Oak Ridge Greenways -Eastern Section
Sign at Elza Gate Park located on the Oak Ridge Turnpike on the east end of town. This is the beginning of the Worthington Greenway Trail.
The fall flowers in the fields are nice along the Gallaher Bend trail.
A pretty cove along the Worthington trail. This area had some interesting wildflowers.
Rowers on Melton Hill Lake
Delaware Trail
Celandine Poppies blooming on the Northridge Trail. I was amazed when I saw this part of the trail on 04-04-04, the upper part of the ridge was still brown and had very few wildflowers. As I walked down the trail into the valley along the stream, there was an "explosion" of wildflowers, Oak Ridge's version of Shangri La! I was shocked and angered to see a man digging plastic shopping bags full of plants from this area. He didn't seem to care that it is against the law to dig from the Greenbelt forests.
The Marina at Melton Lake is a great place to look for birds too. Watch for mallard ducks, coots, herons, ospreys, Canada geese, and sea gulls (in the winter).
I was sad to find this unsightly, illegal trash dump (just outside the Oak Ridge city limit) on the side of the road along the Northridge trail. It is unfortunate that some people have no respect for our beautiful countryside!
I couldn't resist photographing this little boy throwing popcorn to the ducks and one lone white goose along the Melton Lake Greenway!
The Gallehar Bend trail has a winter starting place and a summer starting place. The winter gate (shown here), by the boat ramp, is 1/2-mile from the trailhead. The summer gate is near the swimming area.
The Worthington trail is a good place to look for birds and other wildlife.
This Slender Gerardia was blooming in the cedar barrens area of the Worthington Trail in early September.
Bluets (a.k.a. Quaker Ladies) I found blooming on the Delaware Trail on March 22.
Oak Ridge has some interesting karst geology, such as this large sinkhole. This is found along the Delaware Trail.
This part of the Northridge trail was carpeted with trout lilies, toothwort, spring beauties, violets, and many other flowers in mid-March.
The Marina at Melton Lake stays busy in the spring and summer with rowers. This long, straight section of the Clinch river is used by rowers from all over the country for races. The trail runs under the judges' tower.
There are lots of pretty moss-covered rocks along the Northridge trail.
The Trailhead of the Worthington Greenway Trail begins in Elza Gate Park.
The Gallaher Bend trail follows a gravel road through an old farm out onto a beautiful peninsula overlooking Melton Hill Lake. Much of this trail passes through federal property, so please stay on the marked trail.
View of Melton Hill Lake and the Bull Run Steamplant from the Melton Lake Greenway.
The Delaware Trail trailhead is next to a city utility building at the Delaware Ave. - East Drive split. This trail has lots of wildflowers in the early spring, including Rue Anemone, Bluets, and Trillium. A little spring-fed stream runs along part of the trail.
is a loop trail.
Northridge trail creek
The views of Melton Lake and the Cumberland Mountains along the trail are spectacular on a clear day!
A beautiful view of the Cumberland Mountains under a powerline cut along the Northridge trail. This would be a good area to look for meadow wildflowers in the summer and fall.
The Worthington trail crosses a railroad track.
The trail passes an old cemetery. Many of the graves date back to the 1800's, long before Oak Ridge was in existence.
Melton Lake Trailhead Sign.
This is where the Delaware Loop Trail splits off the Northridge Trail. Note the red trail blazes on the dead tree.
trail runs for nearly 8 miles along the northern ridge. See link to Oak Ridge Greenways for map and entrance points. Being a north-facing trail, there is an abundance of wildflowers. Be aware of poison ivy, which is also abundant. Parts of this trail are quite steep.
is paved and follows the river. It is a good place to look for wildflowers in the summer and fall. There are some aquatic flowers to enjoy along the way.
As this sign implies, the North Ridge trail is only to be used for hiking and nature observation.
Sometimes Melton Lake Greenway walkers get an extra treat of watching a collegiate regatta at one of the best rowing sites in the US.