Elsie Holms Nature Park 8.23.2022

 We had 19 hikers on this hike.  It had been sometime since we had been to the nature center and many new members had never hiked there before.  At first we took the outer loop and following that and a short rest, we decided to take one of the inner loops.  All together this hike took about 2 hours and covered 2.8 miles.  There were a couple of short uphills that had us panting but otherwise the hike was easy.  We did see three Eastern Box Turtles, each with a different design on their backs.  Following the hike, we had lunch at Millers Ale house at which we had a very nice time.  

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

North Chickamauga Creek

 Saturday we hiked the North Chickamauga Creek starting at the Barker Camp trailhead.  We descended through a quiet pine forest, changing after a mile to a rocky ATV road.  Just after a bend in the trail, we arrived at a huge rock amphitheater.  Each hiker chose their "best" crossing over the boulders to the metal bridge spanning over Cain Creek.  Next the trail, overgrown in a few places, went up and down the ridge and occasionally to the cascades of the North Chickamauga Creek.  It was slow going over the rough trail.  Some of the hikers stopped for lunch at a rocky overhang.  A few of us pressed on to a small waterfall.  Then the attack of the yellow jackets occurred.  We quickly retreated as the wasps chased and stung us.  A safe distance from the mean bugs, we treated our wounds and shared Benadryl.  Rejoining the rest of our group, we retraced our steps to the trailhead.  A more rugged hike than previously remembered, we logged 9.8miles with an elevation gain of 2067 feet.  

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

CCT 8.16.2022

 This hike was probably the finest example of wandering around in the woods that I have experienced.  If you look at the trail map (see pictures), you will see this was no simple loop or out and back.  There were eleven of us on the 4 hour, 6.8 mile hike.  There were some ups and downs, but for the most part I would consider this hike easy except for the distance.  Everyone had a good time as evidenced by the constant chatter. The only sign of rebellion was when we were late stopping for our snack.  If you look at the pictures, you will see that one of the highlights of this hike was the spotting of Spider Lilies.  What they were doing out here is anyone's guess.  The hike was almost all in the shade with temperatures in the low to mid 80's.  Following the hike, we had lunch at a little bit unconventional drinking establishment (Canopy Coffee and Wine Bar) located next to the Market on the Mountain where we ordered our lunch.   This was a very successful hike!

If you would like to see some pictures, maps and an altitude graph, click here.  

How do crazy hikers get out of the woods?                      They take the psychopath.  

 Nine happy-go-lucky hikers set out on this 5.37 mile hike.  I say happy-go-lucky as there was chatter and laughter the whole hike.  This hike lasted just about 3 hours with one stop for a snack.  When we reached my intended destination, it was decided that we should go a little further so I added 1/2 mile to the hike.  The weather cooperated fully on this hike which was mostly under the the canopy created by the trees.  This shade made it much more comfortable for a beautiful hike.  Nothing spectacular, just a green lush forest.  Following this hike we had dinner at the Purple Daisy in St. Elmo.  A good time was had by all.   

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike including an altitude graph, click here.

Tough hiker joke.  One hiker to another, "I didn't know you had six toes" Second hiker "Not a toe, it a blister".  

Prentice Cooper 8.7.2022

 Seven hikers were raring to go and see the sights at Prentice Cooper on Saturday.  Starting at the main trailhead, the first stop was down the stone steps to the Indian Rock House.;  We crossed numerous wet weather streams easily over the rocks and one wooden bridge missing a few boards and saw one small waterfall.  There were lots of spiders and webs!  The trail took us to another small stone door, around and under a tree, then to our destination at Lawson's Rock - a spectacular overlook of the TN river and gorge.  It was a great lunch spot though by then it was getting rather warm in the sunshine.  Refreshed by the view and refueled, we retraced our steps back to the trailhead.  The hike was so wonderful, we somehow stretched out the mileage to 7.2 miles with a hard - earned elevation gain of 1444 feet.  Good job, hikers!

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