Chickamauga Battlefield 2.8.2022

 This hike started out a little iffy.  Seems that we had just hiked this trail and due to the fact that it had two names we were hiking it again.  However, being a very resourceful club we quickly adapted by using confusion as out tactic.  We figured out another trail that would suffice quite nicely.  So off we went on this 5.3 mile hike within the battlefield.  We did have to hike a distance on asphalt which no one likes to do but it was necessary.  After a couple of wrong turns, we figured out almost exactly where we were.  The weather was perfect for this 2 hour 45 minute easy hike. If you are interested, we burned about 361 calories.  It was cold to start off, but not too cold and the sky was a crystal blue with nary a cloud in sight.  There were 14 hikers on this hike and I think everyone had a very nice time. 

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike including maps and altitude graph, click here.  

Prentice Cooper 2.5.2022

 Saturdays hike in Prentice Cooper State Forest (Poplar Springs section of the Cumberland Trail) was a chilly one.  The temperature at the trailhead was was a chilly 26 degrees and when we returned , it had climbed to a balmy 34 degrees.  We hiked briskly from the main trailhead in Prentice Cooper to Indian Rockhouse, squeezing through the stairway between house-sized rock, then followed the well worn trail below the bluff.  As we walked , the bright sun warmed us until the trail turned to the other side of the mountain then the bitter wind assaulted us, and such was the rest of the hike, alternating from chilly to warm, putting on gloves, hats and zipping up coats to unzipping.

A lot of rocks, a lot of small ups and downs, 14 wet-weather, rock-hopping water crossings-1 way.  So 28 crossings, most easy, a few challenging, no icy rocks, and the bridge at Sulphur Branch missing a few floor boards,.  We bushwacked around the Branch, which revealed multiple waterfalls cascading down the mountain.  

We finally reached the top of the bluff to Lawson's Rock, overlooking the Tennessee River gorge and had lunch.  Hiking back the way we had come in the  morning was filled by afternoon hikers.  It is great that folks are enjoying our beautiful trails.