Black Mountain 9.13.2025

 It was a beautiful day to hike Black Mountain. The sky was blue, with moderate temperatures, leaves hinting a change of color and acorns dropping to the forest floor. We hiked to the cave and peered in. Continued on switchbacks up the mountain to the “Gateway”- huge house sized rocks with a stairway to attain the summit. Lunch was on the south overlook, one of the grandest views from the plateau to the valley below. After lunch, some of the hikers explored the trail just below the bluff to see more rocks & crevasses in the bluff edge. We returned to our cars, putting in 7.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1512 feet.

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

Collins Gulf 8.26.2025

 What a perfect day for a hike.  Upon meeting at the trailhead, the temperature was around 67 degrees, very low humidity, sunny skies & a low variable cool breeze.  This hike started off very easy for the first ¼ mile, but once you pass the campground and begin the descent down to Suter Falls, the terrain becomes rocky with a sharp down hill climb.  We could hear the roaring sound of Suter Falls and the anticipation to see its glory was overwhelming.  We continued further down the trail and “enjoyed” a little boulder hopping and more rock scrambling till we reached the overlook at Suter Falls and the Collins River.  What an awesome view!  With all the rain we have had lately, the river was flowing in full force.  We then made the semi-circle turn into the rock canyon to get better views of the falls and to continue on the trail.  After we crossed over the Collins River via the swinging bridge, we made it to “Fantasy Island”.  If you have never been, I highly encourage it!  Take a lunch and enjoy the falls. We continued on to explore the Housepound Falls.  The trail had several more areas of rock scrambling and boulder hopping but nothing too crazy.  Once the terrain became less rocky, we began a further decent to the second falls.  We proceeded another 1 ½ miles and finally arrived at the exquisite Housepound Falls. Like Suter Falls, it was “gushing” from the flow of the Collins River.  Everyone took a snack/lunch break and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the river.  We then retraced our steps and returned to the main trailhead.  Fortunately, most of the uphill climb back included several switchbacks and flatter areas to take short hydration breaks and catch your breath.  This was a great hike but tough due to the terrain and 870’ elevation gain on the return trip, especially for a Tuesday hike.  Although everyone preserved and finished the full 5 mile out & back hike (with one hiker doing the full loop - 12 mile hike), all seemed to enjoy the awesome views which made the journey much more enjoyable.  Hikers included TTA Scenic City members: Tim Booth (hike leader), Tammy Hendrick, Susan Kroll, Barbara Hill, Tom McElhone, Bob Anderson, Betsy Darkin and one TTA Murfreesboro member: Sara Pollard. (Submitted by: Tim Booth)

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

Raccoon Mountain 8.19.2025

It’s hot out there! But this was the perfect time to hike Raccoon Mountain.  Lots of shade, a few cool breezes, some elevation gain but not too much.  The only tricky part was getting people to and from the right place for the shuttle.  Just the right hike for a warm August day. 

If you would like to see a couple of photos from this hike, click here or on the photo to the right.  

Sewanee Perimeter Trail 8.16.2025

  Saturday's Perimeter Trail hike turned out not to be the hot humid hike the weather forecast  predicted. The heat index was forecast to be 100 degrees at noon in Sewanee. As it turned out, it was  hot and humid, but didn't feel like 100 degrees. I think the humidity was lower than forecast. 

 We set out shortly after 8:30 EST along the perimeter trail all the way to past Otey View overlook.  There wasn't much of a view to be had at the overlook due to the lush growth provided by the ample rains we have had this past summer. We continued on the trail until we reached a point on the trail where we left the Perimeter Trail and hiked to Bridal Veil Falls. When we arrived at the falls, there  wasn't much water falling – just a trickle, which was unexpected considering all the recent rain we have had. After we had our snacks, we hiked back up the mountain to the Perimeter Trail and Morgan's Steep. From there we took the Proctor's Hall Trail back to the Memorial Cross trailhead.  The hike up from the falls was the most difficult part of the hike. It was steep and what I would classify as difficult. 

 The hike back on the Proctor's Hall Trail was also a challenge. It was a narrow up and down trail on a steep grade. About 2 tenths of a mile from the trailhead, there was a steep rock climb up and through an opening in the rocks. This climb was steep and precarious enough that it resulted in a 3-way split up amongst the hikers. 2 hikers made the steep climb up and through the rock opening, 2 hikers made their way up an alternate near-by trail leading to a road above the trail where we could walk on the road back to the trailhead, and 2 hikers back-tracked back to the Perimeter Trail. The split-up resulted in the 3 groups arriving at the trailhead approximately 5 minutes apart from each other.

All in all, it turned out to be a good, albeit hot, 6 mile difficult hike.

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

Durham Mines, 8.12.2025

 Six intrepid hikers got a bit wet exploring new (to us) trails at Durham Mine Trails.  

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

Prentice Cooper 8.9.2025

 Boulders! The hike description didn’t include boulders. But the big rocks were a plus on the hike from Snooper’s Rock to Mullen’s cove in Prentice Cooper state forest. It was a warm day but the forest canopy and temperatures in the 80s made for a nice walk. Streams had little water. Magnolia trees stretched their giant leaves. Joe Pye weed flowers were sprinkled along the trail. (BTW-who is Joe Pye?) Though hiking as a team of 8, 4 of us elected to walk only the west half of Mullen’s cove, a distance of 7 miles with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. The other 4 hikers traveled the entire loop, ending at Snooper’s Rock for a total of 11 miles and elevation of 1700 feet. Good job! The trail was well marked, occasionally overgrown and well…those boulders!

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

Walden's Ridge Park 8.5.2025

We had a group of nine hikers with Jean serving as hike leader and Mike as the sweeper.  It was a great day for a hike, overcast and a little cooler than the weather has been.  Taking the Lower Lift Ticket up to and then across on the Middle Traverse, from there we took the Escalator down and completed the loop.  The trail names are a little tongue in cheek with no Lift and no Escalator.  Very pleasant hike with well marked trails.  

If you would like to see one additional photo of the hikers, click here.  

John Muir Trail, 8.2.2025

 John Muir Trail, Reliance TN Hike Scenic City TTA Chapter, August 2, 2025 The 3-T hikers (Tammy, Tim and Tom) got to enjoy a really nice in and out hike along the shores of the Hiwassee River on Saturday. The weather was in the upper 70's and low 80's. It remained overcast for the entire hike and it only rained as we approached our car at the trailhead at the end of the hike. We embarked on our hike at 8:40 and hiked to the rest stop on Powerhouse Rd – a little over 3 miles on the trail. We had our snacks and began our exit return trek around 11:00. We reached the trailhead just before 1:00 just has it began to rain. The hike was an easy 6.4 miles with 200' elevation gain. The trail was well maintained and only a little mucky in spots due to recent rains.

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

White Oak Mountain, 7.29.2025

 

On Tuesday, ten Scenic City hikers, led by Dave Graham got an early start to “beat the heat and humidity” for a five-mile adventure crisscrossing the many intersecting trails of White Oak Mountain in Collegedale on the beautiful domain of Southern Adventist University.  While seriously deviating from the original plan, Dogwood, Rolling Green, Valley and Pinewood Loop Trail, we did indeed beat the heat for the most part before enjoying a fine meal at Los Potros Mexican restaurant in Ooltewah.  Many thanks to Collegedale resident, Tim Booth’s familiarity with the area, from keeping the hike leader getting us seriously lost on the Mountain. 

If you would like to see a better picture of the hikers, click here or on the picture to the right.  

Edwards Point 7.24.2025

 Saturday’s hike began at Signal Point Park. The six hikers descended the side of Signal Mountain on the “mousetrap”, a series of old, very old wooden steps and boulders arranged in a way that would be easy to manage in the days when giants roamed the earth. Some of us little people scooted down on our bums. Three trees were across the trial, having us crawl under and over. We then traversed the swinging bridge over Middle Creek and began the ascent toward Edwards Point.

Thunder sporadically grumbled in the distance. A light rain fell off and on for maybe an hour or so. By the time we reached the overlook at Edwards, the clouds lifted and afforded us a nice view of the Tennessee River valley.

We retraced our steps to Middle Creek, turned left to take the Ohio Road trail. It’s an easier, gentler ascent than the mousetrap. A short road walk took us back to our parked cars at Signal Mountain Park.

Good job hikers! A short but rugged trail of 5.5 miles with an elevation gain of 961 feet.

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

Shackleford Ridge 7.15.2025

 

It was hot.  It was humid.  But we forged ahead on a delightful, shady hike to THE ROCK!  The mysterious Mushroom Rock – how did it get here?  A nice and sweaty hike fueled by lots of conversations and shenanigans.  

If you would like to see a couple of photos taken during this hike including a great picture of Mushroom Rock, click here. 

Greeter Falls 7.8.2025

 

Twelve hikers from the Scenic City and Highland Rim Chapters hiked to Lower and Upper Greeter Falls and Boardtree Falls.  We enjoyed our lunch at the Big Bluffs Overlook, which is at the end of Greeter Trail.  We enjoyed two panoramic vistas; to left Big Creek Gulf, and to the right Greeter Gulf.  The hikers ere Joan Hartvigsen, Marcia Medford, Roy Owensby, Tammy Crozier, Margie Schumacher, Tom McElhone, Cynthia Skidmore, Betsy Darken, Susan Kroll, Athena O’Briant, Liana Webb and Natalee Webb.  The trails were in full Shade and the early morning hike was cool.  Thank you Liana for the additional pictures.  

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

Chilhowee Mountain 7.102025

 Currently I do not have a write up for this hike, but it certainly looks like they crossed some streams.  

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

Chickamauga Creek 6.21.2025

  Summer in Tennessee! Saturday’s hike started out comfortable but as the day progressed, so did the temperature. For the most part, we were under the forest canopy, hiking on the North Chickamauga creek trail, starting at Barker Camp road. We headed in the direction of Hall road, through the large rockhouse which was filled with huge boulders (and probably snakes which, thank goodness, we didn’t encounter.) Next we crossed the creek on a nice metal bridge. The blue hole below, later in the day was filled with people swimming, partying – the locals call the place “Paradise”. We followed the trail; on the side of the bluff, disappearing in the overgrowth of weeds. The side of the path was crumbling away. Boot placement was critical to avoid tumbling down the bluff to the creek below. Rhododendron blooms littered the path like rose petals at a wedding. Two hikers turned back after hiking 3 miles in. Two others proceeded another mile or so in search of Mystery Falls. It remains a mystery as the falls could be heard but not seen. Good job hikers, treading 6 plus miles on a challenging trail with an elevation gain of 1100 feet.

If you would like to see some very nice pictures, taken by Tammy, during this hike, click here or on the picture at the right.  

I just got my wife a fridge for her birthday.  I can't wait to see her face light up when she opens it1

Moonshine Trail 6.17.2025

 With trail names like firewater and White Lightening, and Moonshine campground, we searched and searched for either stills or cached booze – but none were to be found.  Eleven of us had a nice stroll through the wooded trails – it was humid but there was a breeze, and just the right amount of elevation gain.  Six of us did the 3+mile loop and the rest did a total of 6-7 miles, depending on who you asked. 

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

Rocky Face Ridge Park 6.10.2025

 Seven SC Hikers, led by Dave Graham weathered a bit of a morning mist and fog to ascend to Buzzards Roost at rocky Face Ridge Park near Dalton, GA.  Cool temperature, but oppressive high humidity accompanied us on the 5.5 mile sojourn.  After meeting up with a big black snake on our climb to the top, an elevation gain of over 1300 feet, we were met by spectacular views from a 360 degree vantage point.  All in all, a GREAT hike – one that deserves a repeat visit. 

If you would like to see some really nice pictures, click here or on the picture to the right.  

Little Cedar Mountain 5.20.2025

 On this hike, 17 hikers traversed the Little Cedar Mountain Trail.  Although there were some overgrown spots and some slippery rocks, we enjoyed the forest and flowers.  The views and breezes at the water’s edge and overlook at the top of out our 400 foot ascent provided a nice reprieve from the muggy weather.  A snake and turtle greeted us along the way.  All in all, it was a pleasurable morning.  A special thanks to Randy for doing trail maintenance ahead of us as we hiked. 

If you would like to see some really great pictures taken during the hike, click here or on the picture to the right.  

 I don't have a write-up for this hike but it was a nice day and I don't think the rains came.  

If you would like to see some really nice photos, click here or on the picture to the right.  

Cows have hooves because they lactose.  

Raccoon Mtn.

 I don't have any description of this hike, but from the smiling faces it appeared to be a very nice walk in the woods.   

If you would like to see some great pictures from this hike, click here or on the picture to the right.  

Greenway Farms 5.13.2025

 Our hike at Greenway Farms started out nice and clear.  Unfortunately, a short but thorough shower drenched us all on the way back.  Gotta love the trails.  

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