Conasauga Creek
Scenic Drive & Picnic Directions
Monday June 15, 2020
Dana Koogler
I am starting a new blog series for various places to take a scenic, fun drive in the country and have a picnic or cookout. I hope it will be a useful and inspiring tool for folks to access. It will be helpful to myself to be able to refer back to it. The new series will be searchable by looking up Scenic Drives and Picnics. I have written a blog on great picnic locations twice before and it was a success both times. I think this will be even better.
It will be suggestions and directions that can be printed off.
Overview-- Scenic Drive down to Tellico Plains and around a loop from Hwy 68, around Witt Road, to Hotwater Road and back to Hwy 68 at the Coker Creek Visitor Center. We cooked out at Buck Bald at the end of our day. It is right at 12 miles from the point you start at FR 341 along Hwy 68 and come out across from the welcome center.
**Warning**
This drive is a mountain road and as such is rough and rutted in places. It requires you to drive through streams four or five times. It is recommended to drive it with a high clearance, four wheel drive vehicle.
We noted downed trees in numerous places along it. It probably isn't a bad idea to carry a chain saw or be prepared to turn around if need be. My daughter drives a Toyota Highlander and is unaccustomed to four wheeling, but handled it like a boss. Same warning applies for driving to Buck Bald except the road is in better condition and you do not have to ford streams.
**Warning**
This drive is a mountain road and as such is rough and rutted in places. It requires you to drive through streams four or five times. It is recommended to drive it with a high clearance, four wheel drive vehicle.
We noted downed trees in numerous places along it. It probably isn't a bad idea to carry a chain saw or be prepared to turn around if need be. My daughter drives a Toyota Highlander and is unaccustomed to four wheeling, but handled it like a boss. Same warning applies for driving to Buck Bald except the road is in better condition and you do not have to ford streams.
Conasauga Creek Scenic Loop
Driving Directions: From Tellico Plains at the intersection of Hwy 68 and Hwy 165 (Cherohala Skyway) stay straight on Hwy 68 South for 2.20 miles and turn RIGHT onto FR 341 (Witt Road) which is signed as a turn for Conasauga Falls. Stay LEFT at the spur road for Conasauga Falls.
Remain on this road for 7.5 miles. At this point you will come to an intersection where the road appears to bend left or go straight. Stay STRAIGHT here though the road is rough and rutted looking.
Drive for another mile and bear LEFT onto Cannon Ridge Rd.
Drive 0.20 miles and Stay STRAIGHT on Epperson Rd. for another 0.70 miles and bear LEFT onto Hot Water Rd. Stay straight on Hot Water road another 2.50 miles and you will come back out on Hwy 68
directly across from the Coker Creek Welcome Center.
Route Highlights
This route provides an opportunity for a side trip for a short easy hike by driving the Conasauga Spur Rd to its end.. you could hike down and back to see the beautiful Conasauga Falls.
Above: Conasauga Falls is about 1.5 miles Round trip.
Numerous shallow creek fords to drive through on your way provide scenic places to relax and stroll around. Kids can play safely in the creek.
A side trip downstream from the first ford provides an easy view of some very scenic cascades on Conasauga Creek as well as a wide place to park and picnic or play. The first and 3rd fords were our favorites for both scenery, pull off space and good play spots.
Above: Conasauga Creek near the first ford.
Above: Down from the first ford about 300 feet is this pretty spot. Gorgeous forest drive with Spring and Summer wildflowers abundant on the roadsides. Emerges at a residential area where the drive through the country provides a view of the Unicoi Crest in the distance. Beautiful country scenery with barns, quaint country homes and lawns, horses, and old buildings.
Above: Third crossing is a glorious spot to play in the creek or bring your fishing pole! Restroom stops during non Covid times are available in Tellico Plains at the visitor center as well as at the Coker Creek Welcome Center once you come back out on Hwy 68.
Buck Bald Driving Directions
From the Coker Creek Welcome Center along Hwy 68 head SOUTH on Hwy 68 for five miles to a signed turn to the LEFT onto Old Highway 68 for Buck Bald. Stay on the main gravel road that climbs 2.25 miles up to the summit of Buck Bald. You will only encounter one intersection. Stay LEFT and keep winding round the mountain til you come to the top.
Buck Bald Attractions:
360 degree view atop a grassy bald of the entire Unicoi Crest and surrounding mountain ranges. One picnic table available on top to use.
No trash receptacles so take your trash with you when you leave. No restroom facilities.
Quiet, cool mountain top with plenty of space to let kids run around and play or fly a kite, or watch the sunset.
**What Could We Have Done Better? **
Take along Bleach wipes for the picnic table.
Take along a larger trash bag
Bring own lawn chairs or blanket for sitting on the ground should the table already be in use by others.
above: Buck Bald has a 360 degree view!
Below: Getting ready to fire up the grill to cook burgers
Remain on this road for 7.5 miles. At this point you will come to an intersection where the road appears to bend left or go straight. Stay STRAIGHT here though the road is rough and rutted looking.
Drive for another mile and bear LEFT onto Cannon Ridge Rd.
Drive 0.20 miles and Stay STRAIGHT on Epperson Rd. for another 0.70 miles and bear LEFT onto Hot Water Rd. Stay straight on Hot Water road another 2.50 miles and you will come back out on Hwy 68
directly across from the Coker Creek Welcome Center.
Route Highlights
This route provides an opportunity for a side trip for a short easy hike by driving the Conasauga Spur Rd to its end.. you could hike down and back to see the beautiful Conasauga Falls.
Above: Conasauga Falls is about 1.5 miles Round trip.
Numerous shallow creek fords to drive through on your way provide scenic places to relax and stroll around. Kids can play safely in the creek.
A side trip downstream from the first ford provides an easy view of some very scenic cascades on Conasauga Creek as well as a wide place to park and picnic or play. The first and 3rd fords were our favorites for both scenery, pull off space and good play spots.
Above: Conasauga Creek near the first ford.
Above: Down from the first ford about 300 feet is this pretty spot. Gorgeous forest drive with Spring and Summer wildflowers abundant on the roadsides. Emerges at a residential area where the drive through the country provides a view of the Unicoi Crest in the distance. Beautiful country scenery with barns, quaint country homes and lawns, horses, and old buildings.
Above: Third crossing is a glorious spot to play in the creek or bring your fishing pole! Restroom stops during non Covid times are available in Tellico Plains at the visitor center as well as at the Coker Creek Welcome Center once you come back out on Hwy 68.
Buck Bald Driving Directions
From the Coker Creek Welcome Center along Hwy 68 head SOUTH on Hwy 68 for five miles to a signed turn to the LEFT onto Old Highway 68 for Buck Bald. Stay on the main gravel road that climbs 2.25 miles up to the summit of Buck Bald. You will only encounter one intersection. Stay LEFT and keep winding round the mountain til you come to the top.
Buck Bald Attractions:
360 degree view atop a grassy bald of the entire Unicoi Crest and surrounding mountain ranges. One picnic table available on top to use.
No trash receptacles so take your trash with you when you leave. No restroom facilities.
Quiet, cool mountain top with plenty of space to let kids run around and play or fly a kite, or watch the sunset.
**What Could We Have Done Better? **
Take along Bleach wipes for the picnic table.
Take along a larger trash bag
Bring own lawn chairs or blanket for sitting on the ground should the table already be in use by others.
above: Buck Bald has a 360 degree view!
Below: Getting ready to fire up the grill to cook burgers
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Dana 🐝