Piney River Segment
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CUMBERLAND TRAIL
Piney River Segment |
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This 22-mile segment currently has 10 miles open. The
segment will begin at the Piney River Pocket Wilderness Trailhead and
incorporates the existing Pocket Wilderness trails. The trail
is located within the Piney River watershed before finally escaping
the escarpment above Spring City. The open trail is one of the Bowater Pocket Wilderness trails in Tennessee built by Bowater to provide hiking and recreation to the public. The Pocket Wildernesses offer established, heavily-visited trail systems that provide superb feeders into the Cumberland Trail. One of the Cumberland Trail's most active private sector supporters, Bowater generously donated 30 miles of trail corridor including this and other pocket wilderness areas to the State in 2007 so that they would become part of the Tennessee State Park system.
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.
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.
See the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas PINEY FALLS STATE NATURAL AREA webpage for a description of the 440-acre Piney Falls Natural Area.
| Location | GPS Waypoint in WGS 84 format |
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| Piney River Trailhead | N35 42.834 W84 52.821 |
| McDonald Creek | N35 42.091 W84 53.617 |
| Piney River Bridge | N35 42.219 W84 54.313 |
| Pine Branch Bridge | N35 41.980 W84 54.596 |
| Rockhouse Branch Bridge | N35 41.665 W84 54.800 |
| Logging Camp Loop Spur | N35 41.643 W84 54.758 |
| Rockhouse Branch Spur | N35 41.522 W84 54.784 |
| Hemlock Falls Spur | N35 41.488 W84 55.220 |
| Deep Pool Bridge | N35 41.574 W84 55.353 |
| Spider Den Spur | N35 41.422 W84 55.657 |
| White Pine Cascades | N35 41.218 W84 56.033 |
| Duskin Creek Bridge | N35 41.434 W84 56.797 |
| Duskin Creek Parking | N35 41.402 W84 56.997 |
| Newby Branch Trailhead | N35 42.076 W84 57.285 |
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.
| Location | GPS Waypoint in WGS 84 format |
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| Trailhead | N35 42.834 W84 52.821 |
| Twin Rocks Overlook | N35 42.568 W84 52.983 |
East Piney River Trail Picnic Area Trailhead:
Take Hwy 68 north out of Spring City. Approximately one mile from Spring City turn left
on Shut-in Gap Road. Drive about a mile to the picnic area parking lot. The trail starts
just across the road from the picnic area.
Newby Forest Branch Camp and Trailhead: Drive past the East Piney River Picnic Area Trailhead. Continue to the top of the plateau and until you see the sign on the left pointing to Newby Branch Forest Camp. Follow the signs to the campsite and parking area.
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You are REQUIRED
to register to camp and/or park after sunset at the trailheads. There is no fee. The information you provide will help us to provide security and also to determine if there is a need to expand the camping area and provide designated campsites in order to enhance your hiking and camping experience. As people discover this spectacular area, public use is increasing rapidly.
To register your group on-line, please complete the
ONLINE GORGES CAMPSITE REGISTRATION FORM.
You will automatically be emailed a copy of your submission for your records. A confirmation code will be supplied upon submission of the online form. Please be prepared to supply this confirmation code to the Park Ranger if asked.
To register your group by phone, please call 423-566-2253 and give the information required on the online registration form by phone.
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