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.

Durham Street Mines 6.13.2023

 Great day for a an easy hike.  Mostly clear skies with temperatures in the 70's and low humidity.  Our hike leader meandered us around the many trails in this area until most of us were completely lost.  If you decide to hike here, a map is REQUIRED or you may never come out!  There are many many intersecting trails and loops.  This area was once used for coal mining.  There mounds of slag everywhere creating there own hills and valleys.  Thank to the Lula Lake Preserve this area is now protected for the hikers and bikers.  Our hike went for 5.2 miles  and lasted for 3.5 hours for the 12 hikers.  Following the hike most of us went to the Purple Daisy and had a very nice lunch.  

If you would like to see a few pictures including maps and altitude graph, click here.  

Remember, if you get locked out, talk to your lock, communication is the key!

Stringer's Ridge 6.6.2023

 This was the first hike since we have changed our meetup time to 7:30A.  We were a little groggy but for the most part ready to go.  The hike leader got all 14 of us organized and we set off for this 4.2 mile hike.  We wandered around and around and up and down on this easy/moderate hike.  Most of us were seriously lost.  It was a very nice day for a hike with everything very nice and green.  Our only downer was that we had to pass by a beautiful fox that was dieing.  Very sad and everyone was rather somber.  Eventually we came out of our depression and the chatter resummed for the balance of this 2 hr and 44 minute hike.  

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

A minute varies depending on which side of the bathroom door you're on.  

Reflection Riding Cleanup 6.3.2023

 This time is a little different.  Since we often hike through Reflection Riding, it was time for payment.  A group of us met at one of the lesser used trailheads at Reflection Riding at 9:00A to start the clean.  We used mostly rakes an loppers.  We moved steadily along the completely covered trail and made really good progress. The work consisted mostly of raking and clearing the path.  We worked until about 12:30 when we reached a park road which was our finishing point.  We cleared about a mile of trail and afterward it looked really good. Job well done and a special thanks to Randy for organizing it.   

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this cleanup, click here.