Hike Description
Obed Wild and Scenic River Segment
(north to south)
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. 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.
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.
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 "a trail 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.
Trail Closure Information
The Obed WSR Segment is CLOSED in Catoosa WMA during Big Game
Hunts and During February and March. A 2.6 Mile portion of
the Nemo Bridge Trail, within Obed WSR and terminating at Alley
Ford, is open year round. Call Catoosa WMA 1-800-262-6704
or Obed WSR 1-423-346-6294 for current closures.
Directions to Trailheads
1.) To reach this trailhead take I-40 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.
2.) To reach the Nemo Trailhead, take I-40 to exit 347 and go
north on Hwy. 27 to Wartburg. Follow the signs in downtown
Wartburg to the Nemo/Catoosa Rd., and travel 7 miles to the Obed
W.S.R. bridge crossing, cross and take the first right down into
the Rock Creek Camp Area and the Nemo Trailhead.
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PDF Description of Obed Wild and Scenic River Trail |
