Devils Race Track interesting hike

  I had done part of this hike 10 years ago when the Cumberland Trail project was getting started.  And it is worth the climb but I wouldn't call it an easy or beginner hike, but worth the effort. And while we went first to Cove Lake State park (they are helpful w/ maps etc) and parked on the far end to hit the trail I think there are ways to park closer to the actual ascent up to Devils Race track overlook.  The first mile or so wanders up and down a nice trail out of Cove Lake fork in trail after 200 yards goes right on main trail while a newer river trail will go under I 75 towards Frozen Head.   It was pretty easy but a few blow downs made it interesting to get thru some overgrown thicket area.  The kids were in good spirits early on (Gracie B my 11 year old, Jenna E age 12 (almost 12) and Jackson C age 12 and 4 year old rocky) but after 2nd mile and more climbing were not too keen on tackling the rough rocky area leading up to
"Devils Racetrack" area.  Much of the trail is right along I 75 and we could see and hear traffic but in a really remote looking area and it was pretty with views of snow up ahead of us.  Then close to 2 miles into the climb you are climbing over some treacherous rocks and we finally managed to get down to a lower trail we could see next to a pretty creek/river area.  The kids hung out there and ate their lunches, and Sharon S and I took off on a mad dash to live up to Racetrack name.  Right past our picnic area there are a series of GORGEOUS falls called 3 sisters falls (a nice photographer told us while shooting his shots)  They would be worth the climb. But Sharon and I had no time to waste so we sprinted up the half mile straight up to the top and it was Such a COOL and breath taking site.   We could wave and Jackson said he could see us ! .  So we made it up to Devils Racetrack in record time but want to go back to A. spend more time at the top, and B. find where to find the small road next to our picnic area below the outcropping to make it a shorter hike for kids.  Cory (see last photo) lives right on trail and helped us find a little of a cut thru behind his property and said there is a way to travel from Cove Lake park little further north and park along the creek below the Devils Racetrack to help make it a up and out 2-3 mile hike.

It is exciting to read more about the Cumberland Trail project of linking all these sections to a Cross State hiking trail, and it is WBIR where Jackson and I were meeting the Biggest Winner team for Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon team.  Jackson's Dad Randy is on our team and has lost 25 pounds and training for the marathon.  Jackson has caught the exercise "bug" too and did a great job hiking a pretty tough 5.5 mile trek today. And we added this to the list of fun "Missy Fit and fun adventures" and want to go back soon.

So many options at Forks of the River Trails

You can spend days and days exploring Forks of the river wildlife refuge area and never get bored.  And even on a dreary day it  has pretty scenery all around.  It is located past Ijams Nature Center where you go 1/2 mile and take the first left and you follow along Will Skelton bike trail and see the sign and dirt road off to the right that leads to parking lot.  You can head out the old jeep trail past sites from an old farm and just keep on going.  The jeep road has many spurs off to either side.   And the App Mountain Bike Club are making a lot more.  TWRA owns the property and recently partnered with LegacyParks and Knox City/County parks to allow the land to co-exist with TWRA and fitness enthusiast. But make sure you check to see if it is hunting season as it is not recommended to venture out in certain areas while hunting allowed.   Fairly soon they'll be connector routes back across Sevierville Pike to Hastie Park and eventually over to Fort Dickerson and on up to River Bluff Trails.