Benton Falls Slick Loop Trail 8.29.2023

      After closely following the weather forecast for Benton Falls, we decided there was a window of opportunity for making this hike.  Eleven hikers made the hike Tuesday and were rewarded with a falls that was spectacular due to the overnight rains.  The trail was in pretty good condition and the temperature and humidity cooperated so  no one seemed to be overtaxed physically.  The hike to the falls was easy, except for a short steep rocky descent to the falls and climb out.  We then took the Slickrock trail to the Gazebo Overlook, where we had our snacks and enjoyed the view. After the short break, we continued back to the trailhead parking lot.  The Slickrock portion of the hike seemed a bit more of a challenge due to the long stretch of trail that seemed to rise for most of the trail.

 This was a fairly easy almost 5 mile hike with a 544 foot elevation gain. 

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

Did you know that Spock had three ears?  He was exploring "New Frontiers".  

Durham Mines 8.22.2023

 I think everyone was a little anxious about this hike.  The weather forecast was for 96 with plenty of humidity.  There were sixteen of us on the 4.8 mile hike which turned out to be really exceptional.  We hiked on unexplored, at least to us, trails on the newly opened Durham Mine property which is now in the hands of Lulu Lake.  Our hike leader took us expertly through the zig zag trails.  It turned out that we were not so hot after all.  We were in the shade of trees throughout the hike and we took ample rest and drink stops so that everyone was able to enjoy this hike.  

If you would like to see a few photos taken during this hike, click here.  

Moonshine Trails 8.19.2023

 

     I thought Saturday's Moonshine Trails Hike was going to be an uncomfortable 9+ mile sauna hike. However, it turned out to be a rather comfortable easy hike.  The humidity was fairly low so the 80+ degree weather was not a problem.  We began our hike at the Rock Creek Fellowship Church parking lot and proceeded to the trailhead about .4 miles on Lula Lake Road.  We did the Firewater loop first and proceeded along the Chattanooga Connector Trail and did the White Lightening loop next.  Around 11am bike riders began sharing the trail with us.  The hike was finished by around 1pm.  As I said, it was a pleasant 9+ mile easy hike.

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

Old Stone Fort 8.12.2023

 Eight hikers attempted to hike all seven miles of trails at Old Stone Fort State Park in Manchester on August 12, 2023.  The hikers were Tom McElhone, John Prescott, Sarah Sandefur, Kendrick Mills, Sara Pollard, Cindy Watson, Margie Schumacher and Joan Hartvigsen.    The weather was overcast and very humid.  The waterfalls on the Duck River were roaring and beautiful.  When we began the steep climb up the Back Bone Trail we encountered many large downed trees blocking the trail.  We continued negotiating climbing over, under and through large blow down trees as we descended Back Bone Trail and were hiking along the very narrow, rooty, rocky section of the Back Bone  trail along the Little Duck River.  The  large blow downed trees proved impossible to get around and complete the loop.   We retraced our steps and forded the Little Duck River to access  the Chumbley Woods Trail.  This trail also was blocked by numerous large blow downed trees. As we ascended the steep Chumbley Woods Trail we climbed over many large trees blocking the trail.  Halfway up the steep trail we met a park employee with a chain saw clearing the trails of downed trees.  We finally made it to the Chumbley Woods Trailhead parking lot on Powers Bridge Road.  Margie Schumacher called her husband to ask him to meet us at the Chumbley Woods Trailhead parking lot on Powers Bridge Road.  Ray Schumacher made two trips to ferry us back to the Museum parking lot in the main part of the park off Hwy 41.  We decided to “call it a day” and not attempt to hike the Garrison Road Trail and Nature Trail.  These trails would also probably be blocked by down trees.  About an hour after we ended our hike severe thunderstorms blew through the Park.   All eight hikers got out safely.

 Reported by Joan Hartvigsen

If you would like to see a few photos from this hike, click here.  

Little Cedar Mountain 8.8.2023

 As you can see from the photos, it was quite foggy as we started this 3.8 mile hike.  Our hike leader knew exactly where we were going so the fog was no problem.  The fog quickly cleared up and we had a very nice although very humid hike.  We took a short snack break where we could see through the trees and see Nickajack Lake.  Following the snack we continued through the very lush and green forest.  It was slippery at times as everything was damp.  A very good hike.  This hike took just under 3 hours.  

If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike, including map and altitude graph, click here.  

I think that common sense is the least common of the senses.