Cherokee Rec. Area 2.5.19

What a delightful hike Trish chose for us this time.  While the hike was longer than usual, 6.9 miles, it was very flat as it ran right next to the Hiwassee River.  I would rate this hike as easy even though it was a little long and did contain a couple areas where some finesse was necessary to cross some rocks without crashing into the river.  The weather was a little overcast as we started out, but we ended with sun and a temperature of 68 F. in February!  We started at the Childer's Creek Parking Area and went a little beyond the Big Bend Parking area.  The time there took us 2.0 hours, but the return took us only 1.25 hours as some insane person decided we need further exercise and sped everyone up.  Our max speed was therefore a quite fast 4.5 MPH, with an overall average of 2.5 MPH.  This was a great hike and I look forward to continuing this trail in the future.  If you would like to see a bunch of pictures, including maps and altitude graph,  click here.   If you are trying to view these pictures through the TTA website, and having problems, please go directly to the blog at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  The preferred browser for this blog is Google Chrome.

Retro Hughs to Rock Creek 2.2.19

This was a great day for a hike.  The weather was perfect, the trail in good shape and six hearty hikers showed up to enjoy the trek.  We departed the Retro Hughes trailhead of the Rock Creek Gorge Section of the Cumberland Trail at approximately 9am.  Like I said the weather was perfect – in the low 40's with the sun shining.  We shared the trail with a group of trail runners, who were holding a run on the trail.  The first part of the trail is a gentle decline that passes through a pine forest and crosses several creek crossings.  There was evidence of the cold weather we had just passed through as evidenced by the icicle lined bluffs and water falls.  About 2 miles into the hike, we began the steep decent to the Rock Creek bridge.  The decent, though steep, was tempered by numerous switchbacks.  We had our snacks at the bridge and then departed for our cardio workout on the accent out of the gorge.  We finished the hike a little past 12 and left to enjoy the rest of the day.  It was a 5+ mile moderate hike.
If you would like to see some really interesting pictures, click here.  If you are viewing the pictures through the TTA website and having trouble, please go directly to the blogsite at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  Google Chrome is the prefered browser. 

Flipper Bend 1.26.19

We had a very good hike today at Flippers Bend. Flippers Bend is a moderately strenuous hike. We had eight hikers today (including four visitors that we hope will be back).

The weather was very nice - clear and calm with temperatures starting in the 20's - but into the 40's by lunch time. The hike distance was 9.3 miles and we maintained a good pace throughout the day.

About a third of the way through the hike we stopped at the powerline overlook which afforded good views of the Tennessee river valley in the Soddy area. Chickamauga Lake and Sequoyah Nuclear Plant were also easily seen from this point.

After about 6 miles of hiking we stopped at the "big rock" for lunch. The "big rock" is a large double boulder sitting by itself in the middle of the woods. After our lunch we hiked the remaining three (plus) miles back to our cars.

If you would like to see some pictures, click here.  If you are using the TTA website to view the pictures and are having trouble, please go directly to the blogsite at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  Google Chrome is the prefered browser.  

Gahuti Trail 1.22.19

After many days of clouds and rain, Tuesday, January 22nd dawned clear and bright, a "you can see forever" kind of day. Though very cold, 12 hearty souls met in East Ridge to travel down to Ft. Mountain State Park. This was a first visit for many of us and we began with a short hike out to the West Rim Overlook where we were greeted with an outstanding 280 degree view out to the west, south and north. This was followed by a short hike up to the fire tower and prehistoric wall. After this warm-up, we went down to the Cool Springs Overlook and the beginning of the Gahuti Loop Trail. The idea was that it would be an easy hike since we were hiking down the mountain the whole way. Somehow my mind blocked out the fact that we had to hike up and down multiple ridges in the process. Our intrepid flock took it all with good humor and we particularly enjoyed the Rhododendron Tunnel along the creek. We came out near the entrance gate and walked up to the visitors' center so we could wait in warmth for the drivers to go back up for the cars. Our lunch bunch ate in a small cafeteria in Chatsworth that was surprisingly excellent. 
If you would like to see some very nice pictures, click here.  If you are trying to view the pictures through the TTA site and having trouble please go directly to the blogsite.  www.sdctta.blogspot.com.

Lookout Mtn. Bluff Trail 1.15.19

This was one of our colder hikes.  All 23 hikers were prepared for a cold day.  The last time we hiked this trail the temperature was about the same but the wind was really blowing making it a tough hike.  This time at least there wasn't much wind.  We shuttled cars so that we wouldn't have to do an out-and -back.  We hiked towards Sunset Rock then climbed up to the parking lot.  We had originally wanted to hike all the way to Point Park, but because of the Gov't shutdown, the park would not be open.  The distance of this hike was 3.36 miles with a total time of 2 hours and 43 minutes.  The average speed was a pretty good 2.2  MPH.  If you would like to see a bunch of pictures, click here.  As usual there are a couple of maps and an altitude chart.  The prefered browser is Google Chrome.  If you are viewing the Blog through the TTN website and are having difficulties seeing the pictures, please go directly to the website at, www.sdctta.blogspot.com.