CUMBERLAND TRAIL Obed Wild and Scenic River Segment

This segment, with 14.2 miles of trailhead-to-trailhead core corridor constructed, will lead the hiker over some of the most rugged terrain in Tennessee. The student volunteers of Breakaway '97 called this segment a "trail of a thousand steps." A hiker who got his first look at it at its official opening in September 2000 called it "the trail of thousands of steps." You'll find excellent stone-step work on several portions of this segment. At present, this trail begins at the Nemo trailhead and incorporates the Obed's 2.5 mile Nemo Trail. The trail then extends an additional 10.5 miles to the Devil's Breakfast Trailhead, providing the hiker with a challenging and exhilarating thru-hike. Planning is currently underway to add another 4.0 miles in the future.

Father and Son Backpackers Pause at River

Viewing the Obed River from Omigod Overlook During Fall Backcountry Outing

Rock Creek campground now has a fee, $7.00/day, 1/2 price Golden Age Golden Access Passport

Reminding us of the age when all our rivers ran free, the Obed River cuts a wild path through the Cumberland Plateau. Its gorges are cut deep with green waters that delight the eye and offer solitude to those daring enough to explore the Obed's forests. The Cumberland Trail, which at its completion will extend almost 300 miles, offers this opportunity. Lying within Obed W.S.R. National Recreational Park and Tennessee's Catoosa WildlifeManagement Area, this segment will eventually stretch for over 17 miles, with 14.2 miles of core trail now open.

Nemo Bridge Trail: This portion of the Obed W.S.R. Segment, within the Obed and Emory River gorges, incorporates the Obed's 2.5mile Nemo Trail and an additional 2.5 mile segment built by the Cumberland Trail Conference, Tennessee Trails Association, and Breakaway Volunteers, giving a total one-way distance of 5.0 miles. The initial 2.5 miles is rated moderate, and the final 2.5 miles strenuous, as you find yourself hiking down into the Obed basin. From the Nemo Trailhead the hiker is exposed to rising bluffs and glimpses of the Emory and Obed Rivers. As you rise to the top of the gorge among a dryer forest of oak and hickory, you will soon walk on the tailings of an old strip mine, indicative of the history of the Cumberland Mountains. Notice and explore the pools of water tapped by these old tailing piles---what aquatic creatures have benefited from these pools? At 2.5 miles the trail continues on across old Alley Ford Road and continues 1.5 miles into and out of the Obed Gorge to the rewarding Break Bluff, a dramatic overlook of the Obed Gorge. On your way to the bluff notice and give thanks to the trail builders' talent, particularly when you reach the door, a 40-foot drop from the bluff into the Obed Gorge below. The next 1.0 miles follows the bluff.

To reach the Nemo Trailhead, take I40 to exit 347 and go north on Hwy. 27 to Wartburg. Follow the signs in downtown Wartburg to theNemo/Catoosa Rd., and travel 7 miles to the Obed W.S.R. bridgecrossing, cross and take the first right down into the Rock CreekCamp Area and the Nemo Trailhead.

LUNCH AT BREAKAWAY BLUFF

Devil's Breakfast Table Trail: This portion of the Obed W.S.R. Segment, built by Morgan County Regional Correctional Facility and CTC volunteers, covers 8.0 miles one-way and currently terminates deep inside Catoosa W.M.A. at the end of the abandoned dinky rail line. From the Devil's Breakfast Table Trailhead, the trail winds on the right side of the road for 0.2 miles before crossing the road and dipping down below the bluff. You now find yourself in Daddy's Creek gorge, rich with rhododendron, and for the next mile you will walk under sheer bluffs and among the rock steps laid down by the trail builders. Once again, the given name "atrail of a thousand steps" becomes apparent here. At 1.2 miles you will rise out of the canyon through an Appalachian cove forest overlooking a ninety-foot sheer bluff cut by a cascading stream. Cross the stream and proceed a short distance to the aptly-named Blueberry Bluff side trail, with views of Daddy's gorge. Return to the main trail and continue north 0.75 miles a side trail to Morgan's Overlook, offering views of Daddy's to the north. Rejoin the main trail and travel 0.4 miles to the Rain House, so named for the shelter it offered the builders of this trail on many a day. Then the trail works down in the gorge of Daddy's Creek as it winds its way steadily north to join the Obed River and connect in with the Nemo Bridge Trail.

To reach this trailhead take I40 to exit 322 Peavine Road and head north 1.8 miles to a left on Firetower Road. Take Firetower Road 14.7 miles to Daddy's Creek and the Devil's Breakfast Table parking area across the bridge on the right. Park and walk NE 40 yards on the road to the trailhead.

TAKING A BREAK ON THE RIVER

We share public lands with other outdoor enthusiasts. Much of the funding to manage these lands comes from the sales of hunting and fishing licenses and the taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. TWRA lands are entirely purchased and managed by license fees and taxes on hunting and fishing equipment. Hikers and hunters share interests in the environment and conservation and a love of wildlife, of being outdoors. Hunters have done more for conservation and preservation than any other group. A lot of species, including some non-game species, wouldn't be here today if not for hunters. Tennessee hunters and TWRA are among the Cumberland Trail's biggest supporters and donors. Much of the Cumberland Trail is located on TWRA lands and we consider our partnership essential to building this protected greenway that will act as a buffer to protect water quality and provide natural habitat for animals. With the exception of a few managed hunt dates, licensed Tennessee hunters generously share access to TWRA lands with hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. For this reason, many hikers purchase annual licenses to support the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency. Visit the TWRA website for up to date information on big game and turkey hunts in the Wildlife Management Areas before planning your fall and spring hikes.

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