New Road Crosses Buggytop Trail
Don't be alarmed the next time you hike the Buggytop Trail, the Park is already aware.
The trail that leads to Buggytop Cave starts from the parking area on private property. The Park has an easement from the property owner. When you hike in on the trail you will see the kiosk where the trail passes on to State owned land.
The State of Tennessee has attempted to purchase this private property between the State property and Highway 56 from the owner on two occasions and in each case the appraisal, which is the maximum price the State can pay, was not satisfactory to the land owner.
Road cut through the woods.
Where the road crosses the trail.
Entrance from Highway 56
Keep out sign and cable crosses the new road.
The trail that leads to Buggytop Cave starts from the parking area on private property. The Park has an easement from the property owner. When you hike in on the trail you will see the kiosk where the trail passes on to State owned land.
The State of Tennessee has attempted to purchase this private property between the State property and Highway 56 from the owner on two occasions and in each case the appraisal, which is the maximum price the State can pay, was not satisfactory to the land owner.
Road cut through the woods.
Where the road crosses the trail.
Entrance from Highway 56
Keep out sign and cable crosses the new road.It appears that the purpose of the road is to allow the land owner and prospective purchasers to view the property on four-wheelers. The property is still for sale. Unfortunately, no erosion control measures have been used to prevent the disturbed soil from washing and eroding. There is also a concern that this new road could be used for recreational four-wheeling by trespassers.
The State of Tennessee is still interested in purchasing this property and perhaps with the help of lovers of Buggytop and the Friends we can make this happen.
Ron Castle
Labels: Buggytop Trail
posted by Ron Castle @ 12:37 PM
7 Comments:
At April 20, 2008 5:17 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Today makes the second time that I was on the mountain trying to find the trailhead for the Buggytop trail and I need help. I stopped at the Ranger station on 156 and also the parking area about 5 miles towards South Pittsburg. If someone can tell me where the trailhead is, I'll be happy, and if you can send GPS coordinates, I'll be elated.
At April 21, 2008 7:42 AM ,
Ron Castle said...
From the parking area on the east side of Highway 56 the trailhead ascends from the side of the parking lot away from the road. Last time I was there the path was obvious. GPS coordinates, will see what we can do. Cheers, Ron Castle
At April 23, 2008 11:09 PM ,
Anonymous said...
If I am coming north from South Pittsburg, is the pull off for the trail before or after the ranger station and about what is the distance from it. Also, I've seen signs for all other trailheads but haven't seen that one; does it have a sign?
At April 24, 2008 9:10 AM ,
Ron Castle said...
The turn off to the parking area is on the right hand side (east side) of Highway 56 north of the little town of Sherwood and before you begin the major ascent up the mountain. Looking on Google Earth, I believe the coordinates are 35-08-13-13N and 85-55-12-83W. There is not a park ranger station in this area. The area has good signs.
At May 9, 2008 9:48 AM ,
nick said...
Out of curiosity, how much acreage is involved and what is the owner's asking price?
Does the Friends group have contacts at any of the major grant-providing organizations? Perhaps one of them, such as The Trust For Public Lands or The Nature Conservancy, could be convinced to meet the landowner's price then resell the property to the state for what the state is allowed to pay.
At May 9, 2008 11:13 AM ,
Ron Castle said...
Hi, Nick, thanks for your comment. I personally do not know the current asking price but other members of the Friends board do. The Friends of South Cumberland have been since 1993 actively engaged with every major land convervation group we know of including TNC, The Trust for Public Lands, The Conservation Fund, the Land Trust for Tennessee, Tennessee Parks and Greenways Foundation and more. We have limited funds and have been making land acquisitions based on priorities established in the Park's original master plan which were never completed by the State due to lack of funding. We recently acquired a small parcel at Grundy Lakes and 78 acres near the Collins East campsite in the Savage Gulf area. I encourage you to attend the Friends annual meeting coming up June 14 to learn more about what we are doing and how we do it. More participants, more funding, more ideas and more interest always welcome.
At May 12, 2008 11:14 AM ,
Ron Castle said...
South Cumberland Park Manager John Christof advises that the asking price for the property is $326,000.
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