I C King park alcoa HW .. lots of shady trails

lots or wildfowers along lake side trail

 and pretty mushrooms

 about 2.8 miles to other side where picnic tables are located.  Evans and dog kate enjoying little water break

 the gang posing in front of lake at the old end of the road parking area.  Locked up now to get there but knox county parks and rec will unlock for big special gatherings.

 30 plus showed up on hottest day of year (felt like 110) at I C King park, but once we hit the trail by the lake and found the shade, it was all good.   The gang stayed on the lake side trail for mile and walked over bridge to other side. There are three hills on that side but we stayed along the lake trail till the end where we took a break at the old picnic area.  Then some decided to take on the hills and did 2 loops up high which all join the lake trail as well.   Most did 4 to 5 miles.   The history is that a Mr I. C. King had that property and was a US Marshall, justice of the peace, high up in poliitcs and owned a grocery back in the late 40-50's.   One of his grandsons was the late great sports writer Ben Byrd.   He died in his late 50's and the park was established in his name.  At one time there was ski boat ramps for shows etc at this area and part of the lake.

Lots of sunflowers w/ little adventure at Forks of River

We had a full "house" or parking lot at Forks of the River wildlife management area today.  The 5th hike in our Get out on local Trail series.  Thanks to sponsors Legacy Parks, Knox City/County parks and rec, Thompson Cancer Survival Center, Covenant Call Center and Mornings w/ Fox 43.    This is about half mile past Ijams at the end of a small road McClure.   We all headed out main gravel "jeep road trail" and turned left at the Silo area.  Then we hit the sunflower fields and snapped some photos and turned right onto the Will Skelton Greeenway.  After a half mile or more we came to the end.  There are two trails we took the left one which i call the river trail.  After 1/3 mile it comes back to the jeep trail where half went right w/ Ellen Blasius (knox county) and wound back to silo and to parking lot.  The rest of us went left and kept going on a rolling trail in the woods close to the water.  You can get some great views over the French Broad (or is that the Holston? think FB) and can see Sea Ray boat factory.  There are many smaller trails shooting off this one (all lead back to jeep trail), but we kept going as I said we'll come to a big field.  Well we did but the field was totally overgrown and we adventurers kept going and didn't step on any snakes etc Ha and finally found evidence of the jeep road trail again.   We went back right (you could go left out there and end up close to seiverville pike.   But by coming back to the right we were on the main jeep trail which leads back to the silo area and parking lot.

Hot House Mnt Hike But Cool breeze and views on top

  33 of us showed up on a hot muggy day to hike House mountain as part of the Get out on Local trails series for Friends of the Smokies.   After giving out some sunscreen from TCSC Ellen Blasius from Knox County Parks and Rec updated us on projects etc and is leading hike at Ijams Saturday June 9th  at 10 AM

We headed up the steep west side trail and like I warned it is pretty tough going with some rocks to navigate but we made it to the west end view and took some photos before heading across the flatter top area.   The top area was getting full of blackberries that we enjoyed.   You keep going on the trail and need to avoid going off to the left at one point as it does say Private property etc  You will pass the marked sign that shows you to keep going out east to see that look out or head down to go back to the parking lot.  Most of us headed out to see the Am Flag up on the super rocky area that gives you a great view of Blaine   Rutledge area and beyond.     Then some of us headed out even further on a small trail to see the end where you can see more towards the Smokies before navigating the winding trail back to the parking lot.   Good hike that feels more like hiking in the Smokies as it is more strenuous than other local trail hikes.

Fort Dickerson Hike Adventure

42 folks showed up at the new (not yet finished) fort dickerson trail.  This is off Blount Avenue on Augusta Rd.   There is a new parking lot there just opened up by knox city parks.  We headed down a gravel road first and it is about mile or less to fort dickerson quarry.   It is just amazing that is 1 mile from downtown knoxville.  After taking some photos etc I "tried" to lead them up to the top but got on another side trail that took us back to another end of the quarry.   After realizing I couldn't see the trail well due to city cutting back and clearing out big Gas line area we ventured back to parking lot to meet Joe Walsh.  He is director of Knox City parks and inbetween meetings he helped us navigate thru thick Kudzu up to the trails App Bike Club is making.  Once on the trail it was nice and shady.  We ended up back towards the top to see the view down over the Quarry.  Joe told us some about the history of the area (Fort up above where big battle between Union and Confederate soldiers fought)    Joe had to dash to a meeting but we walked the road in the park up to the top to see where the Fort was and some old cannon replica's are positioned with historic markers around the area.  Then we cut back down and found trail wihout so much Kudzu to our cars.   A good 4-5 mile hike