Mobray Pike 1.4.2025

 We started our hike by staging a car on Hot Water Road and proceeded to Mobray Pike Trailhead.  We started our hike with the temperature in the upper 20's and with semi-clear skies. Perfect weather  to keep hikers moving at a brisk pace in order to stay warm. We made our way on the trail which runs  just below the Cumberland plateau. The skies cleared and the breeze that was blowing as we started  the hike, went away. We arrived at our first view point where we could see the twin towers at  Sequoyah Power Station. We continued on the trail enroute to Posey Point. Along the way we were  presented with great views of rocky bluffs, deep creek gorges and water falls. The creek and falls had a good amount of water flowing in then. We crossed Hot Water Road and continued climbing up to  Posey Point. We then back-tracked on the trail to Hot Water Road where 3 weary hikers ended the  hike. It was a moderately strenuous 8 mile hike with between 800' and 1000' elevation gain.

If you would like to see some photos taken during this hike, click here or on the picture above.  

Sometimes I want to drop my kids off in 1985 just to see how long they would make it.  

Summit Knobs Trail 12.31.2024

 This Tuesday morning, 9 hikers met at the Summit Knobs Equestrian Trail in Chattanooga. It was a great morning for a hike! As we arrived, the temperature was almost 60 with mostly sunny skies, and light variable winds.  The winds did pick up during the last half of the hike to around 20 to 30 mph as the forecast predicted, but the breeze felt great to most. The group trekked about 2.5 miles to Harrison Brank creek without incident and then enjoyed a short break before returning to the main trailhead.  Of course, the trail was muddy in spots and other areas to avoid (on typical equestrian trails).   There was also one downed tree that had to be maneuvered around (see linked photos).  All in all, everyone seemed to enjoy getting out on this very pleasant morning and exploring this trail. It was nice getting a jump on our New Year’s resolution to do more hiking in 2025!!!

 The total hike was about 5 miles with 500+’ elevation gain. Hikers included TTA Scenic City members: Tim Booth (hike leader), Dave Graham, Julie Roberts, Marti & Roy Owensby, Suzanne Thigpen, Larry Lunsford & Tom McElhone.  One visitor: Darla Lobb

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the picture above.  

Unless you sell Thin Mints, "NO SOLICITING"

Enterprise South 12.28.2024

 A misty, foggy day greeted us at Enterprise South.  After building some energy via KK donuts, nine of us winded our way through the various trails of Enterprise South.  Our two temporary hike leaders ( Connie and Jeannie) did a wonderful job keeping us on trac, but the true hike liadeer did a terrible job that added an additional mile to our trek (help burn off that donut).

However, (1) no one got hurt; (2) no one got totally lost; and (3) we returned with all those who we started with.  All in all a successful outing. 

If you would like to see another picture taken during this hike, click here or on the picture above.  

Bees are not dangerous, except for their little beehinds!

Soddy Creek Gorge, 12.21.2024

 

Bundled up against the 20-degree wind chill, 5 hikers ventured on the north Soddy Gorge section of the CT. Peaceful, with sounds of crackling leaves underfoot, the lonely whooo of trains traversing the valley below, sandhill cranes trilling. Up and down the gorges of Little Soddy creek, Deep creek, and Big Soddy we tramped over lots of rocks, boulders and some really big rocks. 

Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who maintain the trails. They had recently cut many fallen trees from the trail. But there is still that 1 old tree remaining across the path to challenge hikers. 

In the distance, looking up the bluff through the trees, we saw a big dark shadow. Could it be Sasquatch (following our own Yeti-aka hiker Tom)? It was a bit of a blur, but I’m quite sure we sighted Big Foot!

A nearly 8 miles trek with an elevation gain of 1078 feet.

I did not get any pictures from this hike.  

In 1920 we took children out of the coal mines.

In 2020 the most popular video game on the market is minecraft.

The children yearn for the mines. 

Tim's Ford 12.17.2024

On Saturday, thirteen TTA members hiked Lost Creek Trail, Marble Plains Loop and Old Spann House Trail at Tim’s Ford State Park in Winchester.  The hikers were from Scenic City, Murfreesboro and Highland Rim Chapters.  They are Tom McElhone, Jean Smith, Tim Booth, Marie Holland, Bob Anderson, John Prescott, Joan Hartvigsen, Albert Suppinger, Patty Deen, Amanda Carkhuff, Martina Terazas, J.C. Saunders and Cody Bain.  We also visited two campsites: The Lost Creek Campsite and the Spann House campsites.  Both campsites had beautiful views of Tim’s Ford Lake.  

If you would like to see some excellent photos taken during this hike, click here or on the photo to the right.  

In 1920 we took children out of the coal mines.

In 2020 the most popular video game on the market was Minecraft.

The children yearn for the mines.