Mushroom Rock 9.10.19

Ho Humm, another hike to Mushroom Rock.  Been there done that, right?  Well, today, even though I had been there numerous times, the hike was great.  We got there before it got too hot and it was a beautiful clear day up on the mountain.  I would rate this 4.5 mile hike as easy even though there is a climb back to the parking lot.  The hike took 2 hrs and 40 minutes with a moving average of 2.2 mph.  The group of 13 hikers went down to the "Rock" and then along the Cumberland trail until we reached  another big rock.  At this point we decided it was beginning to get warm, so we turned around and retreated back the way we came.  Following the hike a small group of us went to McAllister"s for lunch.  All in all a very satisfying hike.  One more thing, we did see Mr. Turtle as you can see from the picture.  He gave us a very good example of how an Eastern Box Turtle can close up his shell just like a box.  If you would like to see some pictures from the hike, maps and an altitude graph, click here.  If you are viewing the pictures from the TTA website, and having trouble, please go directly to the Blog at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  Google Chrome is the preferred browser. 

Prentice Cooper 9.7.19

Four hikers met at the Cumberland trailhead in Prentice Cooper State Forest to walk 6.5 miles to Lawson’s Rock lookout via the Indian Rockhouse. We gradually descended 0.7 miles to reach the stone door rock staircase opening up into the Indian Rockhouse. The path led us along the edge of the rock bluff then dipped down on the side of the ridge with rock formations rising on our left. We crossed Sulphur Branch creek on a wooden bridge though the creek was nearly dry. Ascending again to the edge of the rocky ridge and after climbing over a blowdown, we reached Lawson’s Rock. There was a spectacular view of Suck Creek gorge with the Tennessee River in the distance. After a trail lunch on the Rock, we retraced our path back to the Trailhead on Tower Road.
If you would like to see some nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.  If you are trying to view the pictures through the TTA website and having trouble, please go directly to the BLOG at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  The preferred browser is Google Chrome.