Ft. Mountain State Park 10.29.2022

 David led this Scenic City hike at Fort Mtn. State Park in Ga; Cool Springs and Mill Creek Falls, a 5.1 mile trek up and down (mostly up) with 1371 ft elevation gain.  Thirteen hikers enjoyed a spectacularly clear late November day.  We enjoyed a beautiful North Georgia Mountains view at Cool Springs Overlook before undertaking the loop trail.  The trail was well marked, but we had to contend with post fall leaves covering the ground on top of roots, boulders and lose rocks that made for challenging navigation.  It was a fun outing that deserves another look in future seasons.  

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

Black Mountain to Ozone Falls 11.26.2022

 Black Mountain to Ozone Falls, a 7.2 mile hike, up & down (mostly down) the bluff & gorges of the Crab Orchard area. We started with 12 hikers & ended with 12 hikers, a very good thing! When we stopped for lunch, we realized a hiker was missing. Calling his name, whistling – no response. Using technology, we had enough cell service to call him. The call went to “leave a message.” Left a message- where are you? Texted-where are you? A moment later, he returned our call! He was alive & well, still on the trail but behind us. Had something to do with a restroom break, seeing a bunch of people dressed in white pass by him (was he having an angelic vision?) & waiting for us to catch up to him. Confused? Yeah, me too. He finally caught up to us. So very happy to be reunited! Hugged him then slugged him for causing us to worry. Later wondered if he was on blood thinners & the punch to the arm could cause bleeding. Good thing we just took our first aid class – we know how to treat excessive bleeding!

 The trail was well blazed, leaf-covered, rocky especially around the falls which was still flowing. We had 1 slip & slide area where 3 of us fell down a short ravine, but no injuries. The trail is beckoning us to return in the spring, when the falls will be raging with water & flowers will be decorating the hillsides.

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

Oswald Dome, 11.19.2022

 

Scenic City Hike, 11/19/22: Oswald Dome

 Ten intrepid hikers chugged up 2,200 feet over almost four miles to reach Oswald Dome, where we admired the several cell towers and outbuildings at the top of Bean Mountain. On this beautiful day with a pure blue sky and pleasantly cool temperatures, we all had a fine time chattering like magpies and admiring views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Our six chapter members were happy to be joined by four hikers collected by Will Latham via a Meetup posting, with much pleasant intermingling. Ten hikers went up and 10 hikers came down, no one fell, and no one got hurt (despite hopes from some about practicing our newly acquired splinting skills). It was a fine outing!

Reflection Riding with Jim Ogden 11.1.2022

 This was a beautiful hike at Reflection Riding that took 23 of us on a 3.3 mile walk with Jim Ogden, chief historian of the Chickamauga Battlefield.  This hike took us almost four hours and included seven stops to hear the Civil War history at each stop.  The weather started out overcast and foggy just as it probably was at the time of the battle.  We started where the Union Army crossed Lookout Creek.  Jim narrated the story and personalities of the principal parties of involved at each location as we reached it.  His story of the Battle Above the Clouds was absolutely fascinating.  If you would like to see some pictures taken during this walk, including a map where each stop is represented by a flag, please click here.

Laurel Falls 10.29.2022

 There is no description of this hike, but if you would like to see a few pictures, click here.