Sewanee Perimeter Trail

Our hike from Roakes Cove Road to the Forestry Cabin on the Perimeter Trail did not have a promisisng start.  We met next to the LaQuinta off I-24 with mists and fog rolling into the area.  The temperatures were in the high 30s with reports of possible freezing fog.  Since we were meeting friends from other Tennessee Trail chapters, we continued with the knowledge we would drive in fog for a while.  When our group arrived at the top of the plateau, the fog suddenly lifted to beautiful blue sunny skies.  We rendezvoused with our 8 friends from the other chapters at Green’s View making us a total of 20 hikers.  After a quick look at the view, we consolidated into 5 vehicles due to the limited parking at the trailhead.  After a short shuttle we arrived at the trailhead and started our hike on the Perimeter Trail to the cabin.  The trail was dry for the most part with only a few muddy spots.  It was not exactly flat but had rolling ups and downs to add variety.  About a third of the way we took a short spur to KA Point, where the view was spectacular, and no fog here.  We continued to the cabin where we saw our third view of the day.  The cabin was ready for visitors with picnic tables, a porch swing and other wooden chairs for us to use as we relaxed, chatted and snacked.  There was also an outhouse that did not go to waste.  We returned to our cars by the same trail and said good bye to our friends from the other chapters.  Nine of  us then stopped for lunch at Mountain Goat deli before driving home.

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

I sued the airline for losing my luggage.  I lost my case! 

Lookout Mtn. 1.16.2024

 I don't have an official report on this hike, but from the pictures, it was overcast and cold.  I guess nobody fell down as I haven't heard anything but it does look like it was an interesting hike.  

If you would like to see some pictures taken during this hike, put on a coat and click here.  

I tried calling the Tinnitus help line.  No answer, just kept ringing.  

South Rim, Salvage Gulf 1.13.2024

 We were greeted on our hike with a balmy 25 degree temperature.  Our fearless hiking leader was under the weather so the hike was led by Jim from the Highland Rim Chapter.  It was a mixed group – some from Highland Rim, some from Murfreesboro and three from Scenic City.  I was an absolutely beautiful day to hike (once it warmed up a little) – great views, great waterfalls, great company.

If you would like to see some great pictures from this hike, click here. 

If you get locked out, just slowly work out the problem.  Patience is the key!

Stinging Fork Falls 1.6.2024

Saturday, 6 hikers trusted the weather report by driving thru the rain to Spring City. As we approached the trailhead at Stinging Fork Falls, the rain stopped. We walked thru a mist for a short time. Instead of going to the falls, we turned left at the sign for the new thru trail, 16 miles to the Head of the Sequatchie. Our goal was 4.25 miles, lunch, then turn around.

The rain had stopped, but the first 0.2 miles of the trail was thick, slippery mud. After that we descended on a beautiful rock stairway to the bridge crossing Stinging Fork Creek. A gradual ascent thru the quiet, soft pine forest brought us to another hike down along Little Soak Creek which we easily crossed, multiple times, on rocks. One more steep climb out of the gorge, then rest and lunch. The one incident was when a hiker sat down on our lunch log and broke it. No more cookies for him! We hiked about 8.5 miles with an elevation gain of 1000+ feet.

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

White Oak Mountain Trails 1.2.2024

 White Oak Mountain Trails

01/02/2024

10 anxious hikers started their new year out right with a glorious sunny morning and readiness to hit the trail.  The temperature at the trail head upon arrival was a frosty 30 degrees.   Everyone gathered at the map as Tim Booth reviewed the hiking path for the day.  The group hiked out and started on the relatively flat & wide Dogwood trail.  After crossing over several foot bridges and enjoying the small streams trickling in the brook adjacent to trail, they arrived at the Six Shooter intersection.   After a short break, they proceeded up the various minor & short inclines of the Krebs Cycle and onto the Tower trail with a considerable descent back to the Dogwood Trail.  The next excursion was a return trip back to the Six Shooter intersection with a short break and group picture.  The team then returned back to the main trail and proceeded up the winding curves & sharp inclines of the Big Red trail, crossing over the Christmas Top trail a few times.  After enjoying snack time, conversation, and the views, they proceeded back to the main trailhead via the intense decline of the Christmas Top tail.    The total encounter was almost 4 miles and took about 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Several folks and never hiked on White Oak Mountain but wanted to return.  I consider it a hidden gem.  Everyone appeared to have enjoyed the morning and were grateful to get out, get some exercise and visit with friends.  Enjoy the pictures.

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

Home is where dog hair sticks to everything but the dog.