Tuesday, January 10, 2017

Cemeteries off Highway 321

Originally Posted on GoSmokies February 21, 2013

Subtitle for this blog: Road Closure Bummers

I have read a lot this year about road closures and folks wondering where they can hike. If you have been following my blogs then you have read about several possibilities off Highway 129 in Blount County. However, for folks in Sevier and Cocke County you have endless possibilities right off Highway 321. You can check out my blog index for more detailed descriptions of some hikes with home sites and other cool stuff. Moreover, we all know that Mike Maples in an expert on this area of the park and has numerous blogs as well. In this blog I am just going to give you some maps showing cemeteries between Greenbrier and Cosby. Let’s start with Greenbrier.


Way too many to describe each hike and you could spend more than a day just finding these. Chances are if you see a trail off the road it is going to a cemetery somewhere. You have two up Injun Creek – one off a side trail and the other is off trail. Just up from that one is a short trail that leads to a nice Chimney and a climb up the hill to Fredrick E. Huskey Cemetery. The Friendship Cemetery is just off the Grapeyard Ridge trail. Farther up this same trail is the Dodgen Rayfield Cemetery but it is off trail and a little more difficult to find the first time.
Just past the Greenbrier entrance look for a dirt road going back to a gate. Park at the gate and it is a half mile walk up the road to the Price Cemetery. In addition, you can park at the first parking lot in Greenbrier, walk back across the bridge and there is a trail that follows that side of the river. Look for a side trail that takes you to the Alonzo Huskey Cemetery. Farther up the trail is the Parton Cemetery, which can also be reached via the Old Settlers trail. Nevertheless, if Greenbrier Road is closed, now you know another way to get there.


Continuing toward Cosby be careful because it is easy to drive right past the pull off for Copeland Creek on the right. You will know you’re in the right place if the gate is just below the parking spot and leading downhill to your right. There are several hiking options as Copeland creek splits into different directions. Stay on the main road going straight and in a mile you will see the Rector Cemetery on your left.
The Lindsey Cemetery is another mile hike up a dirt road. If you drive past Tunis road on the left than you just missed it. A dirt road drops steeply to the right across from Tunis and a park gate is at the bottom. You can continue past the Lindsey Cemetery and across the creek is the OST where you can find the side trail up to the Doc Green Cemetery.
Continuing down the road make a right on Soak Ash Road and park near the end of the road. Look for a bridge over the creek that will take you up to the Marion Green Cemetery.
Up the road look for a sign to Steiner Bell Lodge which I believe is Waldroup Rd. A trail from the lodge parking lot drops down and leads up to the OST. Look for a trail to the left that takes you up to the Frazier Cemetery.


You might want to check back on my blogs (Mike Maples too) if you want to hike to the Ramsey Grave or Williams Cemetery. Not as easy to find as the ones I have been describing so far. The Maddron Cemetery is right off the OST and quickest access is from the Maddron Bald Trail. The McMahan Cemetery is just up a dirt road off Rooster Town Road.
These are very brief descriptions and there is much more to find in these areas. If you just want a quick walk back to a cemetery than there is plenty right here in this blog. If you are looking for a longer hike and lots of home places than check out my blog index and Mike Maples blog index. Most importantly don’t get bummed out by road closures. If you have found this site than you have no excuse for bumming out as there is plenty of opportunity out there. Happy Hiking!