Tim's Ford 12.17.2024

On Saturday, thirteen TTA members hiked Lost Creek Trail, Marble Plains Loop and Old Spann House Trail at Tim’s Ford State Park in Winchester.  The hikers were from Scenic City, Murfreesboro and Highland Rim Chapters.  They are Tom McElhone, Jean Smith, Tim Booth, Marie Holland, Bob Anderson, John Prescott, Joan Hartvigsen, Albert Suppinger, Patty Deen, Amanda Carkhuff, Martina Terazas, J.C. Saunders and Cody Bain.  We also visited two campsites: The Lost Creek Campsite and the Spann House campsites.  Both campsites had beautiful views of Tim’s Ford Lake.  

If you would like to see some excellent photos taken during this hike, click here or on the photo to the right.  

In 1920 we took children out of the coal mines.

In 2020 the most popular video game on the market was Minecraft.

The children yearn for the mines.  

Signal Mountain 12.14.2024

 I do not have a write-up for this hike, but it looks a little cold a gloomy.  

If you would like to see a few pictures from this hike, click here.  

 Our hike started at Snoopers Rock, a wonderful view of the Tennessee River gorge. Despite the cold temperatures in the 20s, the sunshine and lack of wind, it was tolerable, and clothing layers were soon shed. We headed down the Pot Point trail, past the intersection with the Ritchie Hollow trail, to our destination Natural Bridge. This was our lunch spot, while some hikers slid down a crack in the bluff to get a up-close view of the arch.

Back up the Pot Point trail to the intersection, we chose to descend Ritchie Hollow to visit Blowing Wind Falls. The waters had frozen to massive icicles giving the area a cathedral look.

Finally, we shuffled through the leaves to return to our cars parked near Snoopers Rock. We trod 8.2 miles with an elevation gain of 1348 feet.

What is a group of turkeys called? Not TTA hikers! We saw a rafter of turkeys driving out of Prentice Cooper. No, the turkeys were not driving.

If you would like to see a bunch of really good pictures, click here or on the picture above.  

I just know the toddler stole my pen.  It's written all over his face.  

Cascade Falls 11.26.2024

 Nine of us carpooled from East Ridge to Dalton, GA on a chilly November morning to experience a trail that only one of us had been on before, and it wasn’t hike leader Dave Graham 😱  However, Larry Lunsford was our stabilizing force as we enjoyed a pleasant stroll through the woods with glimpses of Dalton State and the steady hum of I-75 below.  Unfortunately, the recent drought did not allow us to experience water in the “cascades”, but the Fall colors were spectacular and made for a worthwhile trip.  In addition to Dave and Larry, we were also joined by; Julie Roberts, Betsy Darken, Tim Booth, Will Latham, Lee Prichard, Susan Kroll, and Tom McElhone

If you would like to see another picture taken during this hike, click here.  

Well, to be Frank, I'd have to change my name.  

Covenant College 12.3.2024

Eight hearty Scenic City hikers braved the first sub freezing temperatures of the season to explore the Covenant College trails atop Lookout Mountain.  We were charmed by beautiful little ice sculptures which had formed around the base of a number of plants.  

These ice sculptures are usually called Frost Flowers or Ice Flowers.  They form when water flows down a plant stem into the not yet frozen ground.  The water freezes and pushes up through the unfrozen ground.

Earl

If you would like to see one more picture, click here.  

My girlfriend told me I had to quit impersonating Flamingos, so I had to put my foot down.  

Daddy's Creek 11.30.2024

 I don't have a trip report for this hike but it looked clear and cold.  

If you would like to see a few really nice photos taken during this hike, click here or on the photo above.

Shredded Cheese ------The key to Grate-ness

Ozone Falls 11.23.2024

 Small group; big adventure! Four hikers tackled the Ozone Falls to Black Mountain segment of the Cumberland Trail. This is a beautiful trek but a tough one!

We started atop Ozone Falls to see the falls up close & to view the gorge from above. Next, we carefully worked our way down to the bottom of the falls. Surprisingly, even in drought conditions, the waterfall had a respectable amount of water flowing. Of course, this waterfall is absolutely stunning at full flow! After spending some time at the falls, we began our long journey up to the top of Black Mountain. The 7.5-mile trek provides a little bit of everything: rocky areas where you need to closely watch your footing, easy wooded sections where you can just enjoy the fall leaves crunching under your feet, dozens of zigzagging switchbacks, & sections so steep that you wish you had switchbacks. The trail is like riding a roller coaster. We went up & down so many hills & mountains that we lost count. When we finally arrived at the top of Black Mountain, we had gained almost 2,000 feet of elevation!

Our reward was the wonderland of sites at the top of Black Mountain. Not to be missed is the incredible overlook that overlooks Grassy Cove & a good bit of the Cumberland Plateau. On a clear day, Mt. LeConte can be seen in the distance 72 miles away! Boulders & bluffs also line parts of the mountaintop. Our group had fun taking a group selfie & individual pictures in the ‘Stone Door’ area where a narrow staircase has been built in between two gigantic boulders. We got in an additional 1.5-miles on the Crest Loop Trail making our grand total for the day 9-miles. The day started out cloudy & frigidly cold but the sun came out later & provided some much-needed warmth. It was a beautiful day on the trail with a great group!

Hikers included: Jennifer Davis (hike leader), Tom McElhone, Betsy Darken, and Kim Bowers.  

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

The inventor of autocorrect ded.  The funnel will be hed tomato.

Fort Mountain S.P. 11.20.2024

 Fall was showing off, & it was a feast for our eyes! Everywhere we looked, we saw leaves of red, orange, yellow, and every shade in between. It was like walking through a fall wonderland!!

We weren’t expecting fall to be on full display this late in the season, but that’s exactly what we experienced at Fort Mountain SP! We also threw convention out the window by hiking on a Wednesday instead of a Tuesday. It was a super rainy day on Tuesday, so we figured one day later was sure better than no hike at all!

5 hikers started our day on the Cool Springs & Mill Creek Falls Loop Trail. The trail began on the well-known Gahuti section then turned onto another trail that led us beside Mill Creek as it flows down the mountain. It rained the day before, so water was falling everywhere! We stopped for lunch at the beautiful Mill Creek Falls. After lunch, we finished the hike with a long, challenging climb back up the mountain that taxed even seasoned hikers. When completed, the loop trail was 5.5 miles with right at 1,400 ft. of elevation gain.

Our day didn’t end there. Being an ambitious group of hikers, we decided to hike another mile to see some historical sites & an incredible overlook. The first notable site is an ancient rock wall believed to have been built between 400-500 AD! No one knows for sure who built it. Theories range from the Native Americans, a legendary Welsh explorer, and more mysteriously, the “moon-eyed people” from Cherokee mythology. Next, we made our way to the CCC fire tower constructed in the 1930’s. The group had fun searching for the heart-shaped stone that was built into the structure. Finally, we headed out to the overlook that offers views of the small town of Chatsworth, Georgia & beyond in the center with views of the mountains on both sides. One word… spectacular!

Hikers included: Jennifer Davis (hike leader), Tammy Hendrick, Tom McElhone, Betsy Darken, and Carl Westman. 

If you would like to see some really beautiful pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the photo shown above.  

My relationship with whiskey is on the rocks!

Fenton Forest 11.12.2024

 This Tuesday morning, 9 hikers met on Bauxite Ridge in Ooltewah, TN.  This trail system is maintained & part of the Southern Adventist University on the far east side of the campus. It was a great morning for a hike with mostly sunny skies and cool temperatures (as we arrived) in the mid 50’s.  After making the climb from the parking area to the main trailhead, the group started with a 1.9-mile trek on the Sabbath trail, enjoying various Bible scripture plaques (including the ten commandments) and a nice casual walk through the woods.  An open pasture was also enjoyed with several cows out in the distance.  This lollipop trail took us back to the main trailhead.  After a short rest, the team proceeded over to Forest Lane trail via the Oak Hole Lane trail (green trail). This loop trail was less than a mile but was slightly more challenging (rocky and some inclines) but nothing crazy.  I might mention that this part of the hike is in the woods behind McKee Foods (Little Debbie) plant. Everyone enjoyed the aroma of chocolate as we roamed the path.  This took us back to the green trail.  After another short break, the team proceeded even further down to the Big Forest Trail. This trail has some awesome views of the back side (east side) of Bauxite Ridge.  Nothing challenging other than making sure to follow the path with all the leaves.  There was some trail work being done at the south end of the trail which did make it easier to see the path – powdered dirt.   This took us to a short trek on Lookout Hill Trail and back to the main trailhead.  At this point, everyone looked tired and ready to call it a day.  Some pointed out that this was supposed to be an easy hike (for beginners).  I guess, in my mind, it was! 😊 All in all, everyone seemed to enjoy exploring this new trail. The total hike was about 5.3 miles with 400+’ elevation gain. Hikers included TTA Scenic City members: Tim Booth (hike leader), Bonnie Norton, Connie Lusk, Dave Graham, Will Latham, Susan Kroll, Sarah Sandefur (& puppy – Dewey Lee), Walter Harrison, and Chris Bresson.

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the photo above.  

Alaskan eye doctors are optical Aleutians.  

Snow Falls 11.2.2024

 Saturday’s hike at Snow Falls/Laurel Falls just outside of Dayton was a collaborative effort. Even before we parted from walking along Richland Creek, we (I) walked past the wooden TRAIL sign and arrow – too focused on my feet & not looking up. Another hiker called us back to the right turn away from the creek and up the rocky path. Next, crossed the bridge over Laurel creek and turned left to follow the Snow Falls trail. Winding through the forest, we reached the 150 foot-3 section bridge over Henderson Creek. Doing fine, switch backing up the mountain, until we lost the trail again. Maybe all the fallen leaves were misdirecting us. Shortly, back on the trail again, we climbed up the crack in the bluff. Ah, relief – flat land. We wandered to Dunn overlook then headed to Morgan creek. There was a bridge over the water! No more wondering if the water was too high or too cold to cross. No more water shoes needed! Soon the CTC will be officially opening a new trail, featuring the Morgan Creek bridge and a connection to another trail.

Snow Falls was modest, and we traipsed around, searching for the trail again. I had just gotten so excited seeing the new bridge, I hadn’t paid attention to the path. Once we found the old road to Buzzard Point Overlook, the trail was obvious. We lunched at the overlook, acknowledged the 2 resident buzzards and returned to the trailhead. We hiked 10.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1440 feet.

If you would like to see some really nice pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the group picture above.  

Be decisive....the road of life is paved with flat squirrels.  

Chattanooga National Cemetery 10.29.2024

 Nineteen Scenic City History lovers gathered at the Chattanooga National Cemetery for a history Walk to honor those veterans who served and to learn more of the complex role this area served in the Civil War.  We looked over the Chattanooga from the spot General Grant watched the Battle of Lookout Mountain. We visited grave sites of the first Medal of Honor winners who were involved in Andrews Raiders great locomotive chase as well as other heroic soldiers who died more recently.  

If you would like to see a couple more pictures taken this day, click here.  

John's Mountain 10.22.2024

Beautiful day, beautiful hikers!  Fourteen of us trekked up and around Johns Mountain in North Georgia.  No one turned back at the stone steps climbing u[ the side of the mountain, but there was a lot of huffing and puffing.  The snack at the top and the views made up for the effort.  Unfortunately, the hike on the northeast side of the mountain was quite the ascent too.  Finally, we arrived at the second observation deck and some of the hikers found out that they could have driven to this overlook!  Not a problem for these hardy hikers, as we picked our way through some boulders walking down the mountain.  Next stop, Keown Falls, which dripped into the nice rock house.  Another mile or so and we completed our double loop trail.  We hiked about 5.5 miles with 1000 foot elevation gain.  

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

What disease did cured ham actually have?  

Raccoon Mountain 10.19.2024

How did Raccoon Mountain get its name? Apparently from the many raccoons living on the top of the mountain. We didn’t see any raccoons but were greeted by a deer family and an owl gliding through the forest. The hikers started at Laurel Point. We traveled up and down the River Gorge section to the base of the rocky dam. Next the Megawatt trail wandered through the woods to the Visitor Center The center was closed but we enjoyed the beautiful lookout of the river valley while munching on our lunch. On the return trip we finished the hike by walking the Electric Ave trail, which was easy, flat & pine-needle covered. The moderate trail was 8.75 miles with an elevation gain of 1.168 feet.

If you would like to see some great pictures including a great picture of a Barred Owl, click here.  

 If you see this vehicle driving in an unsafe way, please don't call us, It increases our insurance.

Signal Mountain 10.12.2024

  It appears the fall schedule of hiking has arrived. We had all donned jackets at the  beginning of the hike. I believe it was in the 40's when we departed the trailhead. It felt like fall had truly arrived. Most of this hike I had not been on previously. I did pre-hike  the first half of this hike on Friday because I could not find a trailhead on the Signal  Mountain trails map. Betsy was nice enough to accompany me on the pre-hike. It  turned out the trailhead is unmarked just north of Middle Creek on Edwards Point road.  Just about all of this hike is in Pentice Cooper Park, which explains the fact that it is  poorly blazed. You really need Alltrails on your phone or a GPS to know where you are  on the first mile or so of the trails leading to the Orange/Yellow Trail. One plus which  helps, is the first mile or so of the trail follows Middle Creek. So if you think you have  wandered too far off trail, if you make your way over to the creek, you probably will run into the trail that leads up to the Orange Trail or the Orange/Yellow Trail. From this  point on, the trails are sort of blazed well enough to make your way up to the Blue Loop  Trail. As I said, the first mile or so of the hike, follows Middle Creek and is rocky and  cris-crosses other trails that rock climbers have established as they made their way to  climb the nearby bluffs.

 So about a mile of following Middle Creek, we got on the Orange Trail and headed  north until we got on the Orange/Yellow Trail where we continued hiking north toward  the Blue Loop Trail. We crossed Edwards Point Road and reached the Blue Loop Trail.  We hiked counter clockwise on the Blue Loop Trail and made our way to where we had  staged vehicles at Shackleford Ridge Park. Three of the four hikers decided at this point that 6+ miles of this hike was enough for the day. So we called it a day and Betsy went  on to hike some more.

 I would rate this a moderately difficult hike. It was a great fall hike and would make  a greater hike when done when the forests have reached their peak colors later in the  fall. 

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

An ELECTION is a process of choosing who will spend your money.  

Sewanee, 10.8.2024

 15 hikers ventured out on a crisp autumn morning for a hike through the woods in the always-beautiful Sewanee area. We started at the Memorial Cross & made our way out to Bridal Veil Falls, and we had perfect weather for it. In fact, the chill of fall was in the air with a starting temperature just around 50-degrees. But, it didn’t take long for us to warm up on the trail & quickly start shedding our jackets. Before we reached Bridal Veil

Falls, we experienced another small but beautiful unnamed waterfall. When we reached the main attraction of the hike, we found Bridal Veil Falls a little light on water flow but still so pretty with water dripping down a top cascade into a pit below creating a second cascade. After taking time to eat a snack & talk a bit, we made our way back to the Perimeter Trail from the falls. That’s easier said than done! When you’re walking to the falls, you aren’t paying attention to the fact that most of the spur trail is downhill. But, oh boy, do you notice it on the way out! There are several long uphill stretches to tackle. Some hikers decided to call it a day here & headed back on the Perimeter Trail to the Memorial Cross & their cars. For them, the hike was 4.6 miles with 672 ft. of elevation gain.

Six hikers decided to push on & add another loop to the hike… this time making their way out to the picturesque Lake Cheston. The trail to & from the lake is rated easy and makes for a great walk through the woods. The lake is so pretty & peaceful. After taking a lap around the lake, we made our way back to the Perimeter Trail & back to the Memorial Cross & our cars. The hikers who chose the longer route completed 7.3 miles with 1,000 ft. of elevation gain.

After the hike, several of us went to the Mountain Goat Market for a tasty meal. That place is always busy & for a reason… the food never disappoints!

Hikers included: Jennifer Davis (hike leader), Sandra Wenden, Gerry Honeck, Marti Owensby, Roy Owensby, Tammy Hendrick, Ginny Kidd, Lucy Cahill, Bonnie Norton, Dorothy Hill, Tom McNally, Earl Helmer, Linda Keown, Tom McElhone, & Walter Harrison. 

If you would like to see some photos taken during this hike, click here or on the group picture above.

Cloudland Canyon 10.1.2024

 Ten hikers enjoyed an absolutely beautiful day on the trails in Cloudland Canyon State Park.  When we started the hike, skies were cloudy and conditions were cool..only 65-degrees!  As we hiked the West Rim Loop Trail, the clouds dissipated and glorious sunshine moved in.  This was the first sunshine we’d seen in about a week due to Hurricane Helene.  The loop trail is beautiful with incredible views into the park’s rugged canyons.  In Fact, Backpacker Magazine previously rated this trail as one of the top 10 hikes in the entire country!!  The 4.7 mile lollipop-style trail is moderately challenging with 744 feet of elevation gain and offers a mix of woodland wonder and outstanding overlooks!  Some of the group decided to venture down to Cherokee and Hemlock falls.  The falls were freely flowing due to all the recent rain.  It was a rare treat to see so much water flowing from these falls during this typically dry part of the year.  While it’s relatively easy to make your way down to the falls, making your way back up out of the canyon is a whole different experience.  In less than a mile, the trail ascends almost 500 feet, and in all, we hiked approximately 600stairs!  Thankfully, the falls were so beautiful that it made up for that lung and leg-burning metal staircase!!

Hikers included: Jennifer Davis (hike leader), Tammy Hendrick, Betsy Darken, Tim Booth, Batty Bradley, Sandra Wenden, Gerry Honeck, Bob Anderson, Linda Keown, and Tom McElhone.

After the hike, several of us tried out a new restaurant just up the road from Cloudland Canyon State Park.  Thatcher’s BBQ on the square in Trenton, GA was a great pick.  The food was incredible, the service was great, and the portions were HUGE!

If you would like to see some really nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.  \

I didn't mean to push all of your buttons.  I was just trying to hit MUTE!

Rocky Face Ridge Park 9.28.2024

 I don't have a description for this hike, but it looks overcast and comfortable for those who attended.  

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here.  

That awkward moment when a zombie looking for brains walks right past you.  

Benton Falls & Slick Rock 9.24.2024

 This Tuesday morning, 14 hikers met on Chilhowee Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest in Benton, TN.  It was a good morning for a hike with mostly overcast skies, keeping the temperature around 70 degrees and the enjoyment of occasional breezes, especially as we started the hike.  The group started with a 1.5 mile trek down to the falls.  While the falls were nice to see, the water flow was scarce (see picture).  Making our way back to the main trail, we continued hiking parts of the Clemmer & Laurel Loop Trail, which was mostly easy to moderate.  We then veered off, proceeded further west, on the northern part of the Slick Rock Loop trail. Here we got the cardio going & enjoyed some elevation gains.  The westward end of this trail is more like a logging road that intersects with Oswald Road, which is the main road up to the Chilhowee Rec Area.  We walked along the road to the Gazebo Overlook, enjoying a break and snack, while taking in the awesome views.  The final journey was a .7-mile hike on the Gazebo trail, which took us around the campground, McCamy Lake & back to the parking lot/trailhead. Total hike was about 6.1 miles with 550’ elevation gain. Hikers included TTA Scenic City members: Tim Booth (hike leader), Lee Prichard, Tom McNally, Earl Helmer, Walter Harrison, Dave Graham, Lucy Cahill, Bonnie Norton, Ginny Kidd, Bob Anderson, Tom McElhone, Betsy Darken and Sue Christensen.  One visitor – Lynn Clark (Lee Prichard’s mother).  Afterwards, many on the hike enjoyed a late lunch at either El Maguey or Thai Chili Asian in Ooltewah, TN.

The total distance for this hike was 6.1 miles with a time of 3:38 minutes.  If you would like to see some photos taken during this hike click here.  

 Don't burn bridges, just loosen the bolts a little every day.

 

Frozen State Park 9.21.2024

 Three hikers enjoyed a warm but beautiful Saturday on the trails in Frozen Head State Park. We tackled a tough hike by taking it nice & slow with plenty of breaks. The trek is a 9-mile out-and-back hike with approximately 2,000 feet of elevation gain & rated moderate in difficulty. Sometimes, you wonder who rates these trails?! This one sure feels difficult at times as you climb the mountain!

Our path began at the Panther Branch Trailhead. From there, we made our way to Debord & Emory Gap Falls. With the lack of recent rain, both waterfalls were dry. We will need to repeat this hike again in the winter or early spring when these waterfalls are flowing beautifully. After exploring the falls, we made our way up Panther Branch Trail until it intersected with the North Old Mac Trail. We took that to the W. Lookout Tower Trail. We stopped for lunch at the Tub Springs Campsite.

At lunch, we discussed some history about our hike site… how a notorious prisoner & jail break inspired an ultramarathon in the mountains of Frozen Head State Park. James Earl Ray, the man convicted of killing Civil Rights Activist Martin Luther King, Jr. was imprisoned at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary located at the foot of the mountains inside Frozen Head State Park. In 1985, he & a few other prisoners managed a very daring escape. However, authorities found Ray in the Frozen Head mountains. He had managed to only get 8 miles away in almost 60 hours of escape. This inspired a very eccentric man to start an ultramarathon in the mountains of Frozen Head. Elite runners from all over the world compete each spring to try to complete 5 grueling loops of 20+ miles each… 100 miles total in under 60 hours. They aren’t running on real trails either. They must make their way through brush & overgrowth & are often bruised & bloodied by the time they finish. If you would like to know more about this grueling race, be sure to watch the documentary The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young.

Finally, we made our way up the final steep section to reach the Lookout Tower. There, we were met with gorgeous sweeping views of the valley below. We could also see the huge wind turbines located on Buffalo Mountain in Anderson County at Wind Rock Park. 18 turbines there produce enough power for approximately 3,800 homes in the area. Some of these turbines stand 260 ft. tall with blades that span a whopping 135 ft!

We made our way back down the mountain & had a lovely dinner at a good Italian restaurant in downtown Wartburg. It was a beautiful day for a great hike, great conversation, & a good meal with hiking friends!

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

Never trust a train.  They have Loco Motives.

Raccoon Mountain 9.17.2024

Eighteen Scenic City Hikers, led by Hike leader Dave Graham, trekked to Racoon Mountain on a cool late summer morning to enjoy the nearby scenery atop TBA's largest hydroelectric facility (dam) - the third largest pumped storage facility in the united states.  We began our day with a stop at the east Overlook with fabulous views of downtown Chattanooga, Lookout Mtn., Missionary Ridge and the far distant Blue Ridge Mountains to the East.  We then caravanned to the Laurel Point picnic are to test out Dave's experimental "hybrid" bike, combining a portion of the Laurel Point Trail with the River gorge Trail to form a four mile loop through the forest.  Whew! ...Dave's gamble worked.  We glimpsed several views of the Tennessee River from the River Gorge portion of our hike.  Unfortunately, plan to take in the Raccoon Mountain Visitor center were stymied by a busted water main, but perhaps the next time around.   All in all, a good hike with fellowship for all who participated

I've taken steps to overcome my addiction to hiking, but I'm not out of the woods yet.  

Ritchie Hollow 9.14.2024

Three hikers went up the Ritchie Hollow trail at Prentice Cooper to Snoopers Rock, an 8 mile trek. The 1500 foot elevation traversed many rocks. Blowing Winds falls hadn’t any water. Spiders and their webs were plentiful. The trail was easy to follow, though a bit overgrown in a few areas. The view of the gorge and Tennessee river at Snoopers Rock was beautiful with the darker clouds gathering. After a quick lunch we hustled back down the trail hoping to escape the rain. Didn’t quite make it, but the rain was actually quite refreshing.

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

Do gun manuals have a troubleshooting section?

Grundy Forest Day Loop (Fiery Gizzard) 9.10.2024

Fall weather, a beautiful trail, and great company… all made for a great hiking experience!  19 of us gathered to hike the approximately 4-mile trail that’s packed with outdoor features. We saw multiple waterfalls, remnants of an old CCC camp, huge rock towers called “The Chimneys,” an approximately 500-year-old hemlock tree, & a few swimming holes. One Scenic City member even decided to take a dip in the beautiful blue/green pool at the base of Sycamore Falls!

The temps were only in the 60’s when we started our hike. You could feel fall in the air. But, we all know Tennessee weather… we probably experienced one of our ‘false falls!’ Real fall or not, we will take it! Lol!

We had two new Scenic City members join us for their first hike with the group. A big, warm welcome goes out to Walter Harrison & Michael Easter!

After we finished our hike, we enjoyed a picnic under the pavilion. It was nice to have everyone together for a meal!

Addendum;  If I to describe the trail, I would say ROCKS, ROCKS, ROOTS ROOTS.  Enough said about that.  According to my GPS, the distance of this hike was right at 5 miles.  The time of the hike was about 3 hours and 25 minutes.  Great hike and a great hike leader, although I wish she had arranged for a little more water in the water falls.  I guess you can’t have everything. 

Break-in at the Apple store.  Police are looking for iWitnesses.

If you would like to see a bunch of photos including maps and altitude graph click here.  

Skyuka Springs 9.8.2024

 Saturday’s hike was the Skyuka trail on Lookout Mountain, to the springs and back. What a wonderful day to be outside. The weather was cool with light sprinkles in the morning and blue sky later. 7 hikers began the trail. 3 hikers returned to the trailhead, marked by a small sign in the weeds, in the afternoon. Is that a problem losing over half of the hikers? (The other 4 had previous obligations, therefore shortened their hike.) Few people were on the path. Fortunately, we met Mr. Spider, the striped orb, instead of walking into his web face first. Only 1 downed tree slowed our progress. Lunch was at the springs which was flowing with a small amount of water.

The return walk was uneventful. Easy hiking on the Lower Truck trail, until we took the connector trail up & up & up & then more up, back to the Skyuka trail. Great cardio workout!

The hike was 9.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1260 feet. Good job hikers, you earned a chocolate chunk cookie!

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here.  

I sued the airline for losing my luggage.  I lost my case!

Aetna Mountain 9.3.2024

 Wow, this turned out to be a very popular hike.  Their turned out to be 24 hikers on this 3.6 mile hike.  Since there were so many hikers, we divided into two groups.  Those that wanted to go a little faster went in the first group while those who wished to go slower went in the second group.  The weather cooperated very well until right at the end when it began to get pretty warm.  The hike lasted 2 hours and fifteen minutes.  This trail was very well maintained and there was only one spot where we had to climb through a downed tree.  This trail took us down about 730 ft and of course we had to hike back up the same distance.  Following the hike we some of us had lunch at the Blackstone Grill.  

If you would like to see a few pictures including map and altitude graph, click here. 

Coming soon Star Wars 12.  "Luke Needs A Walker".

Foster Falls 8.27.2024

Sixteen hikers met on a cool pleasant Tuesday morning to either car pool ih or gather at South Cumberland State Park, Foster Falls trailhead.  Although Foster Falls, at the beginning of the hike was bone dry, we traveled the Fiery Gizzard trail five miles out and back (to and from) the Small Wilds campground.  Rocky bluffs and boulders to start quickly turned into a nice walk in the woods with a few really great overlooks into rugged canyons of the Savage Gulf Natural Area.  Aside from a brief break at the halfway point campground, we kept up a steady pace while the weather began to heat up.  A 4-5 foot long whopper of a Tennessee Timber Rattlesnake was not thrilled by our 16 guests trespassing into his domain.  But aside from a threatening “rattle” all was good for a little excitement.  All in all – a great hike today with good fellowship amongst the Scenic City Hikers.  This hike took just about three hours and was rated as easy. 

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike as well as a couple of maps, click here. 

Devils Breakfast Table 8.24.2024

 This Saturday morning, 4 hikers met at the Peavine Road trailhead near Crab Orchard, TN.  Due to a mix-up in the trail location, some hikers, who had planned to join us, found an alternate hike. The morning started out cool, about 65 degrees but warmed up quickly to upper 80’s. This was a very well-maintained trail with lots of casual ups and downs.  It was exciting to see what the next horizon would bring.  Plenty of rocky cliffs to view, a few footbridges to cross, and the sights of Daddy’s Creek below. Little or no water in the creek to enjoy, however.  The group stopped at the midway point and enjoyed lunch by Daddy’s Creek before proceeding back by retracing our steps to the main trailhead. Highly recommend this hike for a casual, moderate hike.  It will push you a little but nothing extreme.  Total distance was almost 8 miles with 1,100’ elevation gain. Submitted by: Tim Booth.  I enjoyed the hike with fellow Scenic City members: Rita Wilpers & Molly Mulloy

If you would like to see some great pictures taken during this hike, click here  

If a tomato is actually a fruit, doesn't that make ketchup a jam?  

Savage Gulf 8.20.2024

 This Tuesday morning, 17 hikers met bright & early at this trail in Savage Gulf State Park (East trailhead).   It was an awesome morning for hiking as the temperature cooled to around 65 degrees upon arrival, with lower humidity, lots of sunshine and slight breeze.  Many said it was a perfect day for hiking and couldn’t have been any better.   This hike was rated “easy” with little elevation gain.  It does have some areas that are rocky and lots of roots but otherwise an enjoyable stroll thru the woods.  The group did get to experience a couple swinging bridges that we crossed four times (going in & out).  A few on the hike and never had this experience, so that was fun.  Some hikers like them better than others.  A couple of views of Savage Falls was enjoyed but water was only a trickle.  Views and snacks were also enjoyed at Rattlesnake Point Overlook.  No sightings of any rattlesnakes on this expedition, though!  Total hike was a little over 5 miles with 480’ elevation gain. Hikers included TTA Scenic City members: Tim Booth (hike leader), Bonnie Norton, Jean Smith, Randy Medley, Dave Graham, Rita Wilpers, Earl Helmer, Betsy Darken, Dorothy Hill, Tom McElhone, Roy & Marti Owensby, Julie Roberts, Tammy Hendrick, Gerry Honeck, Sandra Wenden, & Robin King.

 If you would like to see some photos taken during this hike including maps and altitude graph, click here.  

Ducks have feathers to cover their butt quacks.

Harrison Bay S.P. 8.17.2024

 I do not have a write-up for this hike, but it was a very nice day for being in the woods.  

If you would like to see a few very nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.  

Insect puns really bug me!

Booker T. Washington S. P 8.13.2024

 It was a little warm today, but since this hike was almost all in the woods it wasn't so bad.  Everyone enjoyed this easy gentle hike by the lake.  

If you would like to see some pictures of the hikers, click here.  

My new stairlift is just driving me up the wall!

Signal Point to Edwards Point 8.10.2024

 A short but tough hike from Signal Point Park to Edwards Point – about 6 miles with an elevation gain of 988 feet. The multitude of rocks and boulders kept our pace slow and steady. Many downed trees challenged our way. Even the swinging bridge over Middle Creek was a little sketchy and creaky. Edwards Point overlook was spectacular with the Tennessee River flowing from Chattanooga into the gorge.

After lunch we retraced our steps, with some hikers taking the shortcut on the Rainbow Lake trail and others returned on the Signal Point trail. Great hike!

If you would like to see some great pictures taken during this hike, click here.  

Did you hear about the poor little girl injured in the Peek-a-Boo accident?  She was taken to the ICU!

Durham Mines Trail 8.6.2024

 This hike started out nice and cool, but by the end of the hike, it was down right hot.  There were eleven hikers on this hike.  This is a hike that is just a nice walk in the woods.  No overlooks or waterfalls, just beautiful forest.  The hike lasted just under two hours and was a total of 4.25 miles.  Our average speed was 2.2 mph which meant we were walking quite fast.  Our average pace is generally under 2mph.  

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

Photons don't check baggage at the airport because they are traveling light.  

Covenent College to Craven's House 8.3.2024

  I left my house Saturday morning and headed to Lookout Mountain expecting that when I got to the Covenant College parking lot, that what I would experience would be a humid foggy hike ahead.  Instead, what I found was a fairly humid but not foggy hike waiting to be enjoyed. 10 hikers began our decent from Covenant College down to The Bluff Trail on which we would spend most of our hike as we made our way to Craven's House. The trail from Covenant College to The Bluff Trail, however, does not show up on any trail map. It is difficult to find, so prehiking this hike paid off when finding our way down to the Bluff Trail. As I said, it was fairly humid but the temperature was perhaps in the  70's and we were also hiking on the west side of Lookout Mountain, which meant there was not an  issue of hiking with the sun breaking through the canopy and heating us up. We made our way along the trail to Sunset Rock. 7 hikers made their way up to the top of Sunset Rock and 3 remained on the trail. This is a good call if you decide not to make the trip up to the top of Sunset Rock from the trail below. It is a steep and precarious climb and if you wish to experience the view without the climb, the top of Sunset Rock can be accessed from the road and parking lot above. After a short stay on the top, we descended to the trail and continued on to the Craven's House Trail. On this section of the Bluff Trail we uncounted rock climbers plying their crazy sport – you got to admire their craziness. We decided not to make the side trip up to Point Park in order to be off the trail before the afternoon temperatures climbed to the expected high 80's to low 90's. Those who wanted to visit the park could visit it at their leisure on the way back down the mountain when we finished the hike. By the way, I believe you can visit the park for free with a Senior Golden Pass and take some guests with you. But do check that out to be sure before your visit. We loaded the hikers in the 3 vehicles staged at Craven’s House and returned to Covenant College and ended our hike shortly after noon. It was a 6+ mile easy hike (except for the climb up to the top of Sunset Rock).

If you would like to see another picture, click here.  

Not all math puns are bad, just sum of them.  

Dog Cove to Lost Creek Falls 7.27.2024

 Hiking, history, & humidity… We had them all on our hike of the Dog Cove Loop Trail, Dry Falls Creek Trail, Rylander Cascades & Lost Creek Falls & Cave!

 Seven hikers set out on a beautiful hike through Dog Cove. We walked through open meadows & saw two historic homesteads built in the late 1890’s. We also found remnants of another homestead with the chimney being the only piece still standing. The open meadow was full of beautiful wildflowers… purple passion flowers (Tennessee’s state wildflower), bellflowers, ironweed, butterfly weed, & others. After a nice, flat walk in the cove, we headed uphill for what felt like forever. But, the climb was worth it. At the top of the hill sits Low Gap Arch, a 10’x20’ rock arch. It made a great lunch spot. After eating lunch, we finished the 6-mile Dog Cove loop. Some hikers were finished here & drove their car down to the Lost Creek Falls parking area. They were able to do a short hike to see Rylander Cascades & Lost Creek Falls & Cave.

 Three hikers decided to push on to complete the 12-mile point-to-point hike that includes the Dog Cove Loop Trail, Dry Creek Falls Trail, Rylander Cascades, & Lost Creek Falls & Cave. On the Dry Creek Falls Trail, we walked through a precariously placed set of rocks, stopped at Meditation Rock, & looked at where the “falls” should have been. They don’t call the two waterfalls Dry Creek Falls for nothing. They are usually dry in the summer & times of little rainfall. They are breath-taking in the winter & early spring, though! Next, we came to an impasse with a large Timber Rattlesnake. He was in no hurry whatsoever to move off the trail, so we waited him out. Once, he moved slightly off the trail, we found a way to get around him. We then hiked on to Rylander Cascades which had some water still trickling down, and finally, we made it to Lost Creek Falls & Cave. The waterfall was flowing beautifully, & the cold air coming from the cave felt like air conditioning after 12 miles of hiking in super humid conditions. It was a welcome sensation!

 Overall, despite the humidity & the impasse with the rattlesnake, we had a great day on the trail! A big thanks to all that came out… Tom, Tim, Tammy, Mary, Kim, & Donna!

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

Ducks have feathers to cover their butt quacks.  

Old Copper Road 7.23.2024

Lucky that we got an advanced heads up that part of the trail we hoped to hike was closed.  Lucky that there were bathrooms both at the beginning / end and midpoint of the hike, lucky that the trail was easy to follow and in relatively good condition, lucky that we finished up before the deluge of rain came, and lucky because we had 9 cheerful hikers.  

A nice hike through the woods along the Ocoee river.  Humidity was high, but the elevation change was low.  All in all a nice day with good friends.

If you would like to see one additional picture, click here.  

Please cancel my subscription to your issues.  

Enterprise South 7.16.2024

 Enterprise South always is a pleasure to hike when the weather threatens to rain on our parade. If we are threatened by inclimate weather showing up, we can get off the trail fairly quickly. The trails are always in great shape. Depending on which trail we take, there is enough of a challenge, or not, to feel a little burn during the hike. This particular hike had that. The history of the park and the ammunition bunkers were a draw to the new hikers who had not seen them before – and they got to go inside one and experience the echo-chamber effect of the bunker. We kids love to do that. Though the weather was quite sticky at best, Enterprise South is blessed with a forest canopy that makes hiking in hot and humid conditions, bearable. We started the hike shortly after 7:30 am and finished before ll:00  am. It was an enjoyable 5 to 8 mile hike – depending on whose tracking device we looked at. I believe it was approximately 6 miles long.  By GPS, the hike was 6.4 miles and took 3 hrs and 25 minutes with 14 hikers attending.  Our average speed was 2.1 mph.  

 I would like to take this opportunity to comment on and thank the hikers who I have had the pleasure of hiking with these past 7 years. I have always felt the caliber of Scenic City hikers and hike leaders to be top of the line. I owe so much to those who have taught me so much about this wonderful hiking experience. I hope to enjoy the experience for as long as I can. Thanks Tim for leading from the front whilst I led from the rear.

f you would like to see some not so good pictures, maps and altitude graph, click here.

Insect puns really bug me!

Durham Mines Pre-hike 7.11.2024

 Five of us decided that it would be best if we pre-hiked this trail prior to the club hike in August.  It's a good thing we did as there are many intersecting trails within the network of trails.  The map shows our route.  
If you would like to see a map and altitude graph of this hike, click here.  

Gee Creek 7.9.2024

 What brings six hikers into the woods on a hot, humid day? Why, a beautiful creek that twists & drops multiple times creating beautiful cascades & waterfalls, of course!!

The hike to Gee Creek Falls has it all… water falling everywhere, rock scrambles, a mysterious ending point, & an intriguing relic concrete structure that remains in place today.

Always up for a good adventure were Tom, Carl, John, Mike, Lori, and hike leader Jennifer. The first part of the hike is just an easy walk through the woods but quickly begins to get rocky with a slight incline. After passing several cascades, the group encountered its first rock scramble, which required some careful footwork. Next, we spotted something very unnatural in a natural setting… a concrete flume of some sort. After the hike, we learned that the structure was a concrete water diverter or flume placed there by the Tennessee Copper Company. The company, in operation from 1825-1860, wasn’t mining copper at Gee Creek but instead using the flume to wash mined silica that was used in the copper smelting process… providing flux for furnaces processing copper. Almost 200 years later, Gee Creek still flows through this flume today!

Soon, the group made it to Gee Creek Falls… a beautiful 25 ft. waterfall. The beauty of the falls isn’t its height but how water diverts around stones to create a twin waterfall effect. After taking a break & getting a great group picture at the falls, some of the group soldiered on for more adventure. Crossing the creek meant getting our feet in the water. We all decided just to plow through in our hiking shoes & boots (who has time to put on water shoes?!… haha!), and the water felt amazing! After crossing two creeks & scrambling through more rocks, we came to several cascades & another beautiful waterfall. This was our turnaround spot. The trail does continue on after this point, but the trail is a bit overgrown, requires many creek crossings, hurdling lots of blowdown, & following a faint trail that eventually disappears, so we decided to save that adventure for another day. We had a great group & had a good time on the trail. We also had a tasty lunch after the hike at The Local Goat near the carpool meetup location in Ooltewah.  

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

The love triangle soon turned into a wrecktangle.

Emory Creek 7.6.2024

 Our group included Tammy, Dave, Calley, Mike, Tom, and hike leader Betsy. These six intrepid hikers braved high humidity and nine creek crossings to make their way to an impressively high waterfall on Emery Creek. Some also ventured to the top of the waterfall to discover a whole string of waterfalls further upstream. Then we all kept going up the main trail to a couple more waterfalls! Even though the side trail went only to the top of the bigger waterfall, it was worth the extra distance—especially when a most curious thing happened when a one of us sat on the lip of the high falls. He heard voices right below him! Very careful inspection led to the discovery of a ledge about six feet below the lip, occupied by a couple of chattering people. How they got there is a mystery.

 Everyone survived all the creek crossings. Some crossed these creeks a lot faster than others as they didn’t care about getting their shoes/boots wet. Some tried to jump from rock to rock; some of these also got their shoes/boots wet. For the first and by far the deepest crossing, most of us changed into our water shoes and set out across the relatively calm and apparently shallow water. The ones who took longer to get into their water shoes had the advantage of seeing which routes were least deep. Some got their shorts wetter than others. On the way back, a couple of people explored new routes across. The one who went to the rocky stretch above the whitewater hopped successfully from rock to rock. The one who crossed directly below the whitewater slid up to her neck into the water while trying to scramble up a pointy—and very slick—rock. Hey, it felt good! It was a hot day! And the smart phone in her pocket shook off the dunking well.   

 Next time, let’s everyone remember that the best way to the first creek crossing is to bear left after going up the steps. Do NOT go up any further.

No pictures of this hike.  

Hall Road Segment. 6.29.2024

 Celia and Tom and trip leader Betsy had a fine 6-mile out-and-back hike on a relatively new piece of the Cumberland Trail on Signal Mountain. The “Hall Road Trailhead” is actually at the end of Old Anderson Road, which branches off Hall Road about 0.7 mile from US 127. It is also known as the Lone Oak Trailhead. The parking area has room for about 4-6 vehicles. The trail is in fine shape. It ambles along the top of the plateau for a while, then gradually descends to North Chickamauga Creek. At the creek, the trail crosses a new bridge and turns downstream. The pleasant trail along the creek is close to flat for quite a distance, then diverts up and around some steep terrain a few times. We three hikers were lucky that the weather was fairly mild, considering that only three days before, the temperature in Chattanooga hit 100 degrees. On our hike, the  temperature increased only to the mid-eighties, so that even the climb up and out of the gorge on the way back was not unpleasant. Betsy had her clippers with her, so now there are fewer barbed greenbrier along the trail. The latter has a very nasty tendency to reach out and scratch passing hikers, but on the other hand, it provides sustenance to many animals, especially deer (which seem to have steel-lined mouths).

 Alas, this piece of the Cumberland Trail is left dangling to the SW. Hopefully it will one day be connected to the Signal and Edwards Point Section. To the NE, it is 12.5 miles from Hall Road trailhead to Barker Camp trailhead, with about 1500’ of elevation gain. We’ve got to do this whole segment sometime!

Sorry, but there are no pictures to accompany this report.  

Craven's House 7.2.2024

 Ten hikers got to enjoy this hike, dispite the humidity that was fairly heavy during the hike. We  were blessed with a nice breeze during several sections of the hike. There also was a light cloud cover  during most of the hike. We departed Craven's House before 8 am and proceded on the Craven's House Trail up to the Bluff trail and on to Sunset Rock. We enjoyed the view from atop the rock and had our  snacks. We then returned along the Bluff Trail to Point Park. At the park we got to enjoy the view of  Chattanooga below. We left the park and took the trail down to Craven's House via the Bluff and  Mountainview trails. The trails were in good shape and we finished before 11 am, tired and perspiring  but happy.

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here.  

Stringer's Ridge, 6.25.2024

 We have been having a hot spell here so we are starting our hikes earlier.  We were a little surprised this time.  When we arrived at the trail head, it was actually quite cool.  This was quite the pleasant change.  It didn't take long for the weather to warm up however.  This 3 hour hike consisted of multiple ups and downs providing plenty of exercise. We enjoyed an incredible view of downtown Chattanooga from the overlook, drank plenty of water and talked most of the way for the 3.3 mile hike.  Following the hike a group of hikers went downtown for brunch.  

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here or on the group picture.  

The littlest mermaid wears an algebra to math class.  

John Muir Trail 6.22.2024

 Six hardy hikers braved the heat and humidity to travel a section of the John Muir trail along the Hiwassee river. We started at the Apalachia Powerhouse, literally at the end of the road and walked into what seemed like a jungle. It was a little overgrown in areas, occasional muddy and rocky bluffs. When the bugs started swarming and the sweat dripping, we decided to turn around and shorten the hike. Next time we will do the trail in cool weather and when the bugs and weeds diminish.

 We witnessed a good Samaritan rescue a stranded fisherman. Apparently, the fisherman didn’t realize when the loud horn sounds, TVA releases water stored in the powerhouse and floods the previously rocky and shallow river. The guy was on an island with water rushing all around. A rescue rope, strong arms helped the man back safely to shore.

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

First restaurant opens on the moon, great food, no atmosphere!

St. Elmo, 6.18.2024

A dozen Scenic City hikers walked through the beautifully shaded Forest Hills Cemetery to see the final resting place of many of those responsible for the growth of Chattanooga.  Our urban hike continued for a few blocks past impressive old homes to the hawkins Ridge footpath.  Only the sounds of traffic indicated that the wooded, hilly path was in the middle of the city.  Coming back to the city streets, we had a quick break for treats from the Hot Chocolatier before taking the Virginia Avenue Greenway back to our cars.  

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike, including a map, click here.  

The Procrastinator's meeting has been postponed indefinitely.  

Cloudland Canyon 6.15.2024

Six hikers went on the Cloudland Canyon hike.  The hikers were Larry, Tom, Linda, Joan,  Martina and Julia.  We spent the day visiting every waterfall and overlook in the park.  Three hikers had never been to Cloudland Canyon before.  The group hiked the Overlook Trail, the Waterfalls Trail and the West Rim Trail.  The hikers were from Ringgold, GA, Soddy Daisy, Ooltewah, Winchester, Murfreesboro and Memphis.  

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

I looked up opaque, the definition wasn't very clear.  

Short Springs State Natural Area 6.11.2024

 This was an absolutely perfect day for a hike.  It was cool, especially in the morning and remained cool for the duration of this hike.  It was a rather long drive for us, about one hour, but it was worth it.  There were 11 of us on this hike.  This hike was about 4.3 miles and lasted about 3 hours and 40 minutes.  There were several waterfalls, Machine, Adams, and Busby. with Machine being by far the best.  It was just beautiful with lots of water flowing.  After this hike we drove a short distance to Rutledge Falls which was also spectacular.  This was just a short walk from the a parking area.  Following all of this everyone went to eat at The Celtic Cup Coffee House which was a delightful experience.  Good food, but rather erratic service.  This might have been because of the size of our group.  All in all a great day.  

If you would like to see some photos and map of this hike, click here click here.  

I got my wife a new fridge.  Her face lit up when she opened it!

Rock Creek 6.8.2024

 

This Saturday morning, 12 hikers met at this trail in Sale Creek, TN.  It was an awesome morning for hiking.   The temperature upon arrival was a cool 64 degrees, with low humidity and lots of sunshine.  This hike included a little bit of everything – lots of ups and downs, some rocky terrain, the views and sounds of flowing water in rock creek, leisure walking along the plateau with natures cushion (pine needles lining the trail), a few switchbacks and even a little mud.  This is one of my favorite trails as it challenges you a bit but not too much.    A break & snack was enjoyed at the Leggett Point Overlook. Total hike was over 6 miles (AllTrails says 5.5 but the consensus among the hikers tracking their mileage, it is more like 6 to 6 ½ miles) with elevation of more than 1100’.  Hikers included TTA Scenic City members: Tim Booth (hike leader), Mike and Lori Schiro, Dave Graham, Randy Medley, Tom McNally, Tammy Hendrick, Suzanne Thigpen, Mike Wolford, Tom McElhone, Betsy Darken, and TTA Plateau member: Mary Carlisle. 

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

Talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.

.  

Benton MacKaye Trail 6.4.2024

 The weather forecast for this hike was iffy at best. Scattered rain and thunderstorms were predicted for the area. However, just prior to cancelling the hike, the weather forecast changed to indicate the foul weather wouldn't take place until noon at the earliest. I calculated that we could finish the 4+ mile hike just short of noon, barring any unforeseen mishaps. As we left Food City in Ooltewah, the clouds were just forming over Chattanooga. We raced over to Reliance TN and staged our vehicles at Reliance and headed for the Lost Creek Campground. The trail distance was listed at 4.1 miles.

However the road from the Reliance campground to the Lost Creek camp ground was listed as 25 to 30 minutes over a gravel road. We made it to the trailhead and departed on the hike somewhere between 9:30 and 9:45. The sun was shining, the temperature was probably in the 70's, the humidity was bearable, and a slight breeze was blowing – perfect hiking weather for the 1^st part of June. We followed the creek for about 3 miles, then proceeded inland and up a steep incline and the rapid descent to almost a tenth of a mile to the end of the trail. As we made our final creek crossing, the rain shower began. Not particularly heavy but enough to dampen our clothes. Part of our group waited about an hour at the local camp ground store, while the rest made the one hour round-trip to get the staged vehicles at the Lost Creek Campground. All in all it was a great hike to welcome in the summer hiking season.

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

A minute varies depending on which side of the bathroom door you are on.  

Denny Cove 5.28.2024

 What a beautiful day for a hike.   It was a very clear day with a slight breeze blowing.  There were twelve of us on this hike which was just under 5 miles.  After carefully traversing many boulders, we arrived at the falls.  The falls were running just right and it was so beautiful.  Some of the hikers thought it was the best falls they had seen in Tennessee.  We began our trek back and reached a point where it was possible to to take a spur trail up to where the rock climbers liked to do their thing.  Some of the hikers decided to remain on the current trail and seven hikers decided to take the Buffet Trail back.  This was probably a mistake as we lost the trail a couple of times and and had to do some bushwacking.  When we were on the trail it was great.  Off the trail not so much.  We finally joined the rest of the group and hiked to a lookout point.  Turned out to be a great hike except yours truly took a spill and split open the bridge of his nose.  Not so bad though. This hike took about 3.5 hours. Following the hike we went to Lookout Winery and had some very good pizza.   

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

To some, marriage is a word.  To others it is a sentence.  

Fort Mountain S.P. 5.21.2024

A spectacular sojourn in N. GA at Fort Mtn State Park.  13 brave souls trekked about 6 miles around Fort Mtn enjoying the serenity that abounds.  AllTrails kept us on the straight and narrow as this hike even confused the Ranger staff attg the park.  Nevertheless, it was an incredible hike of maybe a bit beyond typical Tuesday hikes.  but no looking back.  This ought to be a regular at least once a year.  Got off track for a bit, one slip and slide with no injury and incredible views of the N. GA. Mountains.  Even got to navigate around a baby rattlesnake who did not seem to disturbed by our NOISY  invasion into his home.  

If you would like to see a few nice photos from this hike, click here click here.  

Never trust a train, they have loco motives.  

Collegedale, Red Ball Trail, 5.14.2024

 We started out on this hike under threatening skies.  The forecast was 50% chance of  rain.  We made the entire hike without so much as a single drop.  This 4 mile hike lasted 2 hrs and 37 minutes under very cloudy and humid skies.  There were 19 of us on this trip with two new, to our club, hikers dropping out about 1/2 way.  The woods were lush and beautiful.  As you can see by the altitude graph, we had a good workout on this hike.  Following this hike 11 of us flooded a little panini restaurant next to Tractor supply.  All in all a very good hike.    

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

My dog can find anything, He's a Labragoogle!

Johnston Woods, 4.7.2024

 This Tuesday morning, 18 eager hikers met at this trail in McDonald, TN.  Upon arrival at the trailhead, the temperature was a humid 69 degrees, with partly cloudy skies and virtually no breeze.  Humidity had to be close to 100%.  As we gathered for hike instructions, we were welcomed with the soothing constant hum of our visitors, the 13 & 17 year cicadas.  It sounded like we were being invaded by UFOs.  This hike was very easy and consisted of two short trails.  To the left of the parking lot was a 3.2 mile loop trail (blue marker trail), which is where we started our hike and to the right was a shorter 1.3 mile lollipop trail (white marker trail).   Everyone seemed to enjoy the pleasant walk in the woods and just being outdoors.  A short break & snack was enjoyed once the longer trail was completed.  Other than seeing an occasional cicada sharing our trail, the hike was mostly uneventful.  Hikers included TTA Scenic City members: Tim Booth (hike leader), Mike and Lori Schiro (new members), Dave Graham, Earl Helmer, Tom McNally, Will Latham (back from Spain safe & sound), Ginny Kidd with one visitor Arsen Martyshchuk (recent graduate of UTC and originally from Ukraine), Mike Wolford, Linda Keown, Tom McElhone, Kathy Thelen, Tom Long, Julie Roberts, & Kathy Bowen. Two visitors: Craig Scott and Donnalea Day.    

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

Just a note;  Some people are wise and some people are otherwise.  

Chickamauga Battlefield 5.4.2024

 I don't have a report for this hike, but it appears to have been an overcast day for the three hikers with just about perfect temperatures.  Enjoy the photos.  

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

Today is the oldest you have been and the youngest you will ever be, so enjoy it while you can!

McGill Creek 4.28.2024

 This Saturday morning, 15 enthusiastic hikers met at the trail in Graysville, TN.  Upon arrival at the trailhead, the temperature was a cool 65 degrees, with overcast skies and a slight breeze from the west.  A great morning for a hike.  After instructions from Tim Booth, hike leader and group picture, the “troop” meandered the trail, crossed Brayton Mtn. Road, viewed the awesome Roaring Creek and then back into the woods.  The trail had many ups and downs and lots of awesome sights, especially the mountain views to the east.  At about the 2.2-mile marker, the much-anticipated McGill Creek was in the clearing to the south, with the rushing sounds of water gushing downstream.  What a beautiful sound! Shortly, everyone arrived at the bridge.  At this point, Betsy Darkin lead the team across the bridge & further southwest – across the “boulder fields” and down to the falls.  Here, lunch and snacks were enjoyed.  About half of the group then proceeded back to the bridge, while the other half continued slightly further on the trail enjoying further views of the creek.  Once the full group was back at the bridge, Tim Booth led the group back to the trailhead.  On the return trip, the sun decided to break through the clouds, and it started to warm up nicely but still very comfortable.  Everyone seemed to have a great time.  The only thing missing was the ice cream at the end of the hike. Enjoy the pictures.

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

I do all my own stunts, just never intentionally.  

Pickett State Park 4.20.2024

 A full day of adventure… that’s the best way to describe our hike of the Hidden Passage Trail! 5 Scenic City members joined by one Plateau chapter member made the long road trip up to Pickett State Park for an incredible hike with a ‘Wow’ around nearly every turn. Half of the group decided to hike the shorter route… but still got in 7.5 miles of hiking & saw the beautiful Crystal Falls, a “hidden passage” through the rocks, a small arch, huge rock shelters, amazing rock formations, & took in beautiful views from Thompson Overlook. The other hikers decided to tackle the whole trail plus two side spur trails… racking up their total miles for the day to 11.5! They saw all the same sights listed above but also saw an additional waterfall, Double Falls, and experienced a real adventure… walking through an unfinished, abandoned railroad tunnel. The tunnel is huge & required our hikers to wear a headlamp or use a flashlight to see their way through. Pickett State Park never disappoints, & the Hidden Passage Trail is a great example of that. It was a great day with a great group!!

Today’s hikers were:  Jennifer Davis (hike leader), Tom McElhone, Tim Booth, Rita Wilpers, Jason Knutson, & Celia DeLeon Suarez (Plateau Chapter)

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

Never trust a train, they have Loco Motives.

Far Enough Trail 4.23.2024

 This hike was a little different than most of our hikes.  Half of the hike involved a walk through parts of Saint Elmo to look at the architecture of the old houses, most of which have been remodeled.  Seventeen of us met at Food City in Saint Elmo and walked from there.  It was a short walk through town to the trailhead of Far Enough Trail.  This trail is very new and few of us had hiked it before.  The distance hike on this day was 3.56 miles with a time of 2 hours and 19 minutes to our lunch.  We averaged 2.0 mph on this hike which is not bad.  The Far Enough Trail was beautiful and led us past some monstrous boulders which was very interesting.  Part way through the hike we intercepted the Guild Trail which we followed under the Lookout Mountain Incline Railway and then we took another trail back down the mountain to Saint Elmo.  There we walked sidewalks to the Purple Daisy Cafe which is one of our favorite stopping places.  Beautiful day for a hike!

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

Do gun manuals have a troubleshooting section??

Chickamauga Battlefield 4.16.2024

 What a beautiful day to combine hiking & history! A great group of Scenic City chapter members came together to hike the 5-mile General Bragg Trailhead at Chickamauga Battlefield. The trail is a beautiful path through the woods that highlights important people & events that occurred in the Battle of Chickamauga. The trail is so beautiful & peaceful now that it’s almost unfathomable how much blood was shed there between September 18-20, 1863. The Battle of Chickamauga was the 2^nd bloodiest battle of the entire Civil War, surpassed only by Gettysburg.

This hike lasted for 3hrs and 20 minutes with an average walking speed of 2.4 MPH and a distance of 5.4 miles

Our group consisted of group leader, Jennifer Davis, and the following Scenic City members & guests: Luke Spiekermann, Jean Smith, William Smith, Bill Ragsdale, Kathy Thelen, Tim Booth, Earl Helmer, Randy Medley, Tom McElhone, Ginny Kidd, Donnalea Day, & Craig Scott.I you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike including a couple of maps,         click here.  

The little mermaid wears seashells.  A and B shells are too small.