Fall Creek Falls Wildflower hike

4.5.14    Not much to report on this hike.  It was accompanied by a ranger that described in detail the local wildflowers.  I'm sorry, but there are no flower pictures.  The hike was approximately 4.5 miles and rated as moderate.  For a couple of pictures of the hikers, click here or on the Fall Creek Falls tab above.

Rainbow Lake

4.2.14  This hike was a short 3 miles.  Everyone enjoyed the hike and the day turned out fine.  This hike would be rated as easy.

Snoopers Rock 3.23.14

The hike started out at Snooper's Rock instead of the main parking lot since since a trail runners race was scheduled to begin and end at the parking lot.  It turned out to be a great hike and was completed before the rains came.  I would rate this hike as strenuous.

Snow Falls 3.15.14

3.15.14    The Soddy Daisy TTA Chapter had a total of 9 hikers today as we met at the Soddy Daisy Ball Fields and then carpooled up to Dayton, Tn where we hiked the Snow Falls trail.  Our hike leader today was the very capable John Politte and with the side trip to Buzzard Point the hike itself was approximately 11 miles long and was rated as strenuous.  The day was gorgeous as it began partly sunny and in the mid 40’s when we met and by the time we hit the trail it was climbing into the low 50’s and heading towards the mid to upper 60’s, who could ask for more?  John & I struck out on a fairly fast pace so shortly into the hike the perspiration started flowing where some of the boys and girls were already stripping off their clothes or maybe it was just their jackets – not sure, with old age the memory is the first thing to go or so they say.   Well we arrived up on top and headed for Buzzard Point prior to traveling to Snow Falls and the overlook was outstanding although we didn’t spot the usual Black Buzzards circling the point as I had last July when I was backpacking Snow Falls.  Several of the hikers had previously stated that if Morgan Creek was up they would not attempt a water crossing to see Snow Falls.  So once we arrived at the creek it was going to be tricky to cross due to the depth of the water but 4 of us forged on across while the others stayed behind.  I was lucky enough to pick a path that didn’t get any deeper than my boots so my feet stayed dry as did most of the others.  At Snow Falls we stayed on top instead of hiking down to the bottom and viewing it from below so it meant several of us had to cross the creek again to gain a vantage point for viewing the falls as it was going over but it was well worth it.  Back in July when I camped out by the creek there wasn’t much more than a trickle of water flowing that day so this was a pleasant surprise.   After crossing the creek four separate times we had pushed our luck enough without anyone taking a fall so we headed back to the Snow/Laurel parking lot where we found it packed with cars and others enjoying the trails also.  I hope you had an opportunity to get out on a trail somewhere on Saturday and aid in the renewal of the body, mind & spirit! Oh btw I might mention that I brought home a hitch hiker in the form of a tick feeding on the back of my leg so I guess that means that we should start digging out the insect repellant for the upcoming Spring and Summer hiking season.  Happy Hiking Everyone!

Larry

3.8.14    There were 13 lucky souls who could have stayed home and worked around the house on such a warm and beautiful late winter’s day but instead decided to throw caution to the wind and make a sacrifice by driving up to the Cumberland Mountain State Park just outside of Crossville, Tn to share a 9 mile hike together.  Oh well it looks as though the work around the house will just have to wait for another day.  We had the pleasure of having two new hikers with us, one young lady from Dayton, Tn and a young man from LaFayette, Ga and they were a very welcome addition to our numbers.  Our hike leader was George Bonneau of the TTA, Soddy Daisy Chapter and he had set us up to  hike approximately 8 miles but several of us that were in the lead added at least another mile to it on the way back either because we were having so much fun or maybe because we made a wrong turn, I was happy with the way it turned out so it didn’t matter to me!  Beginning around 10:00 a.m. we left the Ranger’s Office and headed towards the centerpiece of the Park where the trail began, the old stone bridge/dam located less than a quarter of a mile from the Office.   The stone bridge/dam was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late '30s and it’s still a beauty to behold.  We followed the steps down beside the bridge and began with the red blazes for the  Cumberland Plateau Trail.  Within approximately a .5 mile the blazes changed to yellow for the Byrd Creek Trail  and at about 1.25 miles we crossed a quaint bridge over a small creek that was built as an Eagle Scout project a number of years ago.   Shortly thereafter we started following the blue blazes for the Overnight Trail which included a campsite thus the label as the Overnight Trail as well as a Suspension Bridge over Three Mile Creek.  This trail was listed as a 6 mile loop.  I’m assuming that this trail doesn’t get a lot of traffic since it’s the most distant trail from the Ranger’s Office and that’s probably the reason it could use a little TLC when it comes to removing downed trees from the trail.  The loop intersected back to a segment of the yellow blazed trail and we returned to our vehicles at the Ranger’s Office.  I would like to say that everyone had a great time and returned home but that would be leaving out one of the best parts of the trip, the buffet meal after the hike at the State Park’s Restaurant.  This was probably the best lunch I’ve had in quite a while (it’s apparent that they have some awesome cooks in the kitchen) and I would highly recommend that it’s well worth the trip to get in a great hike and then replenish your calories that were burned off during the lengthy hike by stopping at the restaurant for the buffet.  I actually believe that I added many more calories than I burned on the hike but me and food are best friends!  Happy Hiking Everyone! J

Larry