Fifteen hikers met near the Whitewater Center on the Ocoee River.  The water tumbled over the rocks and the wind whipped the cold through our coats, hats and gloves.  It was SO cold, as we slung on our backpacks and grabbed our hiking poles.  We walked quickly to the Bear Paw trail.  Once in the forest and sunshine and hiking uphill, we warmed up.  There were only a few downed trees; otherwise the trail was easy.  We hiked the connector path to Chestnut Mountain trail and walked clockwise to Riverview trail.  After hiking awhile, not seeing the river, it was time for a lunch break. Retracing our steps to Bear Paw Loop, we finished the trail by walking across the bridge commemorating the 1966  Olympics held here.  The hike was 5.9  miles with an elevation gain of 1027ft.

If you would like to see some very nice photos taken during this hike, click here.