Saturday found our small group of hikers traversing from Little Soddy creek trailhead on Hotwater road to Big Soddy creek on Back valley road.  The walk was 8 miles with an elevation gain of 1076 feet.  We took turns slipping on the wet rocks from an overnight rain.  It was really humid!  An overgrown section of the trail challenged our trail finding – we “imagined” our way through the wet weeds.  Deep creek and Big Soddy creek held little water.  We crossed over BSC on dry rocks. 

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

Sherwood Forest, 6.21.2022

 There were only 9 of us on this beautiful hike.  We easily found our way to Sherwood Forest, looking all the way for Friar Tuck, but alas, no friar.   All of us enjoyed this loop hike around and through the forest.  It was really a nice day for this hike.  We had feared that it might be too hot, but it was only 76 when we started the hike and it warmed up to 83 during the hike.  Of course we were in the shade the whole time and up in the mountains.  I think everyone enjoyed the Crow Creek Arch which you can see in the pictures.  Note that we later went to another arch, Sewanee Natural Bridge, near Sewanee, TN.  There you can see pictures of us from above the bridge and again with everyone standing on the bridge from a distance. The distance of the hike was three miles and it took us just about two hours.  After the hike we all tried to go to the Mountain Goat Café, but it was closed so we went to Papa Ron's and had a very nice lunch.   

If you would like to see a bunch of photos taken during this hike, including maps and altitude graph, click here.  

South Cumberland State Park 6.11.2022

 Six hikers enjoyed nice weather with comfortable temperatures and a good hike at South Cumberland State Park.  After the group assembled at the Stone Door Ranger Station, we started with the Laurel Falls Trail, a short loop of less than a half mile with a beautiful waterfall.  We then hiked the Laurel Trail, a mostly flat trail which winds through the woods.  There were some flame azaleas still in bloom to add some color to the scenery. 

At the end of the Laurel Trail we took the Greeter Trail out a short distance to Alum Gap Overlook where we took a short break and enjoyed the view.  Many buzzards were riding the air currents here and at the other overlooks we visited. Back up the Greeter Trail, we reached the next leg of our hike – Big Creek Rim Trail.

The Rim Trail has several great overlooks, and we had a nice long lunch at the first one.  This trail is also relatively flat, and the hikers did not seem to get too worn out.  Arriving at the Stone Door Trail, we explored the nice vistas there and peered down the Stone Door, deciding to save going down for another trip.  A short mile from there back to the trailhead and parking area and the five hour hike came to an end.  Folks seemed to have enjoyed the hike and had good conversation as well.

If you would like to see a couple of pictures taken during this hike, click here.

Laurel Falls Loop 6.11.2022

Six hikers enjoyed nice weather with comfortable temperatures and a good hike at South Cumberland State Park.  After the group assembled at the Stone Door Ranger Station, we started with the Laurel Falls Trail, a short loop of less than a half mile with a beautiful waterfall.  We then hiked the Laurel Trail, a mostly flat trail which winds through the woods.  There were some flame azaleas still in bloom to add some color to the scenery. 

At the end of the Laurel Trail we took the Greeter Trail out a short distance to Alum Gap Overlook where we took a short break and enjoyed the view.  Many buzzards were riding the air currents here and at the other overlooks we visited. Back up the Greeter Trail, we reached the next leg of our hike – Big Creek Rim Trail.

The Rim Trail has several great overlooks, and we had a nice long lunch at the first one.  This trail is also relatively flat, and the hikers did not seem to get too worn out.  Arriving at the Stone Door Trail, we explored the nice vistas there and peered down the Stone Door, deciding to save going down for another trip.  A short mile from there back to the trailhead and parking area and the five hour hike came to an end.  Folks seemed to have enjoyed the hike and had good conversation as well.

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

Fiery Gizzard and Grundy Lakes. 6.14.2022

 Beautiful hike on this day.  Nine of us braved the warm weather on this beautiful day.  According to the gauge on my camera,  the temps ranged from low 80's to mid 80's.  No so bad, especially in the shade.  The humidity was rather brutal though.  Do to schedule changes, we had a couple of mix-ups on the meeting place.  Once we all got together, we set off on a beautiful hike.  Joan, as usual, did a bang up job leading us on the first hike of about 2.5 miles.  Following along Big Fiery Creek, we gazed at numerous small water falls.  Each different and beautiful.  The hike took about two hours.  When we returned to the parking area we had our lunches at the parking lot in the shade.  We then loaded up and moved a few miles to Grady Lakes where we followed the Lone Rock trail around the lake.  We never did find the "Lone Rock".  The lake is beautiful and and crystal clear.  This hike was 1.2 miles and lasted about 42 minutes.  This hike was also very nice.  Following this hike, some of the hikers took a quick dip in the lake to refresh themselves. 

If you would like to see some photos, including an altitude graph and maps, taken during this hike, including a few taken around Grundy Lakes, click here.