Audubon Mountain

1-18-12  Pat, Renee, Nance Jo, George, McBob, Earl  This is always a good hike.  We decided to park at the top of the trail, hike down to the cabin, eat our snack and then hike back.  This would make it a 5.4 mile hike.  It was a little cool when we started, somewhere in the mid thirties.  The hike down was a little difficult as the trail was covered with leaves making it difficult to follow.  The blazings were quite far apart and we got off the trail several times.  Thanks to George, we always found our way back to the trail.  Near the bottom, we followed a set of white blazes that were not the right ones and ended up following an old road until we realized that we weren't on track.  This is when we did what all good hikers do when they aren't sure where they are.  We sat down and had a snack!  We quickly found our way back to the correct trail and continued to the cabin.  We then turned around and began the arduous hike back up the mountain.  All went well though until it was time to leave.  George's truck was stuck in the mud.  Thankfully, Renee lived only a few tenths of a mile away and she had a TRACTOR!  With the help of the tractor we were able to get George's truck out in short order and everyone went on their way.  I would rate this hike as moderate with a total distance of 5.8 miles.  If you would like to view a couple of pictures, click here or on the Audubon Mountain tab above. 

Piney Ridge

1.14.12  McBob, Tony, Carl, Bill, Renee, Penny, Mary, Caro, Larry, Tom and George.  I was not with them on this hike, but from the pictures it looks like they had a good time.  Obviously, there was light snow on the ground and from their clothing it looked like it was pretty cold.  I think all had a good time on this 8 mile hike.  For a few pictures, click on the Piney River tab up above. 

Rock Creek Loop

1.14.12  Nance Jo, Earl  A little cold, low 40s, but otherwise a beautiful day for a hike.  We did the Rock Creek Loop which is always a good hike.  Rock Creek was roaring with lots of water and very cold.  The Rock Creek Overlook is especially pretty this time of year as it is not blocked by so many trees.  In fact, someone has cut down the trees that used to block the view.  Unfortunately they left some ugly stumps where the trees used to be.  Near the end of the hike we spotted a lone hiker up on the side of the mountain where there is not a trail.  We never saw him again, but wonder what he was doing up there.  At the end of the hike we met Zack and Jessica who are new to the Chattanooga area.  They were carrying there two young children.  We talked about local trails and invited them to join us sometime.  Total distance for this hike was 4.3 miles and I would rate it as moderate.  For a few pictures of the hike, click here or on the Rock Creek Loop tab up above.

Leggett Road to Rock Creek

1.7.12  Nance Jo, Earl  Even though it was forecast for rain, we met at the lower Leggett Road parking lot.  Nance Jo and Earl were scheduled for the hike to Rock Creek and return.  The rest of the group of nine were going to go past Rock Creek on to Retro Hughs Road where there was a car staged.  The rain began shortly after beginning the hike and continued off and on throughout.  We were prepared and the rain really didn't cause us much difficulty except to slow us down slightly.  We had a good time and ate our snack next to Rock Creek.  This was an easy hike of 2.4 miles.  To see a few pictures, click here or on the Leggett Road tab above. 

Hotwater Road (Cumberland Trail)

1.6.12  Nance Jo, Earl  Today was scheduled to be a workday on the Cumberland Trail.  We arrived early before Tony Hook and his gang of workers, so we decided to go ahead and do some blazing with the new plastic markers.  It was a fantastic day for hiking with the temperature in the upper 50s.  We marked the trail in both directions going about 2.4 miles in before we ran low on markers.  We then hiked out for a total of 4.8 miles.  Tony Hook's crew has built a boardwalk over one of the wetter sections of the trail.  The boardwalk is not quite finished, but will be next time the crew goes out.  This will be in about one week.  For a few pictures, click here or on the Hotwater Road tab above.