Pascal Carter Memorial Park (Blog Hike #462)

Trail: (unnamed)

Hike Location: Pascal Carter Memorial Park

Geographic Location: east of Knoxville, TN (36.02019, -83.71443)

Length: 0.6 miles

Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)

Dates Hiked: April 2014, March 2023

Overview: A short but interesting nature trail to Carter Mill Springs and an old millpond.

Park Information: https://www.knoxcounty.org/parks/

Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=272860
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: East of Knoxville, take I-40 to Strawberry Plains Pike (exit 398).  Exit and go north on Strawberry Plains Pike.  Drive Strawberry Plains Pike 3.1 miles to US 70 and turn right on US 70.  Drive US 70 east 0.8 miles to Carter School Road and turn right on Carter School Road.  Take Carter School Road 0.2 miles to Carter Mill Drive and turn right on Carter Mill Drive.  The small blacktop parking area for Pascal Carter Memorial Park is 0.1 miles ahead on the left just before crossing a small creek.

The hike: I was lodging on the east side of Knoxville when I arrived at my hotel an hour and a half before sundown.  Could I find a trail short enough and close enough to squeeze in a hike?  My laptop quickly started browsing, and up came Pascal Carter Memorial Park, which claimed to have a short “natural trail.”

            Freestyle park-hopping is always hit-and-miss, but this park was more hit than miss.  Owned by Knox County, Pascal Carter Memorial Park appears to occupy the site of an old mill and quarry, though I could not find other sources of information to confirm my observations.  Carter Mill Springs, an abundant spring seen on this hike, would have appealed to pioneers, making this site ideal for early development.  Though short, this trail offers much to see in both the natural and historical categories.

Entrance to Pascal Carter Park

            Start by walking through a gap in the guardrail and passing a picnic shelter to the left.  Two wooden bridges cross the creek to the right to reach a large old water wheel; that will be our return route.  For now take the gravel trail that leaves the rear of the picnic shelter.  At only 0.1 miles, you pass what appears to be an old quarry on the left, as evidenced by the exposed chiseled bedrock and large, flat area at the cliff’s base.

            Past the old quarry, the trail turns to dirt and soon reaches a wooden bridge that crosses the creek to the right.  You will eventually go that way to continue the trail loop, but first take the spur trail that remains on the east side of the creek.  At 0.25 miles, the spur trail ends at Carter Mill Springs.  The creek appears to flow out of the base of the small mountain, and it did so with rather high volume when I visited after a heavy rain.  Some holes in the ground above the spring look like small caves.  Concrete benches provide rest for the weary.

Carter Mill Springs

            An unofficial trail climbs the mountain past the spring, but this hike retraces its steps to the wooden bridge and crosses it.  The bridge feels surprisingly springy given its young age.  The trail now follows what looks like an old road as it maintains a constant elevation and angles left.

Hiking toward the old mill site

            At 0.5 miles, you reach what appears to be the old mill site.  A very short loop leads around the now dry old mill pond, and the main trail crosses a dyke to exit the woods.  After entering the open grassy area, angle downhill and to the right.  Note with new appreciation the large metal water wheel and the millstones that lie at its base.  Crossing the two wooden bridges over Carter Creek and passing the picnic table on the island in the creek returns you to the parking area and completes the hike.

Old metal water wheel