park -- will be 300 miles, cutting through 11 Tennessee counties from theCumberland Gap National Historical Park on the Tennessee-Virginia-Kentucky border, to the Signal Point near Chattanooga.

One hundred fifty miles of the Cumberland Trail are open and ready for exploration, including Black Mountain, considered one of the crown jewels of the Trail. You may find other sections of the Cumberland Trail at theCumberland GapNational Park, the Tennessee River Gorge Segment in Prentice Cooper State Forest, and the Obed Wild and Scenic River Segment in the Obed River Gorge and Catoosa WMA.

Black Mountain is a high-elevation site that serves as midpoint of the linear Cumberland Trail State Park. A hard-surfaced parking area and 700’ of hard surfaced, ADA-accessible trail connect hikers to the Cumberland Trail. Ecologically, Black Mountain is well-known for several rare native plants found there.  It is also known for its disjunct, southernmost populations of northern species such as Showy Lady’s Slipper orchid and Yellow Birch. We recommend hiking the 700’ connector trail.  More intrepid/mobile travelers can access even more via the Cumberland Trail itself. Currently, the Grassy Cove segment has 2.0 miles of trail open on Black Mountain plus a 1.7 mile loop on top of the mountain. The two mile section goes from the Black Mountain trailhead down the western slope of Black Mountain toWindlessCave.

Note:  The drive to the parking lot is steep and narrow.  Please obey the signs and do not take trailers on the road.

Activities/Amenities: Birding, Botanizing, Hiking, Scenic Views

Directions: From Crossville: Travel East on 1-40 to the Crab Orchard Exit 329.  Follow Bat Town Road south up to a four-way intersection. Take the immediate left at the Cumberland Trail State Park sign and proceed 3 miles up the narrow and steep paved Black Mountain Road to a the paved trailhead parking area on the right. Parking is ample and the ADA connector trail begins on the west side of the parking area. Follow the paved connector trail 700 feet and it connects to the Cumberland Trail just 150 feet west. 

Photo by Chuck Sutherland courtesy of Outdoor Experience

 

For More Information

3003 Owl Roost Rd
Crossville, TN 38555

Phone: 423-566-2253
Website: http://www.cumberlandtrail.org/docs/grassy_cove_black_mtn.pdf

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