Big South Fork NRRA: Oscar Blevins Farm Loop (Blog Hike #170)

Trail: Oscar Blevins Farm Loop

Hike Location: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area

Geographic Location: west of Oneida, TN (36.49029, -84.70145)

Length: 4 miles

Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Dates Hiked: February 2005, May 2015

Overview: A creekside hike through young forest culminating at an abandoned farm.

Trail Information: http://www.nps.gov/biso/planyourvisit/tntrails.htm

Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=188110
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From Oneida, head west on SR 297 and pass through the gorge of the Big South Fork.  Immediately after ascending the west bank of the gorge, turn right on the marked park road for the Bandy Creek Visitor Center and Campground.  In 2 miles, you will reach the Visitor Center on your left and the campground entrance on your right.  Continue another 0.2 miles to the paved trailhead parking lot on your left (just before the road turns to gravel).  Park in this lot.

The hike: No one familiar with hiking in the southeastern United States will be a stranger to Big South Fork.  The area is especially popular with hikers seeking to get away from the crowds and tourist traps that populate the Great Smoky Mountains.  Those who make the extra journey will find trails isolated enough to provide solitude but well-traveled enough to keep them well-marked and well-maintained with modern conveniences only a few miles away.

Only two areas were selected within Big South Fork for development.  Blue Heron in Kentucky was selected to preserve the region’s coal mining heritage and act as a tourist draw.  Bandy Creek in Tennessee serves a more practical purpose with its campground, picnic areas, and Visitor Center, which provides information for all parts of the Tennessee Big South Fork.  As such, Bandy Creek forms the hub of the Big South Fork in Tennessee.

In addition to the facilities mentioned above, the Bandy Creek Trailhead serves as a hub for several trails in the area.  The long and difficult Fall Branch Trail heads east across the park road to Grand Gap before descending to Leatherwood Ford, a trailhead you passed on your drive in.  The moderate 6.3 mile John Litton Farm Loop also heads east and provides access to the abandoned Litton Farm.  The trail described here heads west and offers a shorter, easier version of the Litton Farm loop as it takes visitors to the Blevins Farm.

Sign board at trailhead

            Follow the trail that goes directly behind the sign board to begin the Oscar Blevins Farm Loop.  The trail crosses a bridle trail and then descends slightly to cross a small tributary of Bandy Creek on a footbridge.  Numbered sign posts correspond to a trail brochure available at the Visitor’s Center.  In 0.25 miles, the trail forks at a signed junction to create the loop.  This trail description will turn right here to provide the shortest access to the farm and use the left trail as the return route.

From the junction, the trail ascends gently to top a ridge then curves right to pass through the upper reaches of a ravine which descends to the left.  All along the trail you will see fallen pine trees that have been cut down by volunteers and the park staff.  The southern pine beetle has devastated Tennessee's pine forests leaving trees as shells waiting to fall on unsuspecting hikers.  Fortunately, the park has had the foresight to remove many dangerous trees before any accidents can happen.  At 0.9 miles, pass through an area that has been particularly hard hit by the beetle.

Ridgetop hiking on Blevins Farm Loop

            After crossing a couple small tributaries and skirting a couple wet spots (during the wet season), cross the mountain bike trail (blazed with green bike-shapes) at 1.2 miles.  The trail ascends slightly to enter a cool hemlock grove, a brief respite from the young succession forest that pervades much of this hike.  1.6 miles into the hike, the trail comes out at a gravel driveway and the entrance to the Blevins Farm.  The farm is surrounded by split-log fence, but a portal just to the left of the vehicle gate allows hikers access even when the gate is closed. 

The Blevins Farm is an abandoned subsistence farm that was active as recently as the 1960’s.  During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, this type of farm dominated the Scott County countryside.  The homestead has been boarded up to prevent vandalism, but you can still see various farm buildings including the barn, hen house, and tool house.  Imagine being part of a family living in that homestead and working the ground to grow enough food for you and the livestock to eat.  A few reminders of those days still live on when you visit a place such as this.

Blevins farm homestead

Blevins farm buildings

            Past the farm, take the trail to the right as it skirts the split-log fence on the right.  Pass a springhouse, now located just outside the fenced area, on your right that would have been used to keep food cool in the warmer months.  The trail leaves the abandoned farm behind, descends gently, and at 2 miles makes the first of two crossings of Bandy Creek, both on footbridges.  At 2.2 miles, the trail intersects the mountain bike trail, which enters from the left.  For the next 0.5 miles, these two trails will share the same treadway, so keep an ear open for bikers zooming up behind you.

Hiking the Blevins Farm Loop

            The combined bike and hiking trail is wide but fairly rough with several sections of bare rock.  Bandy Creek gurgles pleasantly on your left during times of high water tables.  Large amounts of rhododendron along the creek will make for astounding viewing when it blooms in late May and early June.  After a short ascent away from the creek, the Blevins Loop exits at a soft angle to the left while the mountain bike trail continues south toward SR 297.  Watch for the red arrowhead hiking blazes to make sure you do not miss this turn.

At 2.7 miles, the West Entrance Trail enters from the right.  This trail leads 2.4 easy miles to the West Entrance Trailhead, located on SR 297 at the (you guessed it) west entrance to the park.  The trail descends to cross Bandy Creek on a long footbridge and then begins a long gradual climb.  At 3 miles, a large rock shelter can be seen uphill and to the left when the trees are leafless.  This rock shelter can be reached via a short spur trail that is worth the time to hike.  Some rocks on the shelter floor make nice benches for a rest before tackling the remainder of the ascent.

The trail passes along the foot of some sandstone cliffs that also provide some dripping waterfalls in the wet season.  At 3.2 miles, the trail enters a very scenic hollow ringed by the sandstone cliffs and containing numerous attractive waterfalls in the creek to your left.  More rhododendron add to the display in season.  The trail climbs a steep but short set of steps and crosses a boardwalk directly underneath a drip line.  This area could be slippery when wet and downright treacherous in icy conditions, so watch your step.  Once the boardwalk is crossed, another 0.1 miles of uphill hiking with a now smaller stream on your right closes the loop.  Retrace your steps for 0.25 miles to return you to the trailhead and complete the hike.