Blanket Mountain got its name from an 1802 survey by Return Jonathan Meigs who placed a red blanket on a pole so he had a target for his compass. The Park service once had a wooden fire tower and later a steel one on Blanket Mountain which are now gone. There is still evidence of the tower and caretaker’s cabin. Our hike begins in Elkmont by taking the Jakes Creek Trail 3.7 miles to Jakes Gap. There is one minor creek crossing. From the Gap we take the Manway .8 of a mile to the top where we will have lunch. This section of trail was abandoned about 40 years ago but is relatively open.

Hike is 9 miles with just over 2300’ of elevation gain. Rated difficult only due to the off trail section.

To carpool meet at Kroger Alcoa, 244 S. Hall Rd (on the far left side when facing Kroger) ready to leave at 8:00 a.m. (drive 66 miles RT @ 7 cents/mile= $4.60) or the upper parking lot at Elkmont at 9:00.

David Smith dcsmith041@gmail.com and Debra Barton dgbarton@comcast.net