Blue Blazes Trail

2.14.12  Nance Jo, Renee, George and Earl.  Happy Valentines Day!  Today's hike was a short one.  Blue Blazes is a short trail only 1.5 miles long in the form of a loop.  Therefore, to make some distance, we hiked it one way, then turned around and hiked it the other direction.  The weather was OK with a very slight amount of misting.  Parts of the trail were a little muddy and we all got our shoes dirty.  After the hike we went to Firehouse subs and regained the calories we had burned.  The length of the hike was three miles and I would rate it as easy.  For a few pictures, click here or on the Blue Blazes tab above.

Prentice Cooper

2.11.12  Pat, Nance Jo, George, McBob, Earl    Pictures contributed by Earl, George and McBob.  Cold!  When we started the hike it was 23F and snowing.  When the hike was over it had warmed all the way up to 24F.  George, McBob and Pat decided to do the approximately 10 mile loop while Nance Jo and Earl would take a shorter route out and back.  Believe it or not, there were other people out hiking and even some trail runners!  Everyone started at the Cumberland Trail parking lot.  Nance Jo and Earl went to the Indian Rockhouse and then onto Snooper's Rock.  Their total distance was 6.9 miles.  Once we got going everybody warmed up the hike went fine.  The only really cold time was the snack break at Snooper's Rock.  I would rate the hike as moderate.  For a few pictures, click here or on the Prentice Cooper tab above.

Heiss Mountain to Amphitheater

2.7.12  Renee, Pat, Nance Jo, George, McBob and Earl.  Pictures contributed by Earl, George and McBob.  Perfect day for a hike.  Cloudless blue sky and sweatshirt temperatures and in Feb!  Started off with Earl forgetting his drink.  Luckily there was a store near by and all was now well.  Initially we started off with the idea of only going about 1.5 miles to the bridge at Big Possum Creek, but good old George decided that maybe it would be a good idea to go to the Amphitheater.  This was agreed to by all.  Nance Jo and Earl followed the old road while the rest took the high trail to the theater and then down to the road where we all met.  From there we returned.  A stop at Micky Dee's provided much needed sustenance for all.  The total distance was approximately 5 miles and I would rate the route as moderate.  For some pictures, click here, or on the Heiss Mountain tab above.

Signal Point to ...

1.28.12  Nance Jo, George, Carl, McBob, Earl   We decided to hike from Signal Point to Mushroom Rock.  The plan was for George, Carl & McBob to go out ahead to Mushroom Rock while Nance Jo and Earl followed behind moving more slowly.  As it turned out the lead group took a wrong turn and went a couple of miles out of their way before rejoining the trail.  Therefore, Nance Jo and Earl were in the lead further along up the trail.  Earl and Nance Jo went towards Edwards point until they reached a rain swollen stream about 1/4 mile from the point.  About this time George and his group caught up and went across the stream while Nance Jo and Earl headed back.  Since George's group had gone astray, they decided to stop at Edwards Point and start back.  Their total distance was 7+ miles while Earl and Nance Jo went about 5.4 miles.  The day was perfect for hiking and there were many hikers, dogs and children on the early part of the trail.  We counted at least twelve people and the Signal Point parking area was overflowing.  I would rate this hike as moderate.  For a few pictures from Earl and Bob, click here or on the Signal Point tab above.

Hotwater Road to Rock Climber's Parking Lot

1.25.12   Nance Jo, Pat, George, McBob, Earl  Nice day for a hike considering it is the middle of January.  The temperature was in the mid 50s and no rain!  We met at the baseball field and carpooled up to the small parking area at Hotwater Road.  We intended to drop off a vehicle at the rock climber's parking lot, but for some reason the gate was locked.  Therefore, we left one vehicle at a nearby cemetary for when we came out of the gorge.  When we were in the gorge, Pat, George, and McBob went down the steep trail to Soddy Creek.  This added about 0.5 mile to their hike.  The water was high and roaring in the creek.  From there we hiked on out to the parking lot.  The total distance was about 3.5miles and I would rate the hike as moderate.  For some pictures click here or on the Hotwater tab above.