Dry Creek Falls Trail

 

Ranger Stuart Carroll led us on the new segment of trail in the Bridgestone Natural Reserve Area. It connects with Dog Cove Trail and Lost Creek Trail. We met in the parking lot for Lost Falls and cave and shuttled to the Dog Cove Trailhead not too far away. It's a pretty trail with rock features and two waterfalls. Found lots of huckleberries along the way, a cool beetle, a hornet nest and lots of fungi. And still some pretty wildflowers. There wasn't a lot of water at the waterfalls but still pretty. Had a late lunch at the second falls. 12 hikers counting the Ranger and one dog. 

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Barren River Lake SP

Did a four night trip up to Barren River Lake SP in Kentucky. Random search North out of the rain pattern paid off. We got there on a Wednesday afternoon with a light rain coming in shortly after we arrived. We did get all set up in the dry. We walked the campground that evening and did a driving tour of the park facilities. We found blackberries!

Thursday we got up and hiked half of their bike trail up to the Peters Creek trail and back. Then after lunch we took the canoe out and went West along the State Park up to the beach area and back. After that was a little sunning and some swimming. Campfire that night.

Friday we got up and hiked the other half of their bike trail. We searched out the horse trails and found out that they no longer keep those trails up. So we hiked the rest of the bike trail and saw two different owls and a hawk. After lunch we lazied up to the lake and relaxed. Campfire in the evening.

Saturday we went to the Brigadoon State Natural Preserve and walked their one mile trail. After that we went to Paradise Point Marketplace which is a tourest trap filled with all kinda stuff. Interesting place to stop by. Back at camp we found that our canoe had been moved and lucky for us who ever used it returned and tied it to a tree. So we paddled under the bridge and along the shore line for a lunch. Then we paddled back. Afternoon lazying by the lake. Campfire in the evening.

Sunday after our morning walk around the campground finishing off the blackberries, we packed up and headed home.

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Black Mountain to Ozone Falls

 

TTA Clarksville drove to Ozone Falls and picked up Carl from Scenic City TTA and me, shuttled to Black Mountian to start our hike. It wasn't too hot walking under a full canopy mostly in the shade. Lots of ferns, some huge, and Flame Azalea blooming all over the forest. Paul was a great leader, pointing out trees and explaining growth patterns, bark patterns and leaves. By the time we got to Ozone Falls there were lots of folks swimming in the creek and pool at the base of the falls. 7.2 miles. We said goodbye to Carl and I drove Cindy and Paul back to Black Mountain. There was a man with a young son in the parking lot locked out of their car. I loaned hima lug wrench to break out his back window. The yong son crawled thru the window and got the car unlocked. Seems like and expensive way to get into a car. 

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