We had an opportunity to revisit the Indian Boundary Lake Trail in early May 2017. The trail loops around Indian Boundary Lake in Cherokee National Forest. To reach the trailhead from Interstate 75, take exit 60 heading east on TN-68 South for 24 miles to Tellico Plains. In Tellico Plains, turn left onto the Cherohala Skyway marked as TN-165 East. Drive 14.3 miles on Cherohala Skyway before turning left at the well-marked intersection with Indian Boundary Road marked as FS -345. Drive 1.3 miles to a T intersection and turn left onto Donnelly Branch Road. Continue as the asphalt surface is replaced with gravel to a large parking area and turnaround at the boat ramp.
We chose to hike the trail in a clockwise manner. The trail is basically flat as it circles the lake. It is a mixed use trail allowing both hiking and bicycling. Although marked in various locations along the trail as being a 3.1 mile loop, the Forest Service website claims it is 3.6 miles. Using a GPS receiver, I've found it to be closer to 3.25 miles. Most of the trail surface is finely crushed gravel. Even though rainfall has been above average for the spring, there were only a few muddy places along the trail.
Our previously documented visits to Indian Boundary Lake were in June 2012 and February 2014.
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| Topographic map with GPS route |
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| Boat ramp parking area |
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| Trailhead |
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| One of several bridges across streams flowing into the lake |
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| Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) |
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| One of the many streams flowing into the lake |
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| Example of a new bench and an old one on the trail |
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| The only meadow along the trail |
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| Typical trail condition in an open forest |
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| A short side-trail leads to a bench and a view |
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| A bridge through a rhododendron thicket |
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| Triple-trunk tree |
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| A bridge in the open forest |
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| Reflections |
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| Bowing handrails |
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| A sturdier bridge |
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| View from the bridge |
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| Mountain Laurel past its peak |
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| More reflections |
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| The trail turns off the old roadway |
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| A nice view of the lake |
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| Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum) |
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| Open shade along the shore |
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| Mountain Laurel near its peak |
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| Walkway across the dam |
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| The walkway is still single-file |
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| Water flowing over the crest of the dam from above |
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| Water flowing over the dam |
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| Lake view from the end of the dam |
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| Looking back at the dam |
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| View of the swimming area |
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| Another sturdy bridge |
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| Another view of the lake |
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| A fisherman at the volleyball court |
A fee is not charged for visitors to hike the Indian Boundary Lake Trail as long as their vehicle is left at the boat ramp parking area. Entrance to the camping and recreation area requires a day use fee of $3 per day per car or a camping fee of $20 ($10 for overflow non-electric sites) per campsite. The day use fee applies to a variety of activities including swimming and picnicking.
The Cherokee National Forest Indian Boundary Lake page is https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/cherokee/recarea/?recid=35150.
The national forest website is https://www.fs.usda.gov/cherokee.
