East Area Hiking - Norris Dam State Park

Norris Dam and reservoir split Norris Dam State Park into two sections. I've hiked in the west section a few times and written about the Andrews Ridge Trail (here) and the Marine Railway Loop Trail (here), but I had neglected the smaller East Area until a hike in early April 2016. I parked at the eastern end of Norris Dam and started hiking on white blazed Lakeside Trail. I chose the right fork at the beginning of the loop, saving the lakeside fork for the return trip. At the furthest extent of the Lakeside Trail, I continued onto the lower fork of the purple blazed Christmas Fern Trail. At the trail junction with the upper fork and the Tall Timbers Trail, I continued heading upstream on the red blazed Tall Timbers Trail. A sign at the switchback for the Tall Timbers Trail denoted an access route to the yellow blazed Lake View Trail. Upon arrive at the Lake View Trail, I headed up the steep switchback to the ridge instead of continuing upstream. At the ridge top, I headed west toward the cabins before taking the red blazed Tall Timbers Trail back down to the intersection with the Lake View Trail. From here, I retraced my steps back to the Lakeside Trail before descending almost to the reservoir along the lower branch of the loop and returning to the parking area. The entire route was about 2 ¼ miles. I then walked across Norris Dam to the west end and returned adding another ¾ miles for a total of three miles of easy hiking and walking. Except for a couple of blowdowns, the trails were in good to excellent condition.

Topographic map with GPS route

Elevation profile - round trip

White blaze of the Lakeside Loop Trail

Grass and bushes grow under the powerline

Open forest with views of the lake

Blowdown has been cut and removed from the trail

Covered bench marks the return path of the loop and the beginning of the Christmas Fern Trail

Purple blaze of the Christmas Fern Trail

Dogwoods in bloom

Fallen tree across the trail

Redbuds add color to early spring

Another covered bench

Signpost marks the end of one trail and the beginning of another

Red blaze marks the Tall Timber Trail

Uprooted tree fell parallel to the trail

A simple bench on the Tall Timber Trail

Instead of falling, this tree impaled the trail

Blowdown marks the beginning of the Lake View Trail

After the blowdown comes the horse blocking posts

The right fork heads up the ridge and allows for a loop hike

Yellow blaze marks the Lake View Trail

Switchback heading up the hill

Approaching the top of the hill

Trees have fallen around the information kiosk on the ridge

Keep right to continue the loop

The level ridgetop provides the opportunity to walk around the blowdown instead of climbing over it

Looking back, the tree took out half of the trail gate when it fell

Lake View Trail ends at the cabin loop road

Down the road is the Tall Timber Trail trailhead sign

Finding the trail wasn't too difficult

More blowdown and red blazes

Returning to the Lake View Trail to complete the loop...

...and continue on the lower switchback for the Tall Timber Trail

Back at the Lakeside Loop Trail to explore the lower part of the loop

Stone retaining wall and concrete anchors

View from the top of the stairs

Hand ropes are long out of service

View from the first flight of steps

Steep concrete stairs descend into the lake

Another look at the lake

West Overlook and upstream face of Norris Dam

Pontoon boat returning to the marina

Norris Dam marina

Norris reservoir

Clinch River below the dam

Fly fishing in the tailrace

Dogwood in bloom

Entry to Norris Dam State Park is free.

The park website is http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/norris-dam.