Reflection Riding Cleanup 6.3.2023

 This time is a little different.  Since we often hike through Reflection Riding, it was time for payment.  A group of us met at one of the lesser used trailheads at Reflection Riding at 9:00A to start the clean.  We used mostly rakes an loppers.  We moved steadily along the completely covered trail and made really good progress. The work consisted mostly of raking and clearing the path.  We worked until about 12:30 when we reached a park road which was our finishing point.  We cleared about a mile of trail and afterward it looked really good. Job well done and a special thanks to Randy for organizing it.   

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

Pogue Creek Overlook

  Memorial Day weekend and our Pogue Creek Overlook and Upper Canyon trail made for a memorable hike.  The weather was perfect – started out in the mid 60's and ended in the low 70's.  We had mostly clear skies and gentle breezes on the trail.  This trail is well maintained and the scenery along the trail made for a  remarkably beautiful landscape.  Fantastic views from the overlooks, interesting rocky bluffs that nature, over the eons, had sculpted using its powers of erosion, and plenty of blossoming flora offered good photo ops.     Two hikers left Soddy Daisy at 8:30 on our 2 hour and 15 minute drive.  We met up with a fellow hiker from our Eastern Tennessee Chapter.  Interesting note – when we arrived at the trailhead, there was a new addition to the trailhead – a two station solar powered electric vehicle charging station has been installed.  I'm not sure if it is active yet, but it appears the park system is planning to be ready to provide service for our EV hikers. \     We departed on the trail at 11:00 am and proceeded to Mesa Top Overlook 3 miles into the hike.  Along the way we traveled on the western side of the Loop Trail and did the eastern side on the return.  We passed through several rock houses and Killdeer Arch.  We had snacks on the overlook – I must say the view of the valley below was spectacular.  The mountain laurel and magnolia trees were in bloom.  We came across a few blueberry bushes that yielded a few berries.     We finished the hike around 5pm.  It was a 6+ mile hike with a 1400' elevation gain.  It is rated as moderate to strenuous.   I think this rating is fair because of the elevation gain and distance.  However, because the trail is very well maintained I might drop the strenuous rating and just rate it moderate.

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

Hunt Cemetery Loop 5.30.2023

Eleven Scenic City hikers made it out to the Chickamauga Battlefield on a clear brisk morning.  We hiked the less traveled southern section of the park to Hunt Cemetery.  The family were occupants of the land well before the Civil War, and the establishment of the National Park in the 1890s.  It was a sobering occasion on this Memorial Day weekend to reflect on the past and celebrate our freedom to walk upon such hallowed ground.  The total mileage covered was about four miles and took about 2 hrs and 15 minutes.  The hike was originally scheduled for 3 miles, but upon finishing the 3 miles we decided to add an additional 1 mile by taking a nearby short out and back trail.  Following the hike some of the hikers had lunch at the Park Place Restaurant in Ft. Oglethorpe.  

If you would like to see a few pictures and a couple of maps of this hike, click here.  

My biggest fear about becoming a Zombie is all the walking!

I thought growing old would take longer!

Cloudland Canyon West Rim 5.23.2023

 Summer is almost here, but we caught a wonderfully cool day for a great hike at Cloudland Canyon State Park.  Sixteen hikers attended, most from Scenic City, but a few from other TTA chapters (Nashville and Murfreesboro). We sauntered through the woods, seeing plants (green stuff), flowers (colorful stuff) but no wildlife (scary stuff).  Several wonderful views and a cool breeze made for a very nice hike.  The distance of this hike was 5.1 miles and it took us 4 hrs and 6 minutes.  

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

I wonder what the part of my brain that used to store phone numbers is doing now?  

Spring Outing 5.2023

 Can you believe it, 28 members showed up for this multiple day outing.  The group stayed at the Kanuga Inn in Hendersonville, NC.  There were hikes everyday for those up to it.  The weather cooperated and as you can see, there were lots of waterfalls.  

If you would like to see a whole bunch of excellent photos taken during this outing, click here.