- Highlights: Panoramic views, cows, Appalachian Trail, wildflowers
- Distance: 1.5 miles out and back
- Elevation Change 92 feet
- Trail Surface: Dirt and gravel
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Trailhead Parking: Cross Mountain trailhead, State Route 91 at Cross Mountain Road
- Trail Markings: White blazes
- Website: US Forest Service
- Beer Pairings: Elderbrew—Depression Breakfast & Deadhead IPA
Trail Map:
The Hike:
This hike is an easy walk on the Appalachian Trail through mountaintop pastures, with scenic views of surrounding mountains. A half-mile section of the trail is ADA compliant and wheelchair accessible. The AT winds through several pasture areas before entering the forest at just under one mile.
We were greeted at the trailhead by heavy cloud cover following a heavy rainstorm. During the hike, the clouds moved away and we enjoyed some great meadow and mountain views. The trail passes through several pastures separated by livestock gates. We encountered a herd of cows in the final pasture including some baby calves with very protectant mothers. Be careful out there!
Hike Photos:
Beer Pairing:
Elderbrew in Bristol TN is about 40 minutes from the trailhead. This eclectic brewery has 12 taps of craft beer including several guest taps. Art from local artists is displayed on the walls and they have live music on weekends. Depression Breakfast (5.5% ABV • 30 IBU) is a tasty oatmeal stout. Kathy really liked Deadhead IPA (7.0% ABV • 60 IBU), a west-coast style IPA from Destihl Brewing. Brewed with Citra, Mosaic & Chinook hops it has a nice balance of hoppiness and was nice and bitter. Cheers!
Hike and drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Stay safe, be responsible, and leave no trace.