Weekly Trials and Tribulations of the Scenic City Chapter of the TTA

Weekly Trials. Tribulations and Photos experienced while hiking

TN Wall Trail 11.23.2021

 This was a new trail for me.  The trail head was somewhat hard to find unless you had been there before.  This trail was rated as moderate.  After the first 300' I was gasping for air.  I would rate it as moderate ++ for our group even though we only went 2.5 miles.  It was a steady up hill for the eight of us to the trail split at the base of the wall.  There we took a break and had a drink.  From this point we enjoyed the view as first we went West on a pretty rocky trail untill the trail began to disappear.  At this point we then turned around and went back to the split and ventured East on the trail.  Along this trail we found lots of rock climbers as you can see from the pictures.  We watched them dangle above our heads and then decided it was time to head back.  Going back was MUCH easier and I couldn't believe how quickly we reach our vehicles.  The total time of the hike was 3hrs and 14 minutes.  This was because we spent so much time watching the climbers.  We then went to River Drifters Cafe and celebrated our first lunch of the year.  We had a very enjoyable lunch.  

If you would like to see a bunch of pictures taken during this hike, click here.  

Skyuka Springs on Lower Truck Loop 11.20.2021

 How could this trail be uphill both ways?  So it seemed, starting with an uphill hike from Skyuka trailhead.  The morning was cold, we were fresh and the uphill was welcome to warm ourselves.  Signs directing our path dimineshed in information and character as our hike progressed.  Somewhere we took a wrong turn and headed downhill off the Skyuka.  Nice detour with the trees still clothed in brilliant colors.  But the trail we wanted was above us, so we bushwacked uphill til arriving on the correct path.  Now were bushed!  Skyuka springs, our lunch destination was just over the nexst ridge, or maybe the next one, or the next... We made it to our lunch reservation just before noon and selected outdoor seating on logs bathed in sunshine, overlooking Lookout Creek.  Refuel and rest was sneeded.  Returning on the lower Truck Trail was a pleasant walk along the creek and through the forest.  Until we hiked the connector trail back to the Skyuka.  The connector trail went straight up Lookout Mountain forever and where did all these ups and downs come from on the Skyuka?!  Tired but happy hikers trod 10.2miles with an elevation gain of 1460 feet.  Good job hikers!

If you want to see some really nice pictures taken during this hike, Click Here.