Soddy Creek Gorge, 12.21.2024

 

Bundled up against the 20-degree wind chill, 5 hikers ventured on the north Soddy Gorge section of the CT. Peaceful, with sounds of crackling leaves underfoot, the lonely whooo of trains traversing the valley below, sandhill cranes trilling. Up and down the gorges of Little Soddy creek, Deep creek, and Big Soddy we tramped over lots of rocks, boulders and some really big rocks. 

Thanks to the dedicated volunteers who maintain the trails. They had recently cut many fallen trees from the trail. But there is still that 1 old tree remaining across the path to challenge hikers. 

In the distance, looking up the bluff through the trees, we saw a big dark shadow. Could it be Sasquatch (following our own Yeti-aka hiker Tom)? It was a bit of a blur, but I’m quite sure we sighted Big Foot!

A nearly 8 miles trek with an elevation gain of 1078 feet.

I did not get any pictures from this hike.  

In 1920 we took children out of the coal mines.

In 2020 the most popular video game on the market is minecraft.

The children yearn for the mines. 

Tim's Ford 12.17.2024

On Saturday, thirteen TTA members hiked Lost Creek Trail, Marble Plains Loop and Old Spann House Trail at Tim’s Ford State Park in Winchester.  The hikers were from Scenic City, Murfreesboro and Highland Rim Chapters.  They are Tom McElhone, Jean Smith, Tim Booth, Marie Holland, Bob Anderson, John Prescott, Joan Hartvigsen, Albert Suppinger, Patty Deen, Amanda Carkhuff, Martina Terazas, J.C. Saunders and Cody Bain.  We also visited two campsites: The Lost Creek Campsite and the Spann House campsites.  Both campsites had beautiful views of Tim’s Ford Lake.  

If you would like to see some excellent photos taken during this hike, click here or on the photo to the right.  

In 1920 we took children out of the coal mines.

In 2020 the most popular video game on the market was Minecraft.

The children yearn for the mines.  

Signal Mountain 12.14.2024

 I do not have a write-up for this hike, but it looks a little cold a gloomy.  

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

 Our hike started at Snoopers Rock, a wonderful view of the Tennessee River gorge. Despite the cold temperatures in the 20s, the sunshine and lack of wind, it was tolerable, and clothing layers were soon shed. We headed down the Pot Point trail, past the intersection with the Ritchie Hollow trail, to our destination Natural Bridge. This was our lunch spot, while some hikers slid down a crack in the bluff to get a up-close view of the arch.

Back up the Pot Point trail to the intersection, we chose to descend Ritchie Hollow to visit Blowing Wind Falls. The waters had frozen to massive icicles giving the area a cathedral look.

Finally, we shuffled through the leaves to return to our cars parked near Snoopers Rock. We trod 8.2 miles with an elevation gain of 1348 feet.

What is a group of turkeys called? Not TTA hikers! We saw a rafter of turkeys driving out of Prentice Cooper. No, the turkeys were not driving.

If you would like to see a bunch of really good pictures, click here or on the picture above.  

I just know the toddler stole my pen.  It's written all over his face.  

Cascade Falls 11.26.2024

 Nine of us carpooled from East Ridge to Dalton, GA on a chilly November morning to experience a trail that only one of us had been on before, and it wasn’t hike leader Dave Graham 😱  However, Larry Lunsford was our stabilizing force as we enjoyed a pleasant stroll through the woods with glimpses of Dalton State and the steady hum of I-75 below.  Unfortunately, the recent drought did not allow us to experience water in the “cascades”, but the Fall colors were spectacular and made for a worthwhile trip.  In addition to Dave and Larry, we were also joined by; Julie Roberts, Betsy Darken, Tim Booth, Will Latham, Lee Prichard, Susan Kroll, and Tom McElhone

If you would like to see another picture taken during this hike, click here.  

Well, to be Frank, I'd have to change my name.