CUMBERLAND TRAIL Piney River Segment - Member Hike
| Hike Name: | CUMBERLAND TRAIL Piney River Segment |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Tennessee |
| Nearby Town: | Spring City |
| Rating: |  |
| Directions: | Location: This segment begins at the Piney River Pocket Wilderness Trailhead on Shut-In Gap Road, 1.5 miles above Spring City, passes by the Newby Branch Forest Camp Trailhead, and continues past the Duskin Creek junction on Piney River (which soon becomes Piney Creek), ending on Dunn Road near the Bledsoe/Rhea county line. Back country sites currently include Piney River and Spider Den Bluff, located at 5 and 6 miles respectively, from the Piney River Trailhead, with Spider Den being located on Duskin Creek. |
| Total Hike Distance: | 44.00 miles |
| Hike Difficulty: | Moderate |
| Permit Required: | No |
| Hike Type: | In & Out, Backtrack Hike |
| Hike Starts/Ends: | Piney River Pocket Wilderness Trailhead on Shut-In Gap Road, 1.5 miles above Spring City |
| Trails Used: | CUMBERLAND TRAIL Piney River Segment |
| Backcountry Campsites: | No |
| Backcountry Water Sources: | Streams, Rivers, Springs |
| Management: | Other |
| Contact Information: | www.bowater.com |
| Best Season: | Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall |
| Users: | Hikers, Dogs |
| Road Conditions: | Primary Paved Roads, Secondary Paved Roads |
| Hike Summary: | Renowned for its spring flowers and water flow, hikers and kayakers rush to explore the Piney watershed each spring. This segment provides day-use opportunities as well as overnight camping, backpacking, and water sports. Length: 22 miles; rating: moderate. This segment is located exclusively within the Piney River watershed, and unusual drainage that travels from southwest to northeast along the edge of the plateau escarpment. Location: This segment begins at the Piney River Pocket Wilderness Trailhead on Shut-In Gap Road, 1.5 miles above Spring City, passes by the Newby Branch Forest Camp Trailhead, and continues past the Duskin Creek junction on Piney River (which soon becomes Piney Creek), ending on Dunn Road near the Bledsoe/Rhea county line. Back country sites currently include Piney River and Spider Den Bluff, located at 5 and 6 miles respectively, from the Piney River Trailhead, with Spider Den being located on Duskin Creek. Piney River Trail: This 10 mile trail is rated moderate. Starting from the picnic area on Shut-in Gap Road the trail climbs steeply. The Twin Rocks Nature Trail takes off to the left about .1 miles from the picnic area. The trail continues up the slope, then follows the side of the mountain for another 3/4 miles, where a trail branches off to descend to the river. After hiking another 2.2 miles the hiker encounters the picturesque 100 foot suspension bridge pictured above. Then the trail follows an old dinky railroad, almost level, then crosses a 20 foot bridge over Pine Branch, then a 45 foot bridge over Rock House Branch. A side trail leads 1/2 mile to the "bathtub", a 7 foot deep basin in the stream. The trail continues, winding up and down the slope as it continues upstream, through a beautiful stand of large hardwoods called Big Cove. Spider Den Bluff is the next interesting feature. Then the trail winds past White Pine Cascades to cross the road. The trail parallels the road generally uphill to Newby Forest Camp trailhead. |
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