The 5th and final stop of the 2023 East Tennessee Trails & Ales spot is Lakeway Drop, a trip through Morristown, Tennessee. This stop takes hikers to parts of Panther Creek State Park followed by some pints at 1907 Brewing Company.
Panther Creek is perhaps the State Park in Tennessee I visit the most due to the distance from my home in Knoxville, the fact it’s a great spot to kayak or paddleboard, and there are two nearby Pal’s.
Morristown
Situated between Knoxville and the Tri-Cities, lies the Lakeway area and Morristown, Tennessee. Incorporated in 1855, Morristown is home to Tennessee historical sites like The Davy Crockett Tavern Museum.
One unique aspect of Morristown lies in their downtown area where they have overhead sidewalks they call the SkyMart. It’s a concept that was developed in the 60’s and adds an interesting look to their town square.
Lakeway Drop 1st Stop – Panther Creek State Park
Panther Creek has several activities visitors can enjoy at the park. Hiking, horseback riding, camping, paddling, and disc golf are just a few examples of the many things you can do while at Panther Creek State Park.
When it comes to hiking, Panther Creek has 17 different hiking trails within the park. With every visit, I always find a different trail, or hike a variation of a trail I have previously completed. For the Lakeway Drop tour, I suggest the Point Lookout Loop Trail. This trail is a little under 3 miles, has a nice view of the Cherokee Lake section of the Holston River (first picture of this post), and allows hikers to hike down to the water.
If you’re looking for more than 3 miles, you can connect Point Lookout Trail to Hunt Knob Tail via the Horse Connector Trail. This route will nearly double your distance and you’ll need to watch out for horse “gifts” on the trail. You definitely don’t want to drag that kinda gift into the brewery.
Hit the Trails with Salomon Xa Pro 3D
An all-weather, waterproof trail shoe equipped with Gore-Tex and offers an incredible fit.
I’ve wore these on the AT, Cumberland Trail, and spots in Iceland.
I highly recommend these waterproof bad boys!
Lakeway Drop 2nd Stop – 1907 Brewing Company
The exterior of 1907 Brewing Company blends a modern feel to a classic building. That vibe rings true inside the brewery where exposed brick walls, industrial light fixtures, and a golden ceiling provide a welcoming, yet classy feel. Every time I visit 1907, there is always several different groups of customers, but the open format doesn’t make the place feel crowded.
The taproom has a total of 24 beers on tap! During my last visit, they had 5 of their beers on tap, some locally brewed beer from Knoxville, and some fun craft beers from a variety of breweries across the U.S. I always enjoy starting with a flight and talking to the staff about recommendations. 1907 Brewing has a friendly, knowledgeable staff that are willing to pair customers with the right beer.
When it comes to food, 1907 is BYOF – Bring You Own Food. The good news is that there are plenty of places to choose from, including a Pal’s that is about a mile from the Brewery.
Lakeway Drop – Come Prepared and Have Fun
Be ready to have fun when exploring the last stop of the 2023 East Tennessee Trails & Ales Tour, but also be prepared. Make sure you’re wearing something good enough to hike in and nice enough to wear to the brewery. If you bring your appetite, be sure to bring some food. If you’re feeling risky, you can always talk to Zoltar.
Happy Hiking!