Quinn Springs Campground in the Cherokeee NF

This campground is located just off Hwy 411, north of Cleveland TN, and is just down the road from the Hiwassee State Scenic River State Park. If Spice, the kitten in the picture, is around you'll have a loyal, if somewhat tentative, campsite companion. The Mysterious One made quick friends with Spice, feeding it beans and oats. The other picture is a beetle rolling a "ball", of what may have been a nut or some other food source.

From the campground you have access to several trails including the Oswald Bald trail which is what the "Mysterious One and I chose. This route of 3.8 mls, one-way, gains 2000' in elevation and should be considered difficult by most folks. As we climbed towards the upper reaches of the trail the forest cleared some and felt less cluttered with some open spaces. The bottom portion consisted of smaller trees and undergrowth, though it should be noted that this is a national forest and not a park, so trail traffic is less and maintenance is not as frequent giving it a more rustic feel. The Hiwassee Hiking Club does a fine job in maintaining this trail given the steep nature of the route. Atop the trail the mountain is crowded with radio antennas and other relays and transmitter. There is camping allowed at this point however we did easily spot any previously developed or used sites.