CUMBERLAND TRAIL Obed Wild and Scenic River Segment
This segment, currently under
construction, will lead the hiker over 17 miles of trail through
some of the most rugged terrain in Tennessee. The student
volunteers of Breakaway '97 called this segment a "trail of a
thousand steps."
TAKING A BREAK ON THE RIVER
DESCRIPTION OF OBED WILD AND SCENIC RIVER SEGMENT
Reminding us of the age when all our rivers ran free, the
Obed River cuts a wild path through the Cumberland Plateau.
Its gorges are cut deep with green waters that delight the
eye and offer solitude to those daring enough to explore the
Obed's forests. The Cumberland Trail, extending over 200
miles, offers this opportunity. Lying within Obed W.S.R.
National Recreational Park and Tennessee's Catoosa Wildlife
Management Area, this segment will eventually stretch for
over 17 miles. Currently, two portions of the "trail of a
thousand steps" totaling 7 miles are complete. Trail maps
are available from the Cumberland Trail Conference, Route 1,
Box 219A, Pikeville, TN 37367, or email us at
cumberlandtrail@rocketmail.com.
Nemo Bridge Trail:
This portion of the Obed W.S.R. Segment, within
the Obed and Emory River gorges, incorporates the Obed's 2.5
mile Nemo Trail and an additional 1.5 mile segment built by the
Cumberland Trail Conference, Tennessee Trails Association, and
Breakaway Volunteers, giving a total one-way distance of 4.5
miles. The initial 2.5 miles is rated moderate, and the final
1.5 miles strenuous, as you find yourself hiking down into the
Obed basin. From the Nemo Trailhead the hiker is exposed to
rising bluffs and glimpses of the Emory and Obed Rivers. As you
rise to the top of the gorge among a dryer forest of oak and
hickory, you will soon walk on the tailings of an old strip mine,
indicative of the history of the Cumberland Mountains. Notice
and explore the pools of water tapped by these old tailing piles
---what aquatic creatures have benefited from these pools? At
2.5 miles the trail continues on across old Alley Ford Road and
continues 1.5 miles into and out of the Obed Gorge to the
rewarding Break Bluff, a dramatic overlook of the Obed Gorge.
On your way to the bluff notice and give thanks to the trail
builders' talent, particularly when you reach the door, a 40-foot
drop from the bluff into the Obed Gorge below.
To reach the Nemo Trailhead, take I40 to exit 347 and go north on
Hwy. 27 to Wartburg. Follow the signs in downtown Wartburg to the
Nemo/Catoosa Rd., and travel 7 miles to the Obed W.S.R. bridge
crossing, cross and take the first right down into the Rock Creek
Camp Area and the Nemo Trailhead.
Devil's Breakfast Table Trail:
This portion of the Obed W.S.R. Segment, built by
Morgan County Regional Correctional Facility, covers 2.4 miles
one-way and currently terminates deep inside Catoosa W.M.A. at the
Rain House. From the Devil's Breakfast Table Trailhead, the trail
winds on the right side of the road for 0.2 miles before crossing
the road and dipping down below the bluff. You now find yourself
in Daddy's Creek gorge, rich with rhododendron, and for the next
mile you will walk under sheer bluffs and among the rock steps
laid down by the trail builders. Once again, the given name "a
trail of a thousand steps" becomes apparent here. At 1.2 miles you
will rise out of the canyon through an Appalachian cove forest
overlooking a ninety-foot sheer bluff cut by a cascading stream.
Cross the stream and proceed a short distance to the aptly-named
Blueberry Bluff side trail, with views of Daddy's gorge. Return
to the main trail and continue north 0.75 miles a side trail to
Morgan's Overlook, offering views of Daddy's to the north. Rejoin
the main trail and travel 0.4 miles to the Rain House, so named for
the shelter it offered the builders of this trail on many a day.
Here the trail ends, with trail work underway down in the gorge of
Daddy's Creek as it winds its way steadily north to join the Obed
River and connect in with the Nemo Bridge Trail.
To reach this trailhead take I40 to exit 320 Peavine Road and head
north 1.8 miles to a left on Firetower Road. Take Firetower Road 14.7
miles to Daddy's Creek and the Devil's Breakfast Table parking area
across the bridge on the right. Park and walk NE 40 yards on the
road to the trailhead.
Rob Weber
9/97
There are no adoptees for this segment. Please let us know if you are
interested in adopting and maintaining a portion of this segment.
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