Introduction
Today, the morning clouds gave way to afternoon sunshine. Sunny, cool, and breezy conditions are good hiking weather. Recent heavy rains, however, left muddy trails. I do not like to hike through mud, even if it is thawing. Frozen mud is fine. Instead, here I sit, writing about hiking. I would rather hike this afternoon!
The article from 10/23/2024 was about my 24th hike the day before at Norris Dam State Park. That article, inspired by Susan, a friend since our school days, expressed my desire to hike at Beauty Spot in Unicoi County, Tennessee. The conclusion stated, “When do I organize a family hike at Beauty Spot in Unicoi County, Tennessee? We will see. The thought is in my mind.” Then, I hoped to arrange a hike around last Thanksgiving or Christmas. Other priorities and interests sidelined the idea. The visit and hike, however, are still on my mind.
This 76th entry in the hiking topic section goes back almost 13 years ago to my hike with two coworkers at Buffalo Mountain in Washington County, Tennessee. Buffalo Mountain and Beauty Spot, both in northeast Tennessee, are not that far apart! I would like to have known that back in 2012. If so, I would have hiked Beauty Spot about 13 years ago.
Proximity of Buffalo Mountain to Beauty Spot
Beauty Spot in Unicoi County is only about 23 miles or a 45-minute drive south from Buffalo Mountain, which is near Johnson City, in Washington County. Sources: Visit Unicoi County: Things to Do: Adventure: Hiking Trails & Greenways: Beauty Spot & Unaka Mountain; Johnson City, Tennessee: Services: Parks and Facilities: Buffalo Mountain; and Google Maps: Directions: 570 Highridge Rd., Johnson City, TN 37604 to Beauty Spot Gap, Tennessee 37692.
In the spring and summer of 2012, I was part of a small group of newly hired state employees. We were in new-hire training in Johnson City, Tennessee. I drove up there on Sunday afternoons. I returned home on Fridays. My “long-suffering” wife had a weekend husband. The state lodged us in a swanky hotel and gave us a travel allowance. Two fellow new hires and I liked to hike. On a weekday, we decided to hike Buffalo Mountain! I wish that we had known about Beauty Spot. We could have hiked there also.
Hiking Buffalo Mountain on Wednesday, 5/30/2012
The date was Wednesday, May 30, 2012. The three of us guys were tired of sitting in the training room and enduring the bureaucratic policies and procedures that we were learning to do our jobs. The instructor tried her best to make the prolonged and mind-numbing experience palatable. Workday training was from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. After work that Wednesday, we drove to Buffalo Mountain to purge the “policy wonk” drivel from our minds and hike the mountain!
Johnson City, Tennessee: Hiking & Biking Trails states that Buffalo Mountain “offers 8.2 miles of moderate hiking trails with a more strenuous 1,500-foot rise from picnic area to top.” On that web page, clicking the Buffalo Mountain Park - Trail Map opens a trail map.
As I recall, from the trailhead (2,380-foot elevation), we hiked southeast and up the White Rock Upper trail and connected to and up the Hartsell Hollow trail. Turning east, we continued up The Noggin trail. I remember joking about that trail name. “Don't fall and burst your noggin!” We turned right or south, where The Noggin trail connects to the Tower Ridge trail. Shortly afterward, we turned left or north onto a section of the White Rock Loop. That took us to our destination, the White Rock bluff (3,100-foot elevation). The hike up was steady and not very strenuous. The weather was sunny and warm. We sweated enough.
That day, I saved nine photographs taken from the White Rock bluff. They were all taken around 6:50 PM. Would you like to see a few? I thought so! I'll share the best four.
The first three below are panoramic views from the bluff. Based on the sun and shadows, the views look mostly north. Can you spot my trusty canteen in the first image? That canteen still goes with me, hung across my shoulder, on every hike.
One of my now-former coworkers snapped the following image of yours truly. I'm looking right at you!
My canteen was strapped behind me. I still have and wear the cap and wristwatch. I may still have the blue jeans. I was wearing the same warm-weather hiking shoes that I still wear today. The soles are only a little more worn, despite all the hikes since then. The views behind and around me were outstanding that day.
Hungry after our hike, I recall the three of us going somewhere to have supper together. I probably changed out of my sweaty T-shirt and into the casual shirt that I wore earlier that day.
Conclusion
The recent unpleasant weather is making me itch for clear and crisp hiking conditions! Hopefully, a stretch of sunny weather will dry the muddy areas on House Mountain. I need two more hikes to reach my 200th hike along those rugged trails.
Bring on good hiking weather! I need to get into the woods. Of course, Norris Dam State Park and Big Ridge State Park are both nearby. Muddy areas along those trails are not as bad as House Mountain.
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