Ijams Nature Center: South Cove/River/Discovery Loop (Blog Hike #463)

Trails: South Cove, River, and Discovery Trails

Hike Location: Ijams Nature Center, Wildlife Sanctuary

Geographic Location: south side of Knoxville, TN (35.95591, -83.86823)

Length: 1.4 miles

Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Date Hiked: April 2014

Overview: A rolling loop hike to the Tennessee River and a lotus pond.

Center Information: http://ijams.org/

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=726324
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: In downtown Knoxville, enter south on the James White Parkway.  After crossing the Tennessee River, take the first exit onto Hillwood Ave.  Turn left on Hillwood Ave.  Drive Hillwood Ave. 0.5 miles to its terminus at Island Home Avenue and turn right on Island Home Ave.  Ijams Nature Center is 1.4 miles ahead on the left.

The hike: For my general comments on Ijams Nature Center, see my blog entry for the North Cove/River/Tower Loop.  This hike also visits the boardwalk along the Tennessee River, but it gets there using the South Cove and Discovery Trails, which have a gentler grade than the North Cove and Tower Trails.  Also, this loop takes you to the Ijams’ family lotus pond and to the Ijams Homesite, built by H.P. and Alice Ijams in 1910.

Start of South Cove Trail

            From the front of the Visitor Center, start by walking across the boardwalk and walking a short distance on the paved ADA-accessible Universal Trail to reach the signed trailhead for the South Cove Trail.  Turn right to begin the South Cove Trail.  The dirt South Cove Trail climbs gradually and quickly reaches the highest elevation on this hike.  Where the Tower Trail exits left and the Beech Trail exits right, continue straight to stay on the South Cove Trail.  Mayapple, violets, trout lilies, and other wildflowers carpeted the forest floor on our early April hike.

Descending on the South Cove Trail

            The South Cove Trail descends on a gradual to moderate grade to reach its eastern terminus at the River Trail.  Turn left to head for the river.  The River Trail follows a power line corridor as it descends gradually.  At 0.6 miles, you reach the river bank.  The nature center was conducting a bank stabilization project when we hiked this trail: piles of rocks were being placed on the river bank to prevent erosion.

            You pass a geologic fold, a bend in the bedrock formed by the same forces that formed the Appalachian Mountains, just before you reach the Tennessee River boardwalk.  This boardwalk is necessary because the cliffs to the left fall flush against the river on the right, thus leaving no room for a trail.  Some caves in the cliffs are known to provide homes for bats.  A mallard swam up the river as we walked downstream.  The boardwalk provides the best river views on the hike, so take some time to admire the location.

Starting the boardwalk

My fellow hikers for this hike

            Past the boardwalk, the trail climbs gradually as it leaves the river bank.  At 0.9 miles, the River Trail ends at a junction with the Discovery and North Cove Trails.  To head for the lotus pond, angle right to begin the Discovery Trail, which climbs gradually along a stream.  Where side trails exit right, stay on the trail closest to the stream.

            1.1 miles into the hike, you reach the algae-filled lotus pond.  The pond was pretty quiet on our visit: only a turtle sunning on a log made itself known to us.  The lotus flowers would be quite stunning when they bloom in July.  Where the pond boardwalk splits, choose the option going right to maximize your pond viewing.

Lotus pond

Turtle in pond

            The boardwalk loops around to the right and reassumes dry ground just before reuniting with the main trail.  Turn sharply left to leave the pond area and begin a moderate climb to the Ijams homesite parking area, passing some nice oak trees on the way.  At the parking area, you can turn right to explore the Ijams homesite if you wish.  To return to the main parking area and complete the hike, take the blacktop Will Skelton Greenway to the left after you are done viewing the homesite.