John Muir Trail (Tennessee)

The John Muir National Recreation Trail (#152) is a 20.7 mile (33.3 km) [http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/cherokee/recreation2003/ROGS/Ocoee/John%20Muir%20Trail.pdf U.S. Forest Service Guide to the John Muir Trail] ] trail in eastern Tennessee along the north side of Hiwassee River in the Cherokee National Forest. It is named for naturalist John Muir. It was constructed in 1972 because of the efforts of the Youth Conservation Corps and the Senior Community Service Employment Program William Sheklton. "Wilderness Trails of Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest". The University of Tennessee Press, 1992, ISBN 0-87049-771-5] . It is said to follow the path taken during his travels from Kentucky to Florida in his book "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf". In it he wrote

My path all to-day led me along the leafy banks of the Hiwassee, a most impressive mountain river. Its channel is very rough, as it crosses the edges of upturned rock strata, some of them standing at right angles, or glancing off obliquely to right and left. Thus a multitude of short, resounding cataracts are produced, and the river is restrained from the headlong speed due to its volume and the inclination of its bed.

All the larger streams of uncultivated countries are mysteriously charming and beautiful, whether flowing in mountains or through swamps and plains. Their channels are interestingly sculptured, far more so than the grandest architectural works of man. The finest of the forests are usually found along their banks, and in the multitude of falls and rapids the wilderness finds a voice. Such a river is the Hiwassee, with its surface broken to a thousand sparkling gems, and its forest walls vine-draped and flowery as Eden. And how fine the songs it sings! [http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/writings/a_thousand_mile_walk_to_the_gulf A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf] ]

The trail western end is located where Childers Creek empties into the Hiwassee River. The first 3 miles (5 km) is a relatively easy walk as it was designed for senior citizens . At 6 miles (10 km) you reach the suspension foot bridge across the river and the Apalachia Power Plant. The trail does not cross the bridge, but continues on the north side of the river. At 11.7 miles (18.8 km) the trail connects to the Coker Creek Trail. This trail goes into the Coker Creek Scenic Area that contains the 40 ft (12 m) Coker Creek Falls. At 17.7 miles (24.5 km), the trail comes to Tennessee State Route 68. The trail continues past the road for another 3 miles (5 km). This part of the trail has been lengthed several times since it was opened.

The Benton MacKaye Trail joins the John Muir Trail at Childers Creek and runs with it for 10.5 miles to the intersection with the Unicoi Mountain Trail.

References