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 Reporter |
Summary: This is a very nice trail located 5 minutes from ETSU. It is easy to follow, but there are several spurs off the main trail. It is worth taking a look at them if you want to make a longer hike. Everything is well marked, so getting lost isn't a problem. In mid-spring, take the time to follow ladyslipper loop. You will see numerous ladyslippers in bloom. Please be careful if you venture off the trail as the ladyslippers like to grow right on the edge of the path. Huckleberries are very plentiful here in the summer, but the local wildlife depends on them as a major food source, so it isn't a great place to go to pick large quantities. The view from Tip Top is nice, but is more wooded than White Rock. You can make the trail a loop if you follow the high ridge trail to White Rock, then take the White rock trail to the parking area. Trailhead: From I-81, take Exit 57-A to Johnson City, which puts you on I-26 (formerly I-181). Take Exit 36 to State of Franklin Rd. Turn right at the bottom of the ramp. Stay on State of Franklin for about 5 miles. Just past ETSU, turn right on University Parkway. Follow this road to the redlight where it intersects with Cherokee Rd. Turn right on Cherokee Rd, then take the next left onto Buffalo Rd. Follow Buffalo Rd. for about a mile. Buffalo Rd will take a sharp left and High Ridge Rd will be to the right. Take High Ridge Rd. It is about another 1-2 miles to the trailhead, but a gate marks the entrance to Buffalo Mountain Park about half way up. This gate is frequently closed in the winter. Once you reach the picnic area, follow the one-way loop around about 3/4 of its length. On the right, there is a small parking area adjacent to the trailhead. (Lat:36.27726 Lon:-82.34887) Trail Guides for Buffalo Mountain-Tip Top Trail: Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Summer, User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Ranger Contact: Johnson City Parks & Rec (423) 283-5815 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Ashley Blevins, who has posted 2 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 2 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by Val on 5/17/2006 This is an awesome hike! Took my 2 teenagers and a couple of their friends yesterday- made it as far as the service road on the way to white rock, ran out of time and had to turn back. Today we arrived early and hiked to white rock. Breath taking views and beautiful trail scenery on the way up. The trails are well maintained and clearly marked. The down side which kept me on edge and a bit suspicious was the continuous cruising around the picnic area by lone males who stare quite a bit. It kind of creeped me out. The only hiker we saw on the trails was while we were resting at white rock- a guy walked past with no gear and dressed to well to seriously be interested in hiking. I smiled and he quickly looked away. I WOULD NOT hike this alone!
Reviewed by PAC on 9/11/2005 I run on the Tip Top trail quite often. It is a good place for trail running if you like variations in slope. You really have to be concientious of rocks and logs and things of that nature. I've fallen a few times on the trail, when I simply wasn't paying enough attention or going to fast. .
Reviewed by Andrew on 2/5/2005 Very nice and beautiful hike, and would hike again. However, I did get a cat call from some guy (which was unpleasant). Anyway I would suggest this hike to anyone that would like to get away from ETSU for a little while and doesn't want to go very far.
Reviewed by Michael on 11/29/2004 This is a surprsingly good hike that is just outside the Johnson City City Limits. The Tip Top hike can be incorporated into a very nice loop hike that circumnavigates Buffalo Mountain Park. As Ashley indicates, there are problems with unsavory charactors that hang out at the picnic area at the trailhead for this hike. As to whether these characters are actually dangerous, it is hard to say. These characters are homosexuals, but I don't know of anyone who has been hurt or threatened them; it is just a shame that the picnic area has turned into a public hangout for them; other than hikers who park at the picnic area trailhead, these homosexuals are the only people I have ever seen at the picnic area. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Tennessee Hiking, Tennessee Trails, Tennessee Hikes, Washington County Hiking, Washington County Trails, Washington County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||