Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and Waimea Falls (Blog Hike #1070)

Trails: (unnamed)
Hike Location: Waimea Valley Botanical Garden and Waimea Falls
Geographic Location: north of Waialua, HI (21.63641, -158.05447)
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: April 2025
Overview: A modified out-and-back mostly on asphalt trail to Waimea Falls.
Park Information: https://www.waimeavalley.net/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=983720
Photo Highlight:

Hawaii Trip Video: (coming December 23)

Directions to the trailhead: Waimea Valley is located on SR 83 5.6 miles north of Waialua on the northwest side of Oahu.  Turn inland to enter the valley, and park at the only parking lot.  Alternatively, The Bus route 60 stops right outside the entrance to Waimea Valley.

The hike: Regardless of whether you arrive by city bus, tour bus, or private vehicle, at first Waimea Valley Botanical Garden screams tourist attraction.  There is the crowded parking lot and entrance plaza.  There is the mandatory concession building selling overpriced food items and souvenirs.  There is also the sky-high $25 admission fee.  But once you get away from the touristy stuff at the entrance and get into the garden itself, there is a very developed but very nice hike to be had here.  Of the 3 hikes I did on Oahu, this one may be my favorite even though it is the only one that does not lead to a beach.

            The garden is owned and maintained by Hi'ipaka LLC, a private non-profit organization created in 2003 by a collaboration of county, state, and federal agencies specifically to care for Waimea Valley.  In the previous 2 centuries, the valley saw ranching and farming, and Oahu high priests lived here.  Today a single main asphalt trail goes through the center of the garden to Waimea Falls, but an innumerable number of side trails offer access to the garden's more remote corners.  This hike goes out on the main trail and explores some of the side trails on the way back.

Information board behind ticket booth

            Walk through the open-air Visitor Center, pass through the ticket booth, pay the admission fee, and walk halfway around the circle behind the ticket booth to begin following the asphalt trail upstream.  Next you cross a side stream to reach an area dominated by native Hawaiian flora.  Many of the plants in this area are rare or endangered, and the ku'ula shrine, or fishing shrine, is also located here.

Native Hawaiian flora area

            750 feet from the parking lot, you cross the Waimea River on a bridge for the first of three times.  The river was a raging torrent due to recent rains on my visit, and the amount of water in the river will give an early indication of the amount of water in Waimea Falls.  You also reach a trail intersection here.  The trail going right leads to a dead-end loop on the south side of the river, and the trail going straight was closed on my visit.  Thus, I turned left to stay on the main blacktop trail.

Pineapple plants in Pacific garden

            The next segment passes through the hibiscus garden, which features seemingly every type of hibiscus from all around the world.  Tags help you identify the various flora.  Continuing upstream leads through the Central and South American garden and the Pacific garden.  The latter gives you the chance to see pineapple plants in a natural environment along with some large mango trees and a banyan tree.  I also did some nice bird-watching here that included some red-crested cardinals.  Later as I exited, some peacocks were roaming around the parking lot.

Large mango tree

            At 0.6 miles, you reach another major trail intersection just after passing Auntie Coco's Lei Garden.  I chose to turn left to remain on the main trail and explore the side trail going right on my return route.  The fruit, nut, and spice garden, which features some banana trees, comes next as you descend the steepest grade on this entire hike and cross another side stream.  While it seems odd to descend steeply while you are heading upstream, just keep following the paved trail: it is indeed leading to the main attraction.

Main garden trail

            You pass through the gardens featuring plants from the Mascarene Islands, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar in quick order while crossing the Waimea River twice.  Just shy of 1 mile, you reach the snack bar, amphitheater, viewing area, and swimming area for Waimea Falls.  The Hawaiian word for waterfall is wailele (pronounced like why-lay-lay), and at 45 feet tall and plenty of water volume, this wailele is quite impressive.  Swimming is allowed in the large plunge pool when the current is tolerable, which it was not on my visit.  The surrounding black-rock cliffs and green jungle-like growth make for a stark setting, and this waterfall made "wailele" my new favorite Hawaiian word.

Waimea Falls

Setting for Waimea Falls

            The trail ends at the wailele, so you have to reverse course through the gardens to return to the parking lot.  The return route is a good opportunity to explore the many dirt side trails that lead off into various parts of the garden and along the Waimea River.  While all of the side trails quickly come back to the main paved trail, they allow more lengthy and intimate interaction with the various gardens than the paved trail, plus they add some variety to your return route.  Also, although this is the only 1 of my 3 Hawaii hikes that does not lead to a beach, Waimea Bay Beach Park with its wide sandy beach, palm trees, and black rocks is located right across SR 83; it is accessible from the Garden by a short road walk and a pedestrian bridge.

Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park: Kapa'ele'ele Trail (Blog Hike #1069)

Trail: Kapa'ele'ele Trail
Hike Location: Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park
Geographic Location: Kahana Bay, HI (21.55636, -157.87591)
Length: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: April 2025
Overview: A loop on slippery, muddy trail with views of Kahana Bay.
Park Information: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/ahupuaa-o-kahana-state-park/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=983718
Photo Highlight:

Hawaii Trip Video: (coming December 23)

Directions to the trailhead: Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park is located on the north side of Oahu on SR 83 14.7 miles northwest of Kane'ohe.  Enter the park, and park at either the picnic area parking lot or the park office parking lot.  Alternatively, The Bus route 60 has a bus stop just outside the park entrance.

The hike: Formerly known as Kahana Valley State Park, Ahupua'a 'O Kahana State Park protects 5300 acres above Kahana Bay on Oahu's north shore.  The park gets its name because it contains Hawaii's only publicly-owned ahupua'a, or ridgeline that separates 2 watersheds.  The ahupua'a are significant because they provide a convenient way to divide up the island's land.  The valley at this park's center remains relatively in its natural state, but 31 families still live within the park's boundaries.  Thus, this park is sometimes called a "living park."

            The park has few amenities, but it offers 2 hiking trails: the 2.5 mile Nakoa Trail named for the many koa trees found along its route and the 0.8 mile Kapa'ele'ele Trail.  I came here on my final day on the island, so I hiked the shorter trail in order to visit as many sites on the island as possible.  The Kapa'ele'ele Trail is short and easy except when the trail is muddy, which it frequently is: Kahana Bay is the wettest area on Oahu, a very wet island.  During periods of wetness, this trail becomes a slippery muddy mess, and it becomes a battle just to stay upright and avoid sliding off the trail and down the mountain.  I won that battle on my hike but not without some scary moments.

State park entrance

            From the park entrance, walk in the main park road to the Visitor Center on the left and the park office on the right.  Some nice palm trees grow along the road, and I saw some chickens and other fowl wandering around the parking lots.  The park road continues into the park's residential area, but the signed trailhead for the Kapa'ele'ele Trail is located to the right (northeast of) the park office.  Restrooms are also provided near the park office.

Start of Kapa'ele'ele Trail

            The Kapa'ele'ele Trail heads into the woods on a wide two-track dirt road.  Some large koa trees live in this forest, and the dense greenery and damp environment give this hike a strong jungle feel.  A couple of wet areas need to be negotiated on this old road, but the real mud-fest is yet to come.

Sunny grassy area

            Just past 0.2 miles, the trail enters a small sunny area, where the ground on either side of the trail is covered with grasses.  The trail narrows here, and after re-entering the forest you start the climb to this trail's viewpoints.  The dirt underfoot has volcanic origin, and it not only gets super slippery when wet but also cakes on your shoes.  2 ropes are provided, 1 on the uphill section and 1 on the downhill section, for hikers to grab onto and keep upright.  I made it uphill without using the rope, but I had to hold onto the downhill rope with both hands.

Climbing toward the viewpoints

            Just shy of 0.4 miles, you reach the first reward for your climb: a broad view over Kahana Bay with green Mount Kauhi beyond.  Next the slippery and rooty climb briefly pauses as the trail dips to pass through a boulder-filled ravine.  All roots and rocks seem to be covered with a thin slippery smear of mud, so go slowly and step carefully.  The forest here consists of java plum and octopus trees, and the hike retains its jungle feel.

First Kahana Bay viewpoint

            After climbing out of the ravine, you reach the Koa Kapa'ele'ele Shrine: a collection of volcanic rocks some Hawaiian peoples consider sacred.  Just past the shrine, you reach the spur trail that heads left to this hike's highest viewpoint.  Although you are higher up the hill, you can actually see more of the bay from the previous viewpoint than from this one.  Take a few minutes to rest and decide which view you like best.

Highest Kahana Bay viewpoint

            A super steep and super rocky unofficial trail continues past the viewpoint and goes several miles up the ridge, but next comes the most adventurous part of this hike: getting back down.  You could go back the way you came, but I hiked the entire Kapa'ele'ele Trail by continuing straight and immediately heading straight downhill.  A couple of switchbacks soon ease the grade, and the descent is steeper but less rooty than the climb.  I went slow and hung onto the rope, and I made it to the bottom of the hill without leaving my feet.

Final descent

Kahana Bay, picnic area view

            Just shy of 0.6 miles, the trail deposits you onto the shoulder of Kamehameha Highway, also known in this area as SR 83.  Turn right to begin the road walk back to the park entrance.  You want to walk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic not only for legal reasons but also to admire the picnic area and beach along Kahana Bay to the left.   The views from the side of the bay may be the most scenic views on this hike.  Use the water hose at the shoe cleaning station beside the park office to wash the cakes of mud off of your shoes before boarding The Bus or getting in your car.

Ala Moana Regional Park in Honolulu, HI (Blog Hike #1068)

Trails: (unnamed)
Hike Location: Ala Moana Regional Park
Geographic Location: downtown Honolulu, HI (21.29291, -157.85408)
Length: 2.9 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: April 2025
Overview: An oceanfront loop on flat paved trail with views of the Pacific Ocean and of Diamond Head.
Park Information: https://pros2.hnl.info/parks/59570ad5e4ef9fe84fea45fe?d-direction=asc&d-sort=name&d-page=1&d-offset=0&d-limit=10
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=983717
Photo Highlight:

Hawaii Trip Video: (coming December 23)

Directions to the trailhead: This hike starts at the northwest corner of Ala Moana Regional Park at the intersection of Ala Moana Boulevard (SR 92) and Kamakee Street.  This point is most easily reached by bus, or you could park anywhere on Ala Moana Park Drive, which parallels this hike's route for nearly a mile.

The hike: After I graduated from high school in June 1995, 3 years before even the first version of this blog existed, my mom and I took our first hiking road trip.  We lived in Cincinnati, and that trip went south to Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on the Kentucky/Tennessee state line.  We visited and hiked in our first 2 states on that trip, and we set a goal to visit and hike in all 50 states.

            I took my mom on a cruise to Alaska in 2011 for her 75th birthday, where I hiked in my 31st state.  My mom died in 2014, having visited 45 states and having hiked in most of them.  In 2021, I hiked at Columbia Hills Historical State Park in Washington to get my 49th state.  Finally, in early April 2025, I boarded a plane that touched down in Honolulu just before sunset, thus visiting my 50th state.  I did my first Hawaii hike the next day, which is the hike described here.  This hike and the next 2 hikes are from my bucket list Hawaii trip, and while (hopefully) they are not the final hikes in this blog, they represent the culmination of an amazing 30 year journey.

            The name Ala Moana means "path to the sea," and while the park we see today seems to be idyllic and classic Hawaii, in fact it is anything but natural.  As recently as the 1920's a swampy marshland occupied these grounds, and the wetland was used as an unofficial garbage dump.  The park's land consists mostly of dredging deposits made by the Hawaiian Dredging Company in the 1930's.  The land was used as a military staging area during World War II, and the beach opened in 1954.  The park is owned and maintained by the City of Honolulu, and its close proximity to the city means that it closes every night at 10pm to discourage the homeless population from living here.

            Most of the park's amenities were built by depression-era federal agencies such as the Civil Works Administration, and those amenities remain the park's main features today.  Amenities include tennis courts, a lawn bowling green, a sports pavilion, a beach with lifeguards, and several miles of paved trails.  The hike described here forms a loop around the entire park, and while it is on asphalt or concrete all the way, it features some of the best scenery Honolulu has to offer.

Park entrance sign at northwest corner

            There are several places where you could start this hike, but I rode The Bus to reach this park.  Thus, I started at the park's northwest corner, the point closest to my bus stop.  Enter the park from Ala Moana Park Drive and head east on the concrete trail with busy Ala Moana Boulevard on your left and the park's west lagoon on your right.  This part of the trail passes through a mowed-grass area dotted with trees and boulders, probably of volcanic origin.  The surroundings are pleasant, but the noise and bustle of the city are everywhere on this part of the hike.

Hiking eastbound

            Just past 0.1 miles, turn right to cross a footbridge over the water channel that connects this park's 2 lagoons, then turn left to continue your eastward course.  The next part of the hike traces the northern edge of this park's developed area.  You pass the lawn bowling green, McCoy Pavilion, and the tennis courts, all on your right.  I did some nice wildlife viewing here that included cattle egrets, golden plovers, and feral cats.  Some picnic tables make nice places to rest and admire the birds.

Cattle egret

            At 0.8 miles, you reach the eastern lagoon.  Some palm trees and banyan trees live here, and this lagoon is larger and more scenic than the western lagoon, thus making this part of the park more popular.  Do a loop around the eastern lagoon by continuing east until you intersect Ala Moana Park Drive, and then turn right to walk the sidewalk along the drive.  Looking to the right provides a nice view of downtown Honolulu behind the lagoon, and the lagoon's water is so clear you can see fish swimming in the lagoon.

Eastern lagoon

Honolulu behind eastern lagoon

            1.1 miles into the hike, turn left to cross Ala Moana Park Drive on a crosswalk and head south with a huge parking lot on your right and the Ala Wai Harbor on your left.  This trail takes you into the Magic Island part of the park.  Originally intended to be a resort, Magic Island is a peninsula consisting of dredged coral fill that juts out into the ocean.  Thus, Magic Island provides this park's best ocean views.

View southeast toward Diamond Head

            At 1.5 miles, you reach the southern tip of Magic Island and this park's signature view: southeast down Oahu's shore past Waikiki to Diamond Head.  The colors of the green volcanic cone, beige beach, black rocks, and blue water combine with the sounds of the waves to make this viewpoint special.  After taking in this view, continue around Magic Island by hiking west with Magic Island Lagoon to your left.  Some piles of boulders block the Pacific Ocean waves from entering Magic Island Lagoon, and the lagoon's beach was a popular place on the warm, sunny, and humid late morning that I hiked here.

Magic Island Lagoon

            Near 1.8 miles, you climb some steps and turn right to begin the trail that goes up Magic Island's west side.  There are no views of Diamond Head on this side, but the ocean and its waves are still enchanting, and views of downtown Honolulu emerge over Ala Moana Beach.  At 2.2 miles, you return to Ala Moana Park Drive, thus completing your tour of Magic Island.  Turn left to begin paralleling Ala Moana Park Drive and begin the final portion of our loop.

Downtown Honolulu behind Ala Moana Beach

Ala Moana Beach

            The trail heads west with Ala Moana Beach close on the left and Ala Moana Park Drive close on the right.  Many people who drive to this beach park along Ala Moana Park Drive, and this area retains a very crowded city-type feel.  Soon the road and trail curve right to bring you back to the northwest corner of the park, thus closing the loop.  Downtown Honolulu is just steps away, and didn't that Hawaiian beach you just passed look very attractive?

Kings Mountain State Park: Lake Crawford and Historic Farm Trails (Blog Hike #1067)

Trails: Lake Crawford and Historic Farm Trails
Hike Location: Kings Mountain State Park
Geographic Location: south of Kings Mountain, NC (35.14913, -81.34491)
Length: 2.4 miles
Difficulty: 4/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: March 2025
Overview: A double out-and-back along Lake Crawford and to an 1800s living history farm.
Park Information: https://southcarolinaparks.com/kings-mountain
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=982090
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming February 27, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: Near the North Carolina/South Carolina state line, take I-85 to SR 216 (North Carolina exit 2).  Exit and go south on SR 216.  Drive SR 216 6.8 miles to the signed state park entrance on the left, passing back into South Carolina and passing Kings Mountain National Military Park along the way.  Turn left to enter the state park, pay the entrance fee, and drive the main park road 0.8 miles to the large parking area near the trailhead and the old Civilian Conservation Corps bath house.  Park here.

The hike: Often overlooked in favor of its bigger cousin Kings Mountain National Military Park immediately to its west, 6885-acre Kings Mountain State Park is the 5th largest state park in South Carolina.  The park came to be in 1934 when the federal government donated 6141 acres to the State of South Carolina, and many of the park's amenities, roads, and trails were built by the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).  The land has more relief than you might expect for metro Charlotte, and while there is no Revolutionary War history in the state park, the CCC structures and living history farm still give this park a strong historical feel.

            The park also features some nice amenities that include a 115-site developed campground, 2 small lakes, 30 miles of bridle trails, and a living history farm.  The entire Kings Mountain area is a major destination for hikers, and long-distance trails link this park with both the national military park to the west and North Carolina's Crowders Mountain State Park to the north.  This hike features 2 of the park's shorter trails, and it leads to 2 of the park's main attractions: Lake Crawford and the living history farm.

Main trailhead

            The main hiking trailhead is located at the southeast corner of the parking lot; a large information kiosk stands here.  The trail heads down some wooden steps with Lake Crawford visible below you.  The old CCC-built bath house sits to the left.  With some structural damage and broken windows, this bath house has seen its better days, and the park is currently trying to raise money to restore it.

Lake Crawford dam

            The trail descends below lake level and crosses Lake Crawford's outflow stream on a wooden footbridge.  Looking to the left, you will see the CCC-built stone dam that forms Lake Crawford.  Water spilling down the stone blocks creates a pleasant if man-made waterfall.

Turtles in Lake Crawford

            As you begin to climb the other side of the ravine, the trail forks.  We will go both ways eventually, but first turn left to begin the Lake Crawford Trail, which is marked with purple plastic diamonds.  True to its name, the Lake Crawford Trail follows a lakeside course with minor undulations.  I did some nice wildlife viewing on Lake Crawford that included many turtles and some Canada geese, and the lakeside scenery is pleasant.

"Overlook" at end of Lake Crawford Trail

            0.5 miles into the hike, you climb a low bluff to reach a bench overlooking the stream above Lake Crawford.  Trees mostly obstruct any view, and this overlook is very underwhelming.  Perhaps disappointingly, the Lake Crawford Trail ends here, and no other trails come to this overlook.  Thus, your only option is to retrace your steps on the Lake Crawford Trail to the trail fork near the dam.  Turn left at this fork to begin the other trail, the Historic Farm Trail.

Hiking the Historic Farm Trail

            Marked with yellow plastic diamonds, the Historic Farm Trail climbs away from Lake Crawford on a moderate grade.  The mature forest features a nice mix of pine, beech, and maple trees.  At 1.2 miles, you cross SR 216 and re-enter the forest on the other side.

Living history farm

Horses at living history farm

            Just past 1.4 miles, you reach the parking area for the park's living history farm, which is designed to reconstruct farm life in 1800s South Carolina.  The farm features several buildings including a farmhouse, barn, and blacksmith shop, and it also features live animals including horses.  After doing a short loop to tour the farm, retrace your steps to the Lake Crawford parking lot to complete your hike.

Roan Mountain State Park: Moonshiners Run Trail (Blog Hike #1066)

Trail: Moonshiners Run Trail
Hike Location: Roan Mountain State Park
Geographic Location: south of Roan Mountain, TN (36.16661, -82.09411)
Length: 2 miles
Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)
Date Hiked: March 2025
Overview: An out-and-back along the Doe River.
Park Information: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/roan-mountain
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=981643
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming June 19, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: From the town of Roan Mountain, drive SR 143 south 4 miles to the entrance for Roan Mountain State Park's cabin area on the left.  Turn left to enter the cabin area, then turn left again to reach the overflow parking lot for the cabin area.  Park in the overflow lot.

The hike: For my general comments on Roan Mountain State Park, see the previous hike.  While the previous hike led to an old ridgetop iron mine, this hike explores the rhododendron-filled riverside corridor along the Doe River.  The riverside area is nice any time of year, but it is especially nice in June when the rhododendron blooms, thus immersing you in a sea of pink flowers.

Cabin area trailhead

            From the overflow parking lot, walk a few feet back out to the cabin area access road and then look uphill to the right for the start of the Turkey Trot and Moonshiners Run Trails.  A wooden sign marks this trailhead.  The single-track dirt trail treads around a small ravine before it forks.  As indicated by a sign, the Turkey Trot Trail, which was closed due to storm damage from the remnants of Hurricane Helene on my visit, exits right.  Thus, you want to angle left to stay on the Moonshiners Run Trail.

Doe River

            Marked with yellow shield-shaped plastic markers, the Moonshiners Run Trail descends gradually to reach the bank of the Doe River for the first time.  The forest is dominated by sycamore, beech, and maple trees with some birch, and the riverside areas have a dense thicket of rhododendron in the understory.  Some debris from recent flash flooding needs to be negotiated, but overall the going is pretty easy.  Only traffic noise from SR 143 across the river detracts from the setting.

Approaching old concrete block foundation

            Near 0.4 miles, you pass an old concrete block foundation of unknown origin.  Next the trail undulates somewhat as it goes toward and away from the river, but the fact that you are heading downstream guarantees more down than up.  The rhododendron in this part of the hike is especially thick, and I wished I was hiking here in June when it blooms.

Rhododendron thicket

Destroyed footbridge

            1 mile into the hike, you reach the lower end of the Moonshiners Run Trail where it intersects the Forest Road Trail.  The Forest Road Trail was closed on my visit, and the reason why was obvious: the trail's wooden footbridge over the Doe River had been destroyed by the remnants of Hurricane Helene.  Normally you can continue straight to form a loop with the Turkey Trot Trail or turn left to head for the Visitor Center and the Peg Leg Mine Trail, but my only option due to the trail closures was to turn around and retrace my steps on the Moonshiners Run Trail.  1 mile of heading back upstream returned me to the park's cabin area to complete the hike.

Roan Mountain State Park: Peg Leg Mine Trail (Blog Hike #1065)

Trail: Peg Leg Mine Trail
Hike Location: Roan Mountain State Park
Geographic Location: south of Roan Mountain, TN (36.17622, -82.07905)
Length: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: 6/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: March 2025
Overview: A loop hike to the old Peg Leg Iron Mine.
Park Information: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/roan-mountain
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=981642
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming June 19, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: From the town of Roan Mountain, drive SR 143 south 2 miles to the Roan Mountain State Park Visitor Center on the left.  Park in the lot in front of the Visitor Center.

The hike: Tucked in the Doe River valley deep in the rugged mountains of east Tennessee, Roan Mountain State Park protects 2006 acres on the north side of its namesake mountain.  The park is most famous as a gateway to the Roan Highlands, a series of mountaintop balds that stand on the Tennessee/North Carolina border.  In fact, this area's famous balds are located in adjacent Pisgah National Forest, not in the state park.  The origins of the mountain's name and hence the park's name are uncertain, but one unsubstantiated story links the name to a horse with a roan coat pattern that was owned by Daniel Boone.

            Roan Mountain State Park offers many amenities including a 107-site developed campground, 30 cabins, a modern conference center, and 3 picnic pavilions.  The park also features the Miller Farmstead, where 3 generations of Millers lived and farmed for over 90 years.  Yet most of the park remains in its natural state, and the rhododendron that carpets the understory seems to turn the forest pink when it blooms in June.

            For hikers, the park offers 10 trails totaling over 12.5 miles, and difficulty ranges from easy streamside strolls to rugged mountain treks.  When I came here in mid-March 2025, some of the park's trails were still closed due to damage from the remnants of Hurricane Helene the previous fall.  Normally the 2 trails I hiked at this park, the Peg Leg Mine Trail and the Moonshiners Run Trail, can be connected into a single hike by hiking the Forest Road Trail, but the Forest Road Trail was closed on my visit.  Thus, I did 2 separate hikes on 2 separate trails at this park.  The Peg Leg Mine Trail is featured in this hike, while the Moonshiners Run Trail is the subject of the next hike.

Trailhead at Visitor Center

            The Visitor Center contains some interesting exhibits about the area's mining history that are worth browsing before or after your hike.  The Peg Leg Mine was an iron mine, and the Visitor Center area features a reconstructed water flume.  Water was used to power a 500-pound hammer, which was used to crush the raw iron ore into smaller pieces, thus preparing it for rail transport to North Carolina.  Head north out of the Visitor Center area with the Doe River to your left to begin a clockwise journey around the Peg Leg Mine Trail.  This trail is marked with blue shield-shaped plastic markers.

Trail along Doe River

            The initial segment of trail had recently been re-routed on my visit due to damage from the remnants of Hurricane Helene.  The forest features a nice mixture of pine, beech, and maple trees, and rhododendron crowds the understory along the river.  Soon the trail curves right to begin its climb to the old Peg Leg Mine.  The single-track dirt trail gains about 250 feet of elevation over 0.3 miles, so the climb is short but somewhat steep.  Just before reaching the top of the finger ridge, the trail levels out to embark on a sidehill course.

Spur trail to old mine

            At 0.5 miles, you reach the signed spur trail to the old mine, which exits right.  Turn right and descend the narrow, winding path down some wooden stairs to reach the old mine entrance.  Opening around 1870, the Peg Leg Mine is the oldest of several old iron mines in the area.  The mine was owned by General John T. Wilder, a Union Civil War general who came here via New York and Indiana.  Today the mine opening remains, but so do some pits miners dug as test holes and some boulders discarded by miners.  Entering the mine is a stupid proposition, but taking some time to think about the work here and the people who did it is not.

Peg Leg iron mine

            Back on the main trail, you cross a small finger ridge before beginning a steep descent that marks the hardest part of this hike.  The rockiness and steepness of the descent make for tricky footing and confirm that you are in the Tennessee mountains.  At 0.9 miles, the trail switches back to the right as you reach the bottom of the hill.  The balance of the hike is a flat riverside course as you head downstream on a narrow trail with the river to your left and the steep hillside to your right.  At 1.1 miles, you return to the Visitor Center, thus finishing the hike.

Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park: Patriots Path (Blog Hike #1064)

Trail: Patriots Path
Hike Location: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park
Geographic Location: Elizabethton, TN (36.34391, -82.25286)
Length: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: March 2025
Overview: An out-and-back past reconstructed Fort Watauga to where the Overmountain Men crossed the Watauga River.
Park Information: https://tnstateparks.com/parks/sycamore-shoals
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=981565
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 3, 2026)

Directions to the trailhead: In Johnson City, take I-26 to US 321 (exit 24).  Exit and go north on US 321.  Drive US 321 north 5.9 miles to the signed park entrance on the left.  Turn left to enter the park, and park in the large blacktop lot in front of the Visitor Center.

The hike: It was September 25, 1780 when the hardscrabble Overmountain Men gathered at the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River in present-day eastern Tennessee.  The Overmountain Men had helped the American Patriots in earlier Revolutionary War battles, and consequently British military leaders had threatened them with loss of land and life if they failed to lay down arms.  Given the campaign the British were waging in the upstate Carolinas at that time, the threat was not an idle threat.  Rather than lay down arms, the Overmountain Men marched over the mountains to Kings Mountain, South Carolina where they joined the Patriots in the Battle of Kings Mountain.  A victory for the Patriots, that battle proved to be the turning point in the Revolutionary War.

            Today the site in eastern Tennessee where the Overmountain Men gathered to begin their over-mountain march is preserved as Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park.  Established in 1975, this rather young park offers a fascinating mix of scenery and history.  The park features reconstructed Fort Watauga, the grounds of which constituted the Overmountain Men's basecamp.  The park also offers a nice Visitor Center and Museum that tells the story of the Overmountain Men and of the Cherokee and settlers that lived here.

            Hikers can explore the reconstructed fort and the natural areas on the park's 2 hiking trails, one of which was closed on my visit.  This hike uses the one trail that was open on my visit: the short and easy out-and-back Patriots Path.  The Patriots Path passes both the reconstructed fort and the scenic and historic Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River.  I came here on a damp chilly morning in early March, but I had a fantastic and inspiring hike.

Trailhead for the Patriots Path

            There are a couple of ways you could do this hike, but I chose to hike to Sycamore Shoals first and then see reconstructed Fort Watauga on my return route.  To execute such a plan, walk right/northeast of the Visitor Center and Museum, then turn left to parallel the park road and find the signed start of the Patriots Path.  A simple wooden sign and a white shield-shaped plastic trail marker mark the trailhead.  Numbered posts indicate the existence of an interpretive guide for this trail, but I did not see one at the Visitor Center.

Hiking the Patriots Path

            The Patriots Path is paved with finely crushed gravel.  At first it continues to parallel the park road, but soon the road curves right and the trail continues straight to enter the woods.  At 0.2 miles, the trail forks.  The Patriots Path continues straight, but to add a little more distance I turned right to leave the gravel and hike a short dirt trail.  This dirt trail forms a short loop through young forest, and it provides your first look at the Watauga River, which is wide and calm at this point.

Watauga River

            At 0.35 miles, you rejoin the gravel Patriots Path, now heading south through a narrow strip of woods with the river on your right.  Near 0.5 miles, you pass the historic point where the Overmountain Men crossed the river to reach their gathering point for their march over the mountains to South Carolina.  Imagine wading across this river with your rifle and provisions, anxious about the forthcoming march through the wilderness and the British troops you will fight in South Carolina.

Historic river crossing

            Just south of the historic river crossing, the trail forks to form a loop.  To save the riverside section for last, I turned left and used the trail going right as my return route, thus hiking the short loop clockwise.  The first/south arm of the loop is the worst part of this hike: it stays close to noisy US 321 and an industrial area.

Sycamore Shoals

            0.9 miles into the hike, you return to the Watauga River and reach Sycamore Shoals.  While not really a cascade, an island in the river forces the water over some rocks, and the shoals produce pleasant visual and audio scenery.  Continuing upstream from the shoals, the riverside scenery continues, and I did some nice wildlife viewing that included some Canada geese, mallards, and bufflehead in the river.  

Reconstructed Fort Watauga

            Just shy of 1 mile, you close the loop.  Retrace your steps along the gravel trail, then turn right at 1.25 miles to enter reconstructed Fort Watauga.  The reconstructed wooden fort features buildings that have been furnished to demonstrate frontier life in the 1700's, and walking around the fort is a wonderfully inspiring educational experience.  After touring the fort, head east to climb the stairs to the back door of the Visitor Center and complete the hike.