Turkeypen Ridge TrailEasy

Laurel Creek Rd / Townsend, TN

Easy
Turkeypen Ridge Trail

Distance (One Way)

3.6 miles

Elevation Gain

400 feet

Trailhead

Laurel Creek Rd

Location

Townsend, TN

Water Xing

3

Trail Description Written by Caroline Sullivan

Turkeypen Ridge Trail a 3.6 mile trail that connects Schoolhouse Gap Trail to Laurel Creek Road. The trail weaves in and out around the eastern face of Turkeypen Ridge north of Whiteoak Sink. It crosses Pinkroot Branch around the 2 mile marker and has a couple other larger water crossings near the intersection with Crib Gap Trail.

From the intersection at Schoolhouse Gap, Turkeypen Ridge Trail rises about 200 feet at the initial ascent, before leveling out on the ridge. Much of the beginning of the hike is surrounded by dense vegetation. After the first mile or so, the area begins to open up to wider views of the forest, where you can see the trail continuing around the hills of the mountainsides in front of you.

The last couple of unbridged water crossings just before the intersection with Crib Gap Trail are the most significant after periods of rain. Use caution when rock hopping, and avoid waterlogged branches in your crossing.

#easy
#townsend tn

Trail Difficulty Scales Explained

Elevation Grade

2%

Fairly Flat

Paul Petzoldt Scale

4.4

Easy

5

10

15

Shenandoah Scale

54

Moderate

50

100

150

Photo Gallery (10)

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