Raccoon Mtn. 8.4.2020

There were three of us on this Raccoon Mtn. hike.  We hiked about four miles to the Raccoon Mtn. Storage Facility river overlook and return.  The hike was moderately strenuous with an altitude gain of over 1000 ft.  The weather was pleasant and the hike was let by Tammy.  If you would like to see a couple pictures taken during this hike, click here.  If you are trying to view the pictures through the TTA website and having trouble, please go directly to the BLOG at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.

Brady Mountain 7.18.2020

Three of us returned to Brady Mountain Trail to complete our traverse of this part of the Cumberland
Trail. Last week we did half of the trail starting at the route 68 trailhead to the peak, and this week we
did the section from the Jewett Road trailhead to the peak. This hike was not as pleasant as last week's hike. Last week we had temperatures in the 70's and low 80's with low humidity and cool breezes.
This week was just the opposite with temperatures reaching the upper 80's with high humidity and just a slight breeze at the summit.
We departed the trailhead around 10:30 am. The first half mile was a challenge because the trail is
poorly marked or traveled. We went off-trail about thee times. We completed the 3.4 mile 900 ft
elevation gain trek in about 4 hours. We completed our return to the trailhead in about 2 ½ hours.
Again we went off-trail 3 more times.
I would say this was a very good strenuous 9+ mile hike because of the ability to hike with a few
friends during the time of Covid-19. I recommend this hike as a fall or spring hike. The access road
(Jewett Rd) is not recommended for low clearance vehicles. Not much of a photo-op hike – no water
falls or overlooks on this section of the trail.
If you would like to see the trail map, click here.

Brady Mountain 7.11.2020

Four of us traveled separately from our meetup location (Soddy Daisy ballfields) to the Cumberland Trail Trailhead, where the trail crosses TN Hwy 68 a few miles southeast of Crossvile.  Our hike was 10.3 miles (to Brady Mountain Peak & return), with an elevation gain of 1745 feet.  The hike is rated as strenuous, mainly due to length.  Fortunately the weather was very pleasant, with temperatures in the 70's and a nice breeze most of the day.  We lunched at the hike turn around poit, Brady Mountain Peak.  If you would like to see some very nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.  If you are trying to view the photos through the TTA website and having trouble, please go directly to the BLOG at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  

Hughes Road to Leggett Road Overlook 7.4.2020

Four hikers celebrated the Independence Day trekking the Rock Creek Trail, beginning at Retro Hughes trailhead.  The trail was well blazed and easy to follow.  It began with a level path of pine needles but soon descended on dirt-packed switchbacks and rock steps to the bottom of the gorge.  We crossed Rock Creek on an amazingly well built bridge, surrounded by white blooming rhododendrons.  Passed a nice campsite along the creek,then gradually ascended along side the bluffs.  The two remaining bridges were in a  bit of disrepair.  After lunch we hiked 0.1 mile further to the Rock Creek overlook.  Other than being a quite hot and humid day, a long walk back and ascent on the the 2.5 miles, the return to Retro Hughes wasn't too bad.  I missed trail turns only twice, watching the path instead of the Blazes, bet we encountered our Copperhead friend on one of my missteps.  The trail was 10.8 miles with elevation gain of 1850 feet.
If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here.  If you are having trouble viewing the pictures through the TTA website, please go directly to the BLOG at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.

Sutton's Gulch 6.27.2020

Saturday's hike was a pretty good hike considering the high humidity and threat of rain. Fortunately the skies remained overcast and the rain at the park was limited to sprinkles only. We caravanned to the trailhead from Brown's Ferry exit on I-24 and arrived at the trailhead shortly after 9am. Originally we planned to do the hike from the upper trailhead to the low point of the trail but switched plans and hiked from the lower trailhead and hiked up and back. This turned out to be a better plan. However, because of the change in direction, and our rapid ascent, we ended up with an 8+ mile hike instead of the 5 miles I originally planned. We arrived at Hemlock Falls around 11am and would have returned to the trailhead, but a vote was taken to continue to Cherokee Falls and the top of the canyon. I would have voted not to go to the top if it were not for the fact the temperature was held down because of the overcast conditions. Hiking during Covid-19 cautions continues to present challenges to maintain social distancing and mask wearing. The park was pretty much filled and I would estimate 90% of the hikers on the trail did not wear masks when in close proximity with other hikers. Our party did wear our masks when approaching others on the trail. Cloudland Canyon is always a good hike because of the natural beauty of the park and the well maintained trails.
If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here. If you are trying to view the pictures through the TTA website and having trouble, please go directly to the website at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.