Rainbow Lake Loop 8.28.18

This was another well organized hike by Trish.  I don't know how she does it and where we would be without her.  It is easy to get confused around Rainbow Lake as there are many intersecting trails.  It was definitely a warm humid day for hiking.  Luckily the trail kept us under the forest canopy where it was definitely cooler.  I would rate this hike as easy and we too our time making the loop which is fine by me as it allows me to take more pictures.  There were 13 of us on today's hike which took about 2.5 hours.  No wildlife was seen and not much water was flowing, but the forest was beautiful.  Now the contentious part.  At the end of the hike, I showed just over 2 miles as the distance.  Everyone disagreed and said "Surely it was much longer." Someone looked at the kiosk map and concluded the hike was closer to 2.8-3.0 miles.  After CONSIDERABLE research on the infallible internet, I concluded the distance was actually 2.2 miles according to various websites.  Therefore, I WAS RIGHT!  My little GPS is never wrong except when it is.  So there all you naysayers!  Following the hike we had a delightful lunch at the Southern Star on the mountain.  If you would like to see a whole bunch of photos, click here.   

Mowbray Pike 8.25.18

Five of us covered the 5 miles between the Mowbray Pike and the Sluder Lane trailheads. The trail was in good condition and there was an abundance of rocky formations and bluffs to look at. There was also a large rock bluff at an electric power line right of way that afforded a good view of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant cooling towers steaming away.

We finished the hike a little before noon and returned to the Soddy Daisy carpool area.

I'd rate the hike as moderately physical and the scenery along the trail as very good.

I you would like to see some pictures from this hike, click here.