We stopped by Burger King for croissants and rolled over the mountain towards Middlesboro Ky. I had not preplannned the hike, I had no idea what might be a good trail option for the day.
I went into the Visitor Center and asked for recommendations. I mentioned the Pinnacle and the Ridgeline Trail and the helpful Park Ranger pulled out a brochure with a map and marked a 7 mile loop out for me. It was right in my wheelhouse on distance and difficulty. We would follow ridgeline to Sugar Run Trail and descend down to the intersection with Harlan Road Trail which we would ascend to Ft. McCook. At Ft. McCook we would leave Harlan Road Trail and climb to the Pinnacle where the Jeep would be waiting. I thanked her and headed out.
I drove up the winding road to the Pinnacle Overlook Parking area and unloaded my lightly packed back pack and put Max on his leash. I bought Max a harness last week and it worked much better than his collar. He was more comfortable and didn’t choke himself as he explored from side to side and stopped to mark his progress, claiming yet more trail for himself.
We started our day at the overlook, the skies were clear and the view down into Tennessee and Virginia was beautiful as the valleys stretched out into the distance. Leaving the overlook we headed towards the Ridgeline Trail and left the paved trail behind. Walking the Ridgeline was an easy walk. The views were stunning as we looked out past trees not yet budding. I tried to capture the views but photos did not do it justice.
We went up and down then down to the trail intersection. I flirted with checking out The Lewis Hollow trail but decided against it. We still had miles to go on our chosen route. We hiked 1.8 miles on the Ridgeline Trail then turned onto the Surgar Run Trail.
Sugar Run Trail was 2.1 miles down. It is a sweet little trail. We followed a nice creek going down and crossed several small tributaries, I Rock hopped and Maximus splashed his way across the streams sometimes sampling the water. He needed to replenish his fluids. How much pee can a 14lb dog’s bladder hold anyway? It’s like a never ending supply.
We turned onto Harlan Road Trail and encountered a burned landscape. It looked like the fire had been recent. I asked at the Visitor Center after our hike and there had been a controlled burn 3 weeks ago. We started climbing and I had to take a break. The climb up Harlan Road towards Ft McCook was a steady climb but it wasn’t very steep, just steady. We came out on the road and had to walk a short distance to Ft McCook, an earthen fortification from the Civil War era. There are many historical markers in the park at sites and along trails.
The 0.8 mile climb from Ft. McCook to the Pinnacle was the most challenging part of the hike. It was a fairly steep climb. I had to stop and rest again and I finished my Gatorade and wished I had had more. We did not encounter any other hikers on this hike.
This hike had a little of everything, views, streams with Cascades, level easy trail, more difficult declines and inclines. It was perfect for the day. I felt challenged but not done in by it. I already have another, little longer loop picked out for Maximus and I.
MrsSmithsLifeUnexpected 