The Appalachian Trail stretches over 2,200 miles from Georgia to Maine. In the Tri-Cities area, volunteers of the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing club maintain 134 miles of trail from Spivey Gap (near Erwin) to the Tennessee/Virginia border just outside of Damascus.
Many thru-hikers, section-hikers and trail veterans consider several sites along these 134 miles as some of the most picturesque in the entire length of this famed path.
With summer rolling in, itâs time to head to the cooler temperatures of the higher elevations and experience these amazing vistas. We have multiple access spots along the trail within a short drive from the Tri-Cities, ranging from easy to difficult treks.
Jacobs Creek Campground (TN)
Jacobs Creek Campground is situated along the shores of beautiful South Holston Lake in Sullivan County, Tennessee, at an elevation of 1,730 ft. With a view of miles of undeveloped shoreline and the water, the campsites at Jacobs Creek Campground are a relaxing way to spend your vacation. There are 27 available campsites, 23 of which are reservable, including warm showers in the campground. Campground hosts are available on site to answer your questions. There is a Day-Use area adjacent to the Campground with a designated beach area.
There are a total of 29 campsites, 27 of which are available, within three loops. Some sites are right along the water, and some sites are away from the water. The campground has flush toilets and showers. Each site is non-electric, and contains a table, fire ring and lantern holder. Some sites can accommodate a travel trailer, while some sites are tent only. There is a boat launch a few miles down the road along
ROAN MOUNTAIN â A quick response from volunteer firefighters and state and local forestry personnel brought a forest fire off Tiger Creek Road to a stop after about 30 acres were burned on Wednesday and Thursday.
Carter County Emergency Management Director Billy Harrell said he spoke with James Heaton, forestry technician with the Tennessee Division of Forestry, around 3:30 p.m. Thursday. âHe said the fire was out and most of them were pulling out,â Harrell said.
Firefighters from the Roan Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the Hampton-Valley Forge Volunteer Fire Department and crew members from the Cherokee National Forest battled the blaze with the state division of forestry.
Blake Lunsford sharpens his knives for Santa Claus.
This woodcarver fashions Saint Nick figurines all year long, transforming bare wood into intricate faces of Kris Kringle with joy and delight for all ages.
âChristmas has a rush,â said Lunsford, of Bristol, Tennessee.
Lunsford, 47, a social services supervisor, grew up in Abingdon, Virginia, where he graduated from Abingdon High School in 1991.
He started carving Santa Claus figurines about 15 years ago as a stress-reliever. By now, he figures heâs chiseled Kris Kringleâs face about 500 times.
For years, Lunsford sold his works at the Holston Mountain Artisans, where he served as president of the long-standing art guild. He also sold his Santa Claus figurines at Heartwood near the campus in Virginia Highlands Community College.