Rhododendron and Old Copper Road Trails 9.28.19

The planned hike was to be a moderate rated 9.7 mile hike, the Ocoee Loop Trail. As it turned out, it ended up being an easy 6 mile hike on the Ocoee Loop Trail. The Ocoee Loop trail is made up of the Rhododendron, Old Copper Road and Rock Creek trail. When I planned the hike earlier in the year, I didn't plan on the weather being 10 to 15 degrees higher than normal. Alas, you can't rely on the Old Farmer's Almanac when planning hikes. 4 hikers enjoyed the hike anyway. We departed the trailhead at Thunder Rock camp ground and hiked to the White Water Center where I picked up some maps and trail descriptions for future hikes I would like to take in the area. From there we proceeded on the Old Copper Road trail until we reached 3 miles on the outward bound portion of the hike. At that point we reversed our direction and headed back to the White Water Center where we had our snacks. We then continued back on the Rhododendron Trail to our starting point. The hike was great even with the elevated humidity. Not much was happening on the river around the White Water Center save for a few swimmers. TVA wasn't releasing any water upstream. The action on the river, rafting and kayaking, was all taking place below the power station at Thunder Rock, where they were releasing water.

If you would like to see some pictures of this hike, including maps, click here.  If you are trying to view pictures through the TTA website and having trouble, please go directly to the BLOG at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  Google Chrome is the preferred browser. 
Joke of the week...Why did Beethoven get rid of his chickens?  All they ever said was "Bach, Bach, Bach".

Covenant College, Bluff Trail & John Smartt Trail

We had 11 hikers on this really nice hike.  Several hikers commented that they really enjoyed this hike as it was a good length, not too difficult but still good for cardio.  The distance of this hike was 3.67 miles and took 2hrs, 14 minutes with a moving time of 1hr, 45 minutes.  I would rate this hike as easy, with the caveat there were gentle long climbs.  The weather couldn't have been better with absolutely clear skies.  We hiked on both the Bluff Trail and the John Smartt (Smart or Smith as it was different on various maps) trails.   There were some beautiful views as can be seen from the pictures.  Following the hike everyone ate at the "Cafe on the Corner" on top of Lookout Mountain.  If you would like to see some pictures, including map and altitude graph, 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.  The preferred browser is Google Chrome.
This weeks joke...I went to my girlfriends on Sunday.  I had made up some notes on three pieces of paper.  The notes read "Will", "You", "Me".  I left them in various places in her apartment.  I figured that would keep her busy while I watched the football game!

Bear Creek Loop 9.21.19

This saturday six of us participated in the Bear Creek Backcountry hike at Cloudland Canyon Park. The hike was about 8 miles and involved a crossing of Bear Creek twice - one time to get into Bear Creek backcountry-  and another time to get out of Bear Creek backcountry. 

Each creek crossing included about a 400 foot descent to the creek and a similar 400 foot ascent on the other side of the creek. This was the first time for most of us on this trail. I'd rate the hike as moderately strenuous.

Overlooks on the bluff weren't plentiful, but we did manage to find a nice spot for lunch for the six of us. This spot provided a good view of the deep chasm and the forests and overlooks on the other side. (One member of our group also spotted the waning moon about to set in the west). 

 After a pleasant lunch and a bit of conversation, we headed back to the Bear Creek descent and the subsequent climb out.

If you would like to see some really nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.  If you are viewing the pictures through the TTA website and having trouble, please go directly to the BLOG at www.sdctta.blogspot.com.  Google Chrome is the preferred browser.

Cloudland Canyon 9.17.19

There were 14 people willing to go out on a record hot day to be on the trails.  It was an easy trail and it was in the shade of the trees the whole time.  We had three new people with us.  If you would like to see a few nice 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.
This weeks joke...Today I left three notes scattered around the house for my girlfriend.  They say "Will", "You", "Me".  That will keep her busy while I watch football on TV.

Prentice Cooper 9.14.19

Today we had five hikers join in for a fairly strenuous hiking adventure at Prentice Cooper.  We hiked the Mullens Cove Loop (a 9.8 mile hike).

We began our hike at the same location as last saturday's hike ( the Cumberland Trail Trailhead), and began our travel from the Tower Drive parking lot in the westerly direction around the loop.

On our hike we passed the Hemlock Branch Campsite; the Snoopers Rock Tennessee River Gorge overlook (which yielded panoramic views of the Tennessee River Gorge), and the rock structure called the Indian Rockhouse.  

The hike took about 5 and a half hours of hiking time plus a lunch on a ledge on an overlook at Mullens Cove (great views). Temperatures were moderate.

If you would like to see some pictures taken on 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.  Google Chrome is the preferred browser.