KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Just below Bays Mountain’s historic dam sits one of the park’s hidden gems.

“Dolan Branch is a very unique area. It is in an area that we have some very old trees here at the park along with the waterfall that you see behind me here,” Park Manager Megan Krager told News Channel 11.

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Outdoors Appalachia

But access to Dolan Branch Falls and the 0.7-mile trail that connects the park to the Eastman recreation area hasn’t always been as easy as it is now. The trail’s stone stairs, permitting a deep descent into the valley needed some restoration.

“We called the Trail Gorillas here at the park, and they like to get down and dirty and they like to roll up their sleeves and do a lot of the real hardcore maintenance,” Krager recounted. “These guys and gals came in and helped us take out all the rock that was not that stable and put in brand new rock so that this trail could live on for another 50 years. “

The project on Dolan Branch was no easy feat, said volunteer Wesley Miller.

“A lot of people don’t realize there’s no machinery that comes in here and moves those rocks. We move those rocks by hand with nets, rock bars, pulleys,” Miller said.

The intense effort comes with a big reward. Hikers like Rebecca Harris said the work of volunteers gives them miles and hours of exploration.

“There’s something for everyone here,” Harris said. “There are hiking trails. There’s obviously a waterfall there. Animal exhibits, planetarium, lake, bridges, fire tower. It’s just unreal. There’s something to do every single time you come here and something new every time you come here. “

Volunteers agree—despite the sweat and stress, the serenity of the mountain makes it worth coming back again and again.

“How do you explain that? Coming out here and enjoying being in the trees, whether you’re even working and sweating, but you’re outside and working with your hands,” Miller said. “It’s hard to explain but anyone that comes up here, I think, understands it. “

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