Eagle Point Overnight Trail - Mousetail Landing State Park, page 2
Entrance Sign
Trail Notes
The trailhead was near a playground. The Park has water and restrooms, but not at the trailhead.
Registration is required for overnight users only.
Registration is at the Park Office. A kiosk in front of the Office offers self-registration.
Dogs are allowed on the trail but must be on a leash (and under control).
If overnighting, having a dog at a shelter may be problem, other hikers or other hikers with dogs may be at the shelter.
Park Office from the Trailhead
The Park is located on the Western Highland Rim. The hills were not overly difficult, but we were not carrying heavy packs.
While crossing the fields (at the bottom of hollows), the grass was soggy - it was springtime.
It seemed as if the had leaves had been blown off sections of the trail. The bare trail were very easy to follow.
On the section of the trail between the shelters, the leaves had not been removed.
The trail was marked with trail signs and blazes. Blue blazes marked the Overnight Trail.
Green and yellow blazes marked the mountain bike trails. The green blazed trail crossed the hiking trail many times.
Inside a Shelter
Both shelters have bunk beds for 8 with a dirt floor. The shelters are screened and have indoor wood stoves. The flue pipe on Shelter 1 was damaged.
Outside each shelter was a fire ring, picnic table, and trash can. The trash cans were empty - we assumed the cans were being checked regularly.
Shelter 2 had a nice view of the Tennessee River.
The noise from the boats on the river might be annoying.
Neither shelter had a nearby water source. I guess you could get water from the river, but I would probably treat (add iodine) the water, filter it, and maybe boil it!
The shelters are good rest stops whether you are overnighting or not.
There was no litter on the trail, but some trash around the shelters.
It is common for hikers to walk to one of the shelters and then return to the trailhead.
Shelter 2 is the most used, because of the view. Shelter 1 would then be the least used.
The trail would make a great trail run. Runners should as always yield to hikers and always be courteous.
The Scenic View Trail, starts to the left of the Park Office is a great short trail to add 2.55 miles to your day.
Always practice minimum impact hiking and camping.
Overnight Trail Mileage
0.00 Trailhead
0.40 Bridge crossing Kelly Creek
1.10 Reaching the crest of Sparks Ridge
1.95 Junction with Loop
2.05 Parrish Cemetery Side Trail
2.65 Shelter 2
3.40 Small Bridge in hollow
5.35 Shelter 1
6.45 Return to Loop Jct - end of the Loop.
7.30 Sparks Ridge
8.00 Bridge crossing Kelly Creek
8.40 Return to Trailhead
Map Link
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Mousetail - Overnight Trails - pdf
GPS
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Overnight Trail in Text Format - overnightTr.txt
Overnight Trail in GPX Format - overnightTr.gpx
Overnight Trail in KML Format - overnightTr.kml