Suter and Horsepound Falls TTA

 Deb led 13 hikers from TTA chapters: Plateau, Murfreesboro, Scenic City, and Chattanooga Hiking Club on a challenging hike from Savage Gulf SP South also know as West Collins trailhead from days gone by. It had rained thru the night so the trail was a little wet and muddy. Then we found the ice. The cable to hold onto ended as you turn to start into the Suter Falls area. One hiker slid on the ice and thankfully two hikers grabbed him as he struggled to get his footing on the ice to pull him back and get him back on his feet, PHEW. The first to make it across the ice helped the others get across safely thankfully. The next obstacle was the ice on the hillside leading down to the bridge, and icicles hanging overhead that were dripping in the warmer temps. We found an alternate way around the ice to cross the bridge. After we all got across and started up the hill, icicles made a thundering crash down on the area we had just traveresed....phew. The rest of the hike was good with a few slips on wet roots and rocks, me included. Horsepound Falls was gorgeous, and our lunch spot. After lunch, 5 of us decided to hike a little further to see the sinks. Randy let the rest of the hikers back to the trailhead. After the sinks Joe decided to hike on for more milage and the rest of us started back. We retraced our steps. More icicles had fallen at Suter Falls but we made it out to the first place we found ice to find a Ranger there to help us across. He made sure we were the last ones, and planned to bring an ice pick to break up the ice. Evidently a rescue was made in here a couple days ago. 

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TTA Savage Gulf Day Loop and Dunlap Coke Ovens

Today's hike with Anna of the TTA was the day loop at Savage Gulf SP. It was a beautiful day to be out hiking with friends. As an add on we hiked down to the base of the falls.

After the hike, Lora and I headed to Dunlap and hiked the Dunlap Coke Ovens. We hiked along the Creek trail to the base of the cliffs.

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Laural Snow Falls Wilderness Pocket

Today's hike turned into an ice hike. The trail was clear, but there was ice on all the rocks and around the falls. Very pretty!

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Rock Creek segment of the Cumberland trail

 

Lora and I did the Rock Creek Loop from Upper Leggett Road. Beautiful day to get out and enjoy the weather. We added on the overlook trail. 

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Savage Gulf SP

Today's hike was at Savage Gulf State Park. We hiked out to the Rattle Snake overlook. With a little mistake, we hiked the day loop adding on to our out and back. On the way back we turned onto the day loop and hiked back around to Rattle Snake overlook. We tried to make it look like we did this on purpose.

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FCF Trash Pick up and Hike

 Jennifer led a GWHT event at Fall Creek Falls SP, co-ed edition. She and Tim, two other couples, and two ladies plus me, met at the Visitor Center to get instructions from the Ranger in charge of the event. One other volunteer was there. The Ranger gave us a list of the areas to tackle, trash bags and grabbers. We split into 3 teams. Our team picked up trash at the George Hole, and Nature Center. The big find of the day was when Holly found a DeWalt power tool in the leaves. The battery was still good. We turned it into the Ranger. We met back up at the Visitor Center to turn in our garbage and get pictures if the team and the Ranger. Lunch at the Nature Center, then the hike to the Falls and base of the Falls. A big group of young men were stripping down at the pool at the base, getting ready for a polar plunge. We watched as a few barefoot guys carefully made their way across the rocks to the falls, and in they went! Brrrrr     As we hiked our way back to the top, that group passed us at the top. Thankfully none looked like hypothermia got them.

Picture credits Jennifer and Mary

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Polly Branch Trail TTA

 

Betsy led a great hike on what was supposed to be a rainy day. It rained on the way to the trailhead, but stopped by the time I got there. 6 hikers with rain gear ready, started out to explore and see the waterfalls. Waded across the creek barefoot, as did a couple others, didn't bring my water shoes. Upper and Lower Polly Branch Falls were beautiful. When we got to the third waterfall, it was gushing water and had flooded the trail on the other side. We decided not to chance it, even tho Betsy tried to find a way to wade the Caney Fork instead....   Not today. Hiked back to the campsite for lunch beside another creek. It started misting rain as we hiked back, at the parking lot it was sprinkling a little. 

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Little Cedar Mountain, Girls Who Hike Tennessee

 

Dawn invited us to hike with her on an unofficial GWHT.  Jennifer, Dawn, LouAnn and I explored the moss covered limestone rocks, kind of eerie in the fog and drizzle. Beautiful and so interesting here, this treasure right beside the Interstate, and the Tennessee River. We did a figure 8 to see all the trails. Odd finds with a pair of toddler socks, then a pair of crutches abandoned? Hmmm. The river views were cool. Dawn said she and her dad had explored here lots, so it would be cool to come back and explore more.  Picture credits to Dawn and Jennifer.

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Soak Creek TTA Scenic City

 Tammy led a great hike at Soak Creek. We met at the Piney River parking area to arrange a shuttle for the 15 hikers. We started the hike at the Stinging Fork trailhead. Several folks had not been here before. The waterfall was beautiful today with lots of water. Then forward, following the creek, up and down the ridges. Saw quite a few hepatica leaves, a few violet leaves, and one buttercup blooming, jut a couple hundred yards from ice still below a rock wall.  Tennessee weather, cold enough for ice, warm enough to make flowers bloom.  

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McGill Falls

We had a warm Christmas and since our family gatherings were on Christmas Eve, we hiked Christmas day. By the time we got to the falls we were hot and sweaty. I jumped in to cool off and it was cold water, but it really felt good. It was a good hike and we only saw one other couple.

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