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Video of a new accessible trail »
April 01, 2007
The Osborne Tract
A handicapped accessible section of the Appalachian Trail
You are here! Or maybe you wish you were!
Today I found myself in NE Tennessee after attending a trail meeting in Blowing Rock, NC. As I drove home to Chattanooga, I decided to take a detour near Elizabethton, Tennessee and drive up to visit a newly constructed segment of the Appalachian Trail. This segment of trail crosses a historic farm on a parcel of land commonly referred to as the Osborne Tract. This new section of trail was designed and built by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and their local trail maintaining organization, the Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoe Club.
After winding my way up TN 91 into the Cherokee National Forest, I finally arrived at the Cross Mountain Trailhead. There I found a new gravel parking lot and a brand spanking new kiosk.
After stashing my valuables out of sight in my trunk, I walked across the road and checked out the new handicapped parking lot for the Osborne Tract. I was also struck by the fact that the access trail for the Osborne Tract was graded and sloped for access by wheelchairs. There was also a beautiful stile that was wheelchair friendly. For those of you who don't know what a stile is, it's a structure that allows hikers into an enclosed area, but either keeps livestock in or out, depending upon the situation.
The view of the Osborne Tract from near the trailhead
Continuing along the trail, I was greeted by the song of the Song Sparrow. The field that the trail passed through was surrounded by fencing. A hardwood forest bordered the trail to the west, and to the east, Shady Valley rolled out and offered majestic views. About a quarter mile from the parking lot, a series of old farm buildings were scattered across the landscape. While I was taking in the scene, a hiker made his way south along the trail, and passed me with a nod and a "hello." As he passed me, I noticed that he had a large Volkswagen hubcap affixed to his pack. I can only assume that he picked it up along the trail, and is carrying it out to the next trash receptacle.
While out on the trail, I recorded a brief audio dispatch (620 KB) explaining a bit about the trail.
A fence and some old structures on the Osborne Tract
After spending about 45 minutes walking the property and shooting some video and photographs, I headed back to the parking lot. As I arrived in the lot, a hiker emerged from the woods. Daniel Morrell is a 17 year old from Albany, New York who is attempting a northbound thru-hike. He started hiking in late February with his best friend Dean, but his buddy dropped off of the trail at Fontana Dam. His trail name is "Carefree", but he is also known online as Grandma Dixie. I asked Carefree if he'd mind spending a few minutes and allow me to interview him about his trail experiences. To listen to this 6 minute interview, please click here. (3 MB)
To see additional photographs of the Osborne Tract, and to read a recent newspaper article about this new segment of trail, please visit the Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoe Club Osborne Tract web page.
Great Places to Hike | By Jeffrey Hunter | 08:19 PM
