Unfortunately, there is no writeup for this hike, but if you would like to see some nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.
Here is a joke for your entertainment...
I met a beautiful women today and we went walking. Then she noticed me and we went running!
Originally this hike was suppose to originate at Ochs Trailhed and proceed to Craven's House via the Bluff Trail and Point Park. However, me being the turtle hiker that I am, I prefer to hike down, as much as possible, on the return leg of a hike. So, I reversed the order of the hike and shortened the hike a bit. The hike was listed as 6 to 7 miles, but as I looked at the trail maps, I realized it was going to be 9 to 10 miles or more. If the heat and humidity rose during the day, it would make this a bit of a chore for the old-timer that I am. As it turned out, the heat and humididty didn't show up. But I still cut the hike from Sunset Rock to Ochs Trailhead on the Bluff Trail. So it turned out to be a 5+ mile fairly easy hike for a Saturday.
Three of us departed the Craven's Hous trailhead around 9am and hiked up to Point Park via the Craven's House Trail. Not a difficult ascent with only one large felled tree across the trail which we got over. We arrived at Point Park to an entirely different park setting than the last time we hiked there during the Covid restritions. At that time there was nobody in the park when we arrived. This time, though not crowded, there were around 50 individuals in the park. From this point, rather than return to the Bluff Trail and head oward Sunset Rock, we decidedc to hike over to Sunset Rock Trailhead via the road through the Blighted neighborhood along West Brow Road. I was relieved to see tha "Mountain Folk" are able to survive atop of the mountain. We stopped at Sunset Rock overlook and had our snacks befor returning to Craven's House. On the return hike on the Bluff Trail, there wer a few rock climbers that we stopped and watched briefly. We all decided this sport was not in or ever was in "our buck lists". We finished the hike before 2 pm-which was early for a Saturday hike. Got home early enough to have a glass of wine before taking my nap.
If you would like to see some very nice pictures taken during this hike, click here.
It rained all day the day before this hike. Even though the forecast was for a clear day, I guess the prospect of a wet slippery trail kept some of the regular hikers home. As it turned out it was a grand day for a hike. The temperature was just right and the sun shown brightly although deep in the forest we only saw glimpses of it. The start of the hike was a little shakey as I couldn't get my GPS to cooperate and there are many narrow dirt paths that can possibly be taken at the beginning of the trail. After a couple of false starts, we finally found our way and began the 4.5 mile hike down to Lula Lake Road. The hike went very well and it was so peaceful and quiet in these woods that everybody was able to enjoy a relaxing hike. The trail was now easy to follow without any serious obstacles along the way. Almost everyone commented on the beauty of the forest and stillness. The six hikers continued down until we reach a bridge near a very bubbly creek where we took a break for a snack. We then continued down until we reached the staged truck.
Following the hike we all had our first lunch together at the Purple Daisy in St. Elmo. This was the first lunch of the season followin the Covid 19 scenario.
If you would like to see a few pictures from todays hike on the Connector Trail, click here.
The 6.6 mile hike from Signal Point Park to Edwards Point is a popular trek. Even more were on the path as the trail runners were racing. We gave way to the runners and encouraged them on. At the beginning of the trail, we descended wooden stairs, rock steps and hopped down where there were no steps. Lots of rocks, roots and more rocks to reach Middle Creek where we traversed the wooden suspension bridge. Just before the bridge, was a plaque commemorating Sam Powel, founder of the Cumberland Trail. Next the rocky limestone blufs arose near the right side of the trail. We ascended more rock steps to Lockhart's arch (named for three boy scouts who discoved the arch when helping to plan this trail). By then we reached the rim of the plateau and the trail flattened. Shortly thereafter we arrived at our destination, Edwards Point. The view of the Tennessee River Gorge was spectacular! We saw the Tennessee River extend into the Chattanooga, wind its way around Elder/Raccoon mountain and head past Prentice Cooper State Forest. After lunch, we went back from whence we came, welcoming a few sprinkles of rain along our way.
If you would like to see some nice photos taken during this hike, click here.
Unfortunately, I do not have a write up for this hike, but if you would like to see a few beautiful pictures taken along the way, click here.