Region 1 TVA Watershed documents - what they mean to safe biking and hiking by Dan Reese.
A. Watauga/Wilbur Lakes Trail
which shows the B1, B2, and B3 areas. Click on the B1 .pdf and you’ll see in blue the TVA easement we are considering for development with a multi-use trail from area #1 at the top of the map, crossing Watauga Dam, proceeding along the shoreline to Shook Branch Recreation Area. The trail would follow the shoreline to Carden’s Bluff Campground. Now go to the B2 .pdf. From here we connect the Y’s Men Picnic Area and go around the Marina to the Watauga Point Recreation Area. Go to the B3 .pdf. From here we proceed to the Butler Bridge.
B. Watauga River Water Authority Water Line Trail
Although I no not have a topo on-line for this consider that the WRRWA is installing a water intake at Wilbur Lake and proceeding down steam on the Watauga River to a point outside of Elizabethton. This 6 mile easement will be surfaced with a multi-use trail and connect with the TVA project mentioned above. Branch off of the Watauga River water line easement will be a second line following Chamber’s Hollow Rd to Valley Forge community paralleling St. Rt. 91 but using an old rail bed to the Hampton community. This section is a 6.5 mile easement which too would be surfaced with chat for a multi-use trail.
Note in B above Valley Forge. This is the southern terminus of an unused rail line I have mentioned in FaceBook postings as the Tweetsie Trail. This unused line proceed north and west through the Elizabethton community following St. Rt. 67 then branching off through the countryside (total = 10.1 miles) to downtown Johnson City. Johnson City is in final negotiations with the owner of the line and are near finalizing the agreement and rail banking the entire corridor.
D. Overmountain Victory Trail at Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site
At the intersection of the Tweetsie Trail and St. Hwy. 362 near Sycamore Shoals TDOT has designed an improved road along Rt. 362 with trail enhancement to St. Rt. 67 (which goes to Roan Mountain). This provides the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail a 7 mile trail connection to Sycamore Shoals State Historic Site and being a National Park the OVNHT is looking at a ped/bike overpass over four lanes of St. Rt. 76 to the Historic Park.
D. Johnson City Greenway
Johnson City is currently building a greenway from downtown along St. Rt. 321 to East Tennessee State University past the Veterans Administration Hospital to the Johnson City Medical Center. As you will note this connects the entire system described above and provides approx. 33 miles of safe biking and walking venues.
Partners: TVA, US Forest Service, National Park Service, Carter County, Washington County, City of Elizabethton, City of Johnson City,
Southern Appalachian Greenway Alliance
Some of this is happening, some is not, some will be work for those who follow us but this presents one of the most incredible safe biking and hiking opportunities in the country. For more visual on the above take a look at the stills and videos I have linked on FaceBook. I know this is a lot more than what you asked for but it is always better to see the wider picture.
