Songbird Trail - TVA Norris Dam

A short break in the wet weather in early July, 2013, provided an opportunity for me to walk the two-mile Songbird Trail on the TVA Norris Dam reservation.  The trail is wide and surfaced with fine gravel except for a short section that is paved.  The eastern leg of the trail is mostly open fields while the western leg is mostly forested as it hugs the shore of the Clinch River below the dam.  Substantial bridges with handrails span the few creek and drainage crossings.  A short side trail leads to the water by way of a set of wooden stairs that also have a handrail.

A large, paved parking area is located at the upstream trailhead

The trail meanders through small groves of trees

Housing for some of the songbirds

The well maintained trail passes through open fields

Trees line both sides of the trail in some places

More open fields

Bridge over a very small creek

Path continues along the edge of  a field

Downstream trailhead

Clear Creek from the bridge

Bridge over Clear Creek leads to another parking area

Fog rises along the Clinch River due to the cold water
released through the turbines

The return trail is more secluded

Another bridge over an unnamed creek

The Clinch River as seen from the trail

Another view of the river from the bank

Stairs provide access from the trail to the water

Paved portion of the trail

Canoe launch facility

Norris Dam

Information about public trails maintained by TVA can be found at http://www.tva.gov/river/recreation/dispersed/trail-table_hold.htm.