Tennessee · Hiking

Starr Mountain Extension

1.3 mi
round trip
209 ft
climb
2,207 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov
best months

Is Starr Mountain Extension open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Cherokee National Forest. It doesn't name Starr Mountain Extension, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Cherokee National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Starr Mountain Extension is a 2.6-mile out-and-back hike in Tennessee's Gee Creek Wilderness, part of the Ocoee Ranger District of Cherokee National Forest. The route rises from about 2,040 feet to a high point of 2,207 feet, with a total elevation gain of 209 feet, and it is rated moderate. The land is managed jointly, and the trail sits within the South Cherokee National Forest & Wildlife Management Area. The climb starts with the steepest stretch at about 0.1 mile, where the grade reaches 13 percent. The rest of the route is gentler, and the round trip takes about an hour. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Athens, which sits well below the trail, show October highs around 73°F and April highs around 71°F, while July and August average highs near 88°F. Several other trails lie within a short distance, including Gee Creek and Starr Mountain, each about 0.7 miles away. Quinn Springs Pavilion, a campground, is about 1.8 miles off, and the Hiwassee River offers fishing about 4.6 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

    Best time to visit Starr Mountain Extension

    Best months: March–June and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      49° / 28°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      53° / 31°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      62° / 37°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      71° / 45°

      11 wet

    5. May

      79° / 55°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      85° / 63°

      12 wet

    7. Jul

      88° / 68°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      88° / 66°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      83° / 60°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      73° / 47°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      61° / 36°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      52° / 31°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Athens, TN, 12.9 mi away at 940 ft. The station sits about 1,300 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Gee CreekPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Lowry Cove TrailPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Slickrock Branch RoadPhoto: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Prince Gap TrailPhoto: Ken Lund from Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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~17 min drive

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Quartz LoopPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

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CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN HORSE TRAILPhoto: Chris M Morris, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

CHESTNUT MOUNTAIN HORSE TRAIL

~1 min drive

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CHESTNUT LOOP BIKE TRAIL

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors