Missy hits the trail this summer in cooperation with Legacy Parks Foundation for a series of hikes on local trails. The guided hikes are free of charge and appropriate for all ages. Each one is 2 to 5 miles in length. Most hikes step off at 9. Bring a bottle of water (and a light snack for energy!). Thompson Cancer Survival Center will bring sunscreen in case you forget to bring your own. A big "thanks" also to the new "Mornings with Fox 43" show and Knoxville Knox County Parks and Rec.
Here are some notes from Missy on the hikes, including directions. Got questions? Send Missy an e-mail at
missyfitandfun@gmail.com or call Covenant Health at (865) 541-4500.
JUNE
June 8, Concord Trails
- Northshore Drive by par 3 Golf course and Lakeside Restaurant
- Check in 8:45, Hike starts at 9
Directions: Exit off I-140 (Pellissipi Parkway) and head west on Northshore one mile past Westland Drive. The par Three course is on the right. Trail entrance is near the golf shop.
June 15, River Bluff Trails
- Cherokee Trails across from the blue water tower
Directions: From UT/Downtown area head south on Alcoa Highway and take the Cherokee Trails exit (near UT Medical Center). Bear right onto Cherokee Trails Road, one mile past new condominiums
- Note: No restroom facilities
June 22, Seven Islands
- 2809 Kelly Lane
Directions: Take I-40 East to Exit #402, Midway Rd. – turn right on to Midway Rd. toward Three Rivers Golf Course, pass Curtis Rd and Smith School Rd. intersections, follow the green “Seven Islands Wildlife Refuge” signs, turn left on to Maples Rd, turn right at the intersection with Kodak Rd, turn left on to Kelly Lane at the large, white Bethel Church. Kelly Lane takes you to the gate.) Total park acreage (364) - Diverse Wildlife- Scenic Natural Areas- Small Boat Launch- Canoe/Kayak – Natural Trails (6 miles) * You can do 2 mile up to 6 miles. Porto potty next to parking area We may go eat at Tuckahoe market afterwards on Kodak road 2 miles from 7 islands
June 29, Fort Dickerson
- New trails located off Chapman Highway close to Glove factory area
- Go over Gay Street Bridge and turn right, then at Henley go straight across (Wm Blount Ave) then turn left onto Hawthorne Ave then right onto Augusta Way and you’ll see gravel parking lot.
JULY
July 6, House Mountain
Directions: Go out Rutledge Pike from I 40 (8 miles or so out Rutledge Pike) passing East Knox Elem. on left and then you’ll see brown sign for House Mountain. Take that left and then another left ¼ mile later and house mountain parking area will be on right. We can do 3 miles or add on more mileage across the top. Beautiful views but some climbing and rocky surface along part of the trail. They have a fairly nice Porto-potty And you can bring lunch and eat at picnic table afterwards.
July 13, Forks of the River past Ijams
Directions: Go to Ijams by using South Knoxville bridge and james white parkway. First exit you will follow signs to Ijams take left at end of ramp then follow signs. At Ijams pull in and we can meet there till 9 then drive little further out together to Forks of River to hike on those trails and see Sun Flower fields. (or some can bike from ijams out to end of will skelton trail then we can hike little on trails back there) River Sport rents out bikes at Ijams. 523-0066
July 20th, I.C. King Park
- 3440 Alcoa Highway
Directions: From UT area take Alcoa Hwy and come past Food City etc and another mile down on left you’ll see a small sign for IC King Park. This is a driveway that goes down hill to parking area. Coming North from Alcoa/Maryville area a little past John Sevier parkway you will see the small sign and ramp on your right that takes you down to parking and fishing area. *You can do 2-3 miles or 4-6 miles (no restrooms - maybe old port a potty)
July 27, Ross Marble Trails
- By Ijams Nature Center
- 8:45 check in hikes start at 9
Directions: Go to Ijams by using South Knoxville bridge and james white parkway. First exit you will follow signs to Ijams take left at end of ramp then follow signs. You can stop by Ijams to use restrooms, but we will meet half mile down past ijams on the right at the quarry parking lot. Again some may want to try to use mountain bikes on these trails and River Sports rents them at this location. Call 523-0066 for information.
- We will hike back to the new Keyhole area and the white sand dune area and back then some can also hike up and around the quarry trail for extra milage.
Ready for more? Plans are in the works for more hikes in August. Check back later for details!