John Muir Trail 7.1.2023

 Saturday’s hike was a hot one! We started at the end of the road that leads to the Apalachia Powerhouse across the Hiwassee River. The hike began along the road, with fishermen in the river and on the shore, catching trout. At Towee Creek, the trail headed into the forest, up the bluffs and through the overgrown weeds. After a couple of miles the path exited the bluffs, crossed the road and entered a much better maintained trail along the river. There were Canada geese, deer and even an eagle flying nearby. Festive colored rafts soon replaced fishermen, as TVA released water from the powerhouse. Protected by our canine companion, Dewey, the hike was completed at Childer’s Creek at about the 6 mile mark.

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

I'm pining for a good tree pun.  I wish they were more poplar.  

Ocoe 6.27.2023

 I do not have a write up for this hike, but looking at the photographs, it looks like the weather was just about perfect so think the hikers had a great hike.  

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

First restaurant opens on the moon.  

Great Food

No atmosphere

Gahuti Trail 6.24.2023

 Four hikers went on the Gahuti Trail hike aat Fort Mountain State Park.  We hiked 9 miles.  The weather was perfect.  The hikers were Jim Barrett, Highland Rim, Jennifer Davis (Murfreesboro Chapter), Tom McElhone and Joan Hartvigsen, both from Scenic City.  

If you would like to see some great pictures, click here.  

What's the difference between a Hippo and a Zippo?

A hippo weighs a thousand pounds, a zippo is a little lighter.  

Covenant College Runners Course 6.20.2023

 This 4.5 mile hike was very interesting.  I had never been on this particular trail.  I would rate it as easy.  Eight of us headed off under an overcast and threatening sky.  The weather report had told us that no rain was expected until after lunch.  Part of this hike was on old dirt roads and part was on true narrow trails.  The forest was lush and very green.  We meandered around intercepting multiple other trails, (polite way of saying you need a map) and eventually reach an agreeable turnaround point.  I think everyone enjoyed this hike and not a drop of rain!

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

North Chickamauga Creek 6.18.2023

 We hiked about 9 miles up and down the North Chickamauga Creek and Cooper Creek gorges.  An overlook at the top of the bluff revealed the North Chick creek far below.  We then followed the trail down the side of the gorge to a rocky path along the edge of Cooper Creek.  The weeds closed in around the trail with abundant poison ivy and stinging nettles scratching our legs.  The creek was filled with hugh boulders but little water, makin the creek crossing easy with few slick rocks.  

A hundred feet more and we arrived at Stevenson's camp, our lunch destination and turn around point.  The falls at the camp was little more than a sprinkle.  Three young men hiking along the trail with their music and hooting and hollering (we heard them before we saw them), told us about the "bathtub" of water just to the left of the waterfall - a good place to cool off on a hot day.  glad to hear some other people were enjoying the trail, too.

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