Fifteen hikers met near the Whitewater Center on the Ocoee River.  The water tumbled over the rocks and the wind whipped the cold through our coats, hats and gloves.  It was SO cold, as we slung on our backpacks and grabbed our hiking poles.  We walked quickly to the Bear Paw trail.  Once in the forest and sunshine and hiking uphill, we warmed up.  There were only a few downed trees; otherwise the trail was easy.  We hiked the connector path to Chestnut Mountain trail and walked clockwise to Riverview trail.  After hiking awhile, not seeing the river, it was time for a lunch break. Retracing our steps to Bear Paw Loop, we finished the trail by walking across the bridge commemorating the 1966  Olympics held here.  The hike was 5.9  miles with an elevation gain of 1027ft.

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

Chickamauga Battlefield 2.8.2022

 This hike started out a little iffy.  Seems that we had just hiked this trail and due to the fact that it had two names we were hiking it again.  However, being a very resourceful club we quickly adapted by using confusion as out tactic.  We figured out another trail that would suffice quite nicely.  So off we went on this 5.3 mile hike within the battlefield.  We did have to hike a distance on asphalt which no one likes to do but it was necessary.  After a couple of wrong turns, we figured out almost exactly where we were.  The weather was perfect for this 2 hour 45 minute easy hike. If you are interested, we burned about 361 calories.  It was cold to start off, but not too cold and the sky was a crystal blue with nary a cloud in sight.  There were 14 hikers on this hike and I think everyone had a very nice time. 

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

Prentice Cooper 2.5.2022

 Saturdays hike in Prentice Cooper State Forest (Poplar Springs section of the Cumberland Trail) was a chilly one.  The temperature at the trailhead was was a chilly 26 degrees and when we returned , it had climbed to a balmy 34 degrees.  We hiked briskly from the main trailhead in Prentice Cooper to Indian Rockhouse, squeezing through the stairway between house-sized rock, then followed the well worn trail below the bluff.  As we walked , the bright sun warmed us until the trail turned to the other side of the mountain then the bitter wind assaulted us, and such was the rest of the hike, alternating from chilly to warm, putting on gloves, hats and zipping up coats to unzipping.

A lot of rocks, a lot of small ups and downs, 14 wet-weather, rock-hopping water crossings-1 way.  So 28 crossings, most easy, a few challenging, no icy rocks, and the bridge at Sulphur Branch missing a few floor boards,.  We bushwacked around the Branch, which revealed multiple waterfalls cascading down the mountain.  

We finally reached the top of the bluff to Lawson's Rock, overlooking the Tennessee River gorge and had lunch.  Hiking back the way we had come in the  morning was filled by afternoon hikers.  It is great that folks are enjoying our beautiful trails.

Greeter Falls 2.1.2022

 This was a close call for me.  Each week I put a copy of the current months hikes next to my computer.  This time I inadvertently put March's hike schedule up.  Therefore, when I looked at the schedule I was slightly off.  It wasn't until the Sunday night before the hike that I realized I was leading the next hike.  "Panic".  I quickly had to figure out how to get to the hike sight but also just where the trail went.  Therefore I wasn't exactly prepared for this hike, but somehow I managed to bluff my way through.  

The day was absolutely beautiful, cool and with a perfect blue sky.  The trail was easy to follow and we proceeded to the Greeter homesite and then onward to the upper and lower falls overlooks.  The falls were flowing nicely and the views were excellent.  At this point the trail did get a little rougher with patches of rocks and roots.  Therefore, I would rate this hike as moderate.  Everyone made it through these unscathed.  This trail included all kinds of different terrain which made for an interesting hike.  When we reached Board Camp Falls sat about two miles we had to decide whether to continue the loop we were on or do an out and back towards Alum gap.  We elected to add a couple miles to this the hike resulting in a 4.2 mile hike that lasted just over 4 hours.  The addition was worth it as the bluff showed us a beautiful view of Savage Gulch. We then turned around and began the hike back to the parking lot.  There was lots of conversation during the hike so I am pretty sure that my bluff was working.  

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

Hunt's Cemetery, Chick Battlefield

 Wow, what a turnout!  We had 21 hikers on the trail.  Personally, I think it had something to do with the words "easy" and "flat".  We initially met at two locations and then caravanned to the parking lot in the Chickamauga Battlefield.  It was much warmer than it had been the previous few days which made the hike much more enjoyable.  It started out a bit overcast and then became beautifully sunny.  I really  think that this hike of 4.3 miles and lasted 2hrs and 23 minutes was enjoyed by all.  There sure was a lot of conversation and laughter.  We got a little strung out a couple of times but a short stop got everybody back together.  If you would like to see some nice pictures taken during this hike as well as a map, click here.