I do not have a write up for this hike, but from the pictures and the beautiful weather, I think everyone had a very nice time. This was a 6-7 mile hike rated as moderate. There were several waterfalls along the way.
If you would like to see a few pictures taken during this hike click here.
For it being near the end of April, it was cold. The temperature at the beginning of the hike was in the mid 40's and overcast. Early on in the hike it began to clear up and the rest of the hike was enjoyed in near perfect hiking weather. This was a joint hike with the Highland Rim Chapter and thank goodness our hike leader (from Highland Rim) new where she was going. She took us past some of the most amazing waterfalls I have yet to see. The sun was now out and the 18 hikers really enjoyed seeing the splendid falls. We hiked for 5.7 miles and took frequent stops to view the wildflowers and falls. Then near the end of the hike and near a beautiful falls we took our snack and lunch stop. Since we made so many long stops to view the falls and flowers, this hike to an extraordinarily long time of nearly 5 hours! Since all of us had not brought lunch, we attempted to pick up some to go meals but the first two places we tried were closed. Finally we succumbed to McDonalds and grabbed quick burgers. I think we all enjoyed this hike and we might have even acquired two new members.
If you would like to see a bunch of photos taken during this hike including maps and altitude graphs, click here.
Following the Gibb's Gardens outing most of the club proceeded to Amicoloa for a hike on this trail. By now the sun was out and the weather was perfect. As you can see from the pictures everyone was enjoying a perfect day on this trail.
If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, click here.
Our hike leader on this day had been worrying all week about the weather for this get together at Gibb's Gardens. During the drive to the gardens it did rain, but once we arrived it was merely overcast and not a drop of rain did we see. Gibb's Gardens was started around 1980 and now encompasses about 300 acres. There are well manicured pathways leading through Japanese gardens and many ponds with lilies. The plants in bloom were absolutely stunning. Following the gardens, a hike was undertaken at Amicolola Trail.
If you would like to see some of the flower pictures taken on this outing click here.
First off, I am ashamed to say, I belong to a hiking club that consists of a bunch of wimps. Yep, you heard me right, wimps. The morning of the hike there was a 36% chance of rain and only 5 hikers showed up and this was a joint hike with the Highland Rim Chapter. The next time the is chance of rain and the regulars don't show, I going to start taking some very unflattering pictures of those unnamed individuals and posting said pictures in the Blog. So there, haw.
The five of us enjoyed an hours drive into Alabama to Tullahoma. It was an overcast drive with some rainy spells. We did arrive a little late, but the 5 hikers from Highland Rim were ready. We took off on a 5.3 mile hike that lasted 4 hrs. and 17 minutes. This hike was rated as moderate. This it definitely was. There were lots of ups and downs and by the end of the hike I was completely bushed. If you look at the map, you will see were were very glad we had a leader that new their way around. We did get a couple of short spells of a little rain. Being the rough and tough blogger that I am I didn't even put my rain coat on! This was an exception wildflower hike with lots of stops to view and identify the flowers. Also, It seemed as if there were water falls around every corner. Too many to name! Joan, our hike leader did an exceptional job in keeping us from getting lost as there were lots of intersections. Thank you Joan! This was an exception hike with the final couple of miles really taking their toll on my legs.
Following the hike we stopped at a local BBQ spot called Piggy's and had a great lunch. It was an excellent day even though it was overcast most of the time.
If you would like to see some pictures, an altitude graph and maps, click here.