Debord Falls - Panther Branch Trail - Frozen Head State Park

In early September 2020, we took a short drive to Frozen Head State Park near Wartburg, Tennessee. We hiked part of the Panther Branch Trail up to Debord Falls. The trailhead and paved parking are at the end of Flat Fork Road. The trail is an old road with a rock and dirt surface. Approximately 0.6 miles up the trail, a short, signed side-trail branches to the right to an overlook and stairs down to the falls. I've posted about the falls in April 2016 and again in April 2017.

Turnaround and parking at the end of Flat Fork Road

Trailhead information kiosk

Bridge over North Prong Flat Fork

North Prong Flat Fork

Typical trail conditions

A downed tree becomes a makeshift bench

Wide and seemingly deserted

A muddy section

Still pool in North Prong Flat Fork

A downed tree has been cut out of the way

Bridge over an unnamed stream

Trail junction for the falls

Approaching the overlook

View from the overlook

A closer view of Debord Falls

Side view from the end of the trail

Straight on

We had the place to ourselves

 

A final look

There is no entrance fee at Frozen Head State Park or any Tennessee state park.

The park website is https://tnstateparks.com/parks/frozen-head.

Burgess Falls State Park

In late July 2019, we visited Burgess Falls State Park again. The park is centered on the aptly named Falling Water River about ten miles south of Cookeville, Tennessee. From Interstate 40, take exit 286 south on Tennessee 135 for about 8½ miles to the park. There is one left-turn about 4.7 miles south of the interstate that is easy to miss. You've been warned.

Cascades

First Falls

Middle Falls

Big Falls aka Burgess Falls

Entrance to all Tennessee state parks is free.

The park website is https://tnstateparks.com/parks/burgess-falls.

Lake Loop Trail - Cove Lake State Park

Cove Lake State Park was initially developed by the Tennessee Valley Authority in conjunction with the construction of Norris Dam. IN 1937 Cove Lake State Park, along with Norris Dam State Park and Big Ridge State Park, formed the nucleus of the Tennessee State Parks. We walked a short loop trail in early October 2018. The paved trail included a 0.60-mile loop along with a 0.25-mile access that has to be walked twice for a total walk of 1.1 miles. There is virtually no elevation gain along the route.

Typical "trail" conditions

View west to Cross Mountain

Another view of Cross Mountain

Approaching the loop junction

A small embayment of the lake

Trail bridge over the mouth of the embayment

Still water in the embayment from the bridge

Cove Lake and Cross Mountain

A different perspective

Continuing around the loop

The southern end of Fork Mountain

A closer view

Fork Mountain with Cross Mountain in the distance

Cross Mountain

Reflections

Entrance to all Tennessee State Parks is free.

The park website is https://tnstateparks.com/parks/cove-lake.