Snow Falls 3.15.14

3.15.14    The Soddy Daisy TTA Chapter had a total of 9 hikers today as we met at the Soddy Daisy Ball Fields and then carpooled up to Dayton, Tn where we hiked the Snow Falls trail.  Our hike leader today was the very capable John Politte and with the side trip to Buzzard Point the hike itself was approximately 11 miles long and was rated as strenuous.  The day was gorgeous as it began partly sunny and in the mid 40’s when we met and by the time we hit the trail it was climbing into the low 50’s and heading towards the mid to upper 60’s, who could ask for more?  John & I struck out on a fairly fast pace so shortly into the hike the perspiration started flowing where some of the boys and girls were already stripping off their clothes or maybe it was just their jackets – not sure, with old age the memory is the first thing to go or so they say.   Well we arrived up on top and headed for Buzzard Point prior to traveling to Snow Falls and the overlook was outstanding although we didn’t spot the usual Black Buzzards circling the point as I had last July when I was backpacking Snow Falls.  Several of the hikers had previously stated that if Morgan Creek was up they would not attempt a water crossing to see Snow Falls.  So once we arrived at the creek it was going to be tricky to cross due to the depth of the water but 4 of us forged on across while the others stayed behind.  I was lucky enough to pick a path that didn’t get any deeper than my boots so my feet stayed dry as did most of the others.  At Snow Falls we stayed on top instead of hiking down to the bottom and viewing it from below so it meant several of us had to cross the creek again to gain a vantage point for viewing the falls as it was going over but it was well worth it.  Back in July when I camped out by the creek there wasn’t much more than a trickle of water flowing that day so this was a pleasant surprise.   After crossing the creek four separate times we had pushed our luck enough without anyone taking a fall so we headed back to the Snow/Laurel parking lot where we found it packed with cars and others enjoying the trails also.  I hope you had an opportunity to get out on a trail somewhere on Saturday and aid in the renewal of the body, mind & spirit! Oh btw I might mention that I brought home a hitch hiker in the form of a tick feeding on the back of my leg so I guess that means that we should start digging out the insect repellant for the upcoming Spring and Summer hiking season.  Happy Hiking Everyone!

Larry

3.8.14    There were 13 lucky souls who could have stayed home and worked around the house on such a warm and beautiful late winter’s day but instead decided to throw caution to the wind and make a sacrifice by driving up to the Cumberland Mountain State Park just outside of Crossville, Tn to share a 9 mile hike together.  Oh well it looks as though the work around the house will just have to wait for another day.  We had the pleasure of having two new hikers with us, one young lady from Dayton, Tn and a young man from LaFayette, Ga and they were a very welcome addition to our numbers.  Our hike leader was George Bonneau of the TTA, Soddy Daisy Chapter and he had set us up to  hike approximately 8 miles but several of us that were in the lead added at least another mile to it on the way back either because we were having so much fun or maybe because we made a wrong turn, I was happy with the way it turned out so it didn’t matter to me!  Beginning around 10:00 a.m. we left the Ranger’s Office and headed towards the centerpiece of the Park where the trail began, the old stone bridge/dam located less than a quarter of a mile from the Office.   The stone bridge/dam was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the late '30s and it’s still a beauty to behold.  We followed the steps down beside the bridge and began with the red blazes for the  Cumberland Plateau Trail.  Within approximately a .5 mile the blazes changed to yellow for the Byrd Creek Trail  and at about 1.25 miles we crossed a quaint bridge over a small creek that was built as an Eagle Scout project a number of years ago.   Shortly thereafter we started following the blue blazes for the Overnight Trail which included a campsite thus the label as the Overnight Trail as well as a Suspension Bridge over Three Mile Creek.  This trail was listed as a 6 mile loop.  I’m assuming that this trail doesn’t get a lot of traffic since it’s the most distant trail from the Ranger’s Office and that’s probably the reason it could use a little TLC when it comes to removing downed trees from the trail.  The loop intersected back to a segment of the yellow blazed trail and we returned to our vehicles at the Ranger’s Office.  I would like to say that everyone had a great time and returned home but that would be leaving out one of the best parts of the trip, the buffet meal after the hike at the State Park’s Restaurant.  This was probably the best lunch I’ve had in quite a while (it’s apparent that they have some awesome cooks in the kitchen) and I would highly recommend that it’s well worth the trip to get in a great hike and then replenish your calories that were burned off during the lengthy hike by stopping at the restaurant for the buffet.  I actually believe that I added many more calories than I burned on the hike but me and food are best friends!  Happy Hiking Everyone! J

Larry

Elsie Holmes Nature Center

2.25.14   We went to Elsie Holmes Nature Center yesterday rather than Cedar Mountain (which has not reopened).  We had 18 hikers.  It turned out to be a reallynice day.  The trail was dry and passable along Chickamauga Creek which was really flowing.  We hiked about 3-1/2 miles and I would rate the hike as easy.  Most of us enjoyed eating at Einsteins Bagels afterwards.

George

Desoto State Park

2.22.14    Our TTA Chapter’s Saturday hike was originally planned to follow along the Little River trail within DeSoto State Park located near Mentone, Alabama but George and I scouted it out last Sunday afternoon and found several sections were underwater within the first mile or so due to the swollen river and since more rain was on its’ way this past week, George reworked our hike to stay up on top of Lookout Mountain instead of travelling along the Little River segment.  There were eight souls looking for a little rest and relaxation today in the form of hike.  It’s a little known fact among city dwellers but hikers are aware that  a walk in the woods helps refocus the mind and revive the spirit.  We were fortunate that two of the hikers travelling with us was a retired couple who were in Chattanooga for a short stay and decided to find a better way to spend their Saturday than sightseeing downtown.  Debbie and Mark reside near Washington, D.C. and they graced us with their presence for a good part of the day.  Thanks guys for sharing your time with us.  The trek itself was just under 7.5 miles and although the terrain would be classified as easy the mileage would make it a moderate day of hiking.  George, as our hike leader,  led us by Lost Falls, Laurel Falls and Indian Falls, in that order.  The weather as you might have guessed if you left the confines of your homes today was sunny and warm which made for perfect hiking weather.  I hope everyone had a chance to get out and take advantage of the beautiful trails we have around our area.  Happy Hiking!

Oh btw, please try to remember that the month of March is when the Cumberland Trail Conference will be hosting the Spring Break Away for the college students from across the nation at our local Dogwood Lodge near Soddy Daisy.  These young people will be working towards extending and or completion of the Roaring Creek trail located on Graysville Mountain.  If you could spare your time or your resources anytime during the month of March it would be greatly appreciated by the CTC and everyone else that enjoys hiking the Cumberland Trails in our area.

Courtesy Larry

Glenn Falls

2.18.14    Our hike today was to Glen Falls on Lookout Mountain, while it was new to me I wasn't expecting it to be as Spectacular as many of the hikes we make because this was a Tuesday hike which is typically, for our club, a shorter and easier hike than we normally do on Saturdays.  We started from the lower parking lot at Ruby Falls and we had a great turnout of 20 hikers.  Based on the mileage of about 6 miles round trip I would rate it as moderate but after meandering down a closed access road we started our climb and it was sufficient to give everyone a good cardio workout for what the sign said was only .5 miles but the way it kept going up I would have sworn it was more like a mile before it leveled off.  There was a nice picnic area located about half way through the first leg of the hike near the top but the restrooms were apparently closed during the winter months.  What I found spectacular near the end of the trail was the stone door just above the falls.  It was an awesome example of mother nature at her best!  As we crossed the bridge at the bottom of the falls there is not a good vantage point to view the falls until you ascend and go through the stone door and then you can look down on the falls and appreciate it much better than what was visible below.  With the rock formations scattered along the creek at the top leading to the falls it made a great place to just sit a spell and soak up the sunshine which was so generously available today.  You couldn't ask for better hiking weather than what we had today and along with the friendly crowd that turned out for today’s hike it made this hike spectacular to me.  We finished off the day with a stop at the foot of the mountain for a delicious lunch at a nearby Mexican Restaurant and the pork tacos were delicious.  With the enjoyable camaraderie and the lunches I may start looking forward to the Tuesday hikes as much as I do on the Saturday hikes!  If you weren’t out on the trail somewhere today you missed a great opportunity.  Happy Hiking!  To see some pictures, please click on the Glenn Falls tab above.
Larry.

The ideal mountain trail is one which has no end. The ideal trail journey is one which never turns back, but leads forever onward to discover what lies around the next bend and beyond the next crest.  (Elmer Adams)