Rainbow Lake Loop 8.28.18

This was another well organized hike by Trish.  I don't know how she does it and where we would be without her.  It is easy to get confused around Rainbow Lake as there are many intersecting trails.  It was definitely a warm humid day for hiking.  Luckily the trail kept us under the forest canopy where it was definitely cooler.  I would rate this hike as easy and we too our time making the loop which is fine by me as it allows me to take more pictures.  There were 13 of us on today's hike which took about 2.5 hours.  No wildlife was seen and not much water was flowing, but the forest was beautiful.  Now the contentious part.  At the end of the hike, I showed just over 2 miles as the distance.  Everyone disagreed and said "Surely it was much longer." Someone looked at the kiosk map and concluded the hike was closer to 2.8-3.0 miles.  After CONSIDERABLE research on the infallible internet, I concluded the distance was actually 2.2 miles according to various websites.  Therefore, I WAS RIGHT!  My little GPS is never wrong except when it is.  So there all you naysayers!  Following the hike we had a delightful lunch at the Southern Star on the mountain.  If you would like to see a whole bunch of photos, click here.   

Mowbray Pike 8.25.18

Five of us covered the 5 miles between the Mowbray Pike and the Sluder Lane trailheads. The trail was in good condition and there was an abundance of rocky formations and bluffs to look at. There was also a large rock bluff at an electric power line right of way that afforded a good view of the Sequoyah Nuclear Plant cooling towers steaming away.

We finished the hike a little before noon and returned to the Soddy Daisy carpool area.

I'd rate the hike as moderately physical and the scenery along the trail as very good.

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

Piney Falls 8.21.15

So off we went to Piney Falls.  It started out as a questionable rainy day and we weren't sure who would show up.  We shouldn't have worried though since we are a tough dedicated group willing to risk stormy days!  It took a little over an hour to reach Piney Fall and though overcast, no rain.  There were 14 of us on this fairly easy hike.  After getting organized in the small parking lot, we set out.  Wouldn't you know it, one hundred feet down the trail it started to rain.  It was coming down pretty heavy, so everyone stopped and donned their rain gear in preparation for a downpour.  We trudged another one hundred feet and the rain stopped.  Just enough rain to make everything slick and wet.  The trail was easy for the most part, but at one point we had to climb down some very steep, slippery, large rocks.  Once past this point it was pretty much clear sailing to the beautiful falls.  The falls were really flowing and everyone got damp from the spray and took lots of pictures.  On the way back we took a slight detour and went to the head of the falls where we could see the water flowing over the top.  Although the trail did cross the river, we decided it was a little to dangerous so we stopped at this point.  Following the hike, we all ate at the Screen Door.  All in all a very good hike and lunch.  If you would like to see some pictures, click here.

Pot Point Nature Trail 8.18.1/8

The hike was a fairly easy hike for the 3 seasoned hikers (well 2 seasoned hikers and one wannabe).  We arrived at the trailhead around 8:30.  The weather was warm and humid.  The trail for the first half, was wet and slippery from the rains that went through the area the night before.  We exercised caution and no-one went down on the trail.   The first part of the trail rises at a moderate incline of about 300 feet.  The second half of the hike we made our decent down to the river's edge and continued back to the Pot Point Cabin.  The trail there was a bit more wet and soggy.  About the last 5 minutes of the hike, we encountered a light rain shower.  It actually felt pretty good and seemed to make the humidity abate a bit.   We finished the hike in about 2 hours and encountered fewer ticks and muck than we anticipated.   The trail was well marked and it appears work has been done to maintain the trail. If you would like to see a few pictures, click here.

Lula Lake 8.13.18

It was a relatively cool morning for mid August, particularly when we got to the trailhead. The Lula Lake rep was there to greet us and we were most appreciative because, unlike the throngs who come on the open weekends, we had the whole place to ourselves. After pulling a few weeds in our adopted butterfly garden we hit the trail, climbing up the Middle Trail to the Bluff Trail. After enjoying the beautiful view of McLemore Cove we continued along the Bluff to its end and returned down the mountain on the Turkey Trail to the South Creek Trail which is like walking through a tropical rain forest. Having worked up an appetite 9 of us gathered at the Café on the Corner for a spectacular lunch. The last picture is of Donna and Gloria finishing up what remained of Trish's Homemade potato chip nachos. A good time was had by all.
If you would like to see some very nice photos, click here.  More photos added 8.21.18!