Bird Mountain @ Frozen Head

 Saturday's hike was an approximate 8 mile grind up Bird Mountain.  I said the first time I hiked this trail, was "one and done".  Since making that statement, I have made the hike 5 more times.  I don't know why-there are no water falls or spectacular overlooks to reward the effort, but still I repeat the trek.  Our hike started at the Lookout Tower trailhead at the far end of Big Cove Campground.  The trail ascended gradually, rut relentlessly, up the south flank of Bird Mountain until we reached the top ridge.  Here we made a sharp left onto the easier stretch of Bird Mountain Trail and we continued along the top of the ridge toward Castle Rock.  This stretch is also part of the Cumberland Trail.  We continued on the trail to Castle Rock where we began our downward descent on what seemed like endless switchbacks.  I'm not sure which is the better way to tackle this trail-clockwise or counter clockwise.  The counter clockwise is a steady climb.  The clockwise is steep but quicker.  So if you like to get your pain over faster, I would recommend clockwise.  All being said, it was a great fall hike.  The weather was clear and cool-perfect for this difficult hike.  

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

Fairfield Glade 10.23.2022

 After a long 1.5 hour drive North, we reached our destination at Fairfield Glade.  There were 13 hikers on this 4.1 mile hike.  The maximum height was 2060 feet and minimum was 1795.  The time of the hike was about 2 hrs and 30 minutes.  We were lucky and the weather was perfect for a fall hike and the foliage was in full color.  This hike was rated as easy to moderate and covered all sorts of topography.  Following the hike we had lunch as a deli in Crossville and the three carloads of people started back to Soddy Daisy. 

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike including maps and altitude graph, click here.  

Huckleberry Knob & Hooper's Bald Trails

 Wow!  What a change in weather.  We were warned by the hike leader just in time that this hike was to be on the cold side!  We had a long drive, first to the Visitors Information Center, which we enjoyed.  The temperature was not so bad, nothing we couldn't handle.  It was a beautiful sunshiny day in the 40s.  We left the center and began climbing up the mountain.  The fall colors were incredible, probably the best I have ever seen.  We were so busy enjoying the colors that we failed to notice the temperature gauge falling and falling and falling.  Finally we were above the fall colors and looked at the temperature.  First down into the 30s then down into the 20s.  Finally the temperature settled at about 23 degrees! Brrrrrrrrrr!  The 22 of us took two hikes which were relatively easy except that the altitude was over 5000 feet.  The distance of the two hikes combined was just under three miles. You can see from the pictures that it was pretty dismal at the top of the two hikes, but there were some views and still interesting.  Following the hike we went to the Grain Bakery and had an excellent sandwich and drink.   

If you would like to see some pictures, altitude graphs and maps from this hike, click here or on the picture to the right.  

Cloudland Canyon, Bear Creek Trail

 This week we hiked at Cloudland Canyon, the Bear Creek trail, which had only a few hikers and campers.  The morning started cool, but warmed quickly as we descended to Bear Creek.  The creek, mostly dry, was easily crossed on the river rocks.  Ascending to the rim, scrambling up some rocks on the edge of a cliff, the forest delighted our eyes with brilliant yellows and stunning reds against a backdrop of green leaves yet to change their hue.  Short spur paths led to spectacular overlooks on the east rim.  The deep gorge separated us from people we could see on the west rim of the canyon.  We waved but didn't see anyone return our waves.  Hiking back to the trailhead, we logged about 9 miles with an elevation gain of 1371 feet.  

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

Conasauga Trail 10.11.2022

 It was a beautiful day with the 19 of us hiking first in N. Georgia for a one mile in and out relatively steep hike to the river.  We drove to the main trailhead in TN where we hiked along a more level grade along the river for a couple of miles.  Half of the group did a turn around back to the trail and the other half of our group continued on down river.  Betsy chose to hike another area in the region.  I hope she finds her way back.  Look for the trout in the water picture.  

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