Washmorgan Hollow TTA

 Mark led a group of 17 hikers from 6 TTA chapters at Washmorgan Hollow Preserve area. The wildflowers were spectacular. This area is a 73 acre natural area in Jackson County and is owned by the Nature Conservancy of Tennessee. The narrow winding ridges are separated by steep slopes that drop between 200 and 300 feet to the bottom of the hollow.  A waterfall is at the end of head of the hollow. It flows out of Washmorgan Hollow into Roaring River just below where the confluence  where Spring Creek enters Roaring River. There are large sycamore trees along the stream. The State Natural site says a large population of Synandra grows here in the spring. We didn't see that but did see so many other wildflowers. It was such a beautiful area and watching everyone find the different wildflowers was so fun. After this hike Mark took us to a privately owned area to hike the family farm. We saw 3 waterfalls and so many more wildflowers. Thanks to Mark for the great day of hiking with so many TTA friends and family. 

Pictures:

Piney River - Cumberland trail

Lora and I went to the Piney River Segment of the Cumberland trail checking out wildflowers. It was a beautiful day to be out. We hiked out to the suspension bridge and back.

 Pictures:

Roaring Creek Segment of the Cumberland Trail

Lora and I headed down to the Roaring Creek segment of the Cumberland Trail. We just hiked along the creek checking out the flowers. We followed the roadbed to the end and headed back before the rain set in.

 Pictures:

Old Stone Fort/Short Springs SNA

Joan and Will led 21 hikers on the trails at Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park, Started out cold with everyone bundled up, well a except for one brave hiker wearing shorts, (not Craig) The wildflowers were showing their beauty today, the Virginia Bluebells are aways a treat to see.  The Duck River had flooded the area where the bluebells were and they were a little rough looking. But still beautiful. They grow where the Duck and Little Duck River come together.  

After this hike, I went to Short Springs SNA to see what was blooming on the Wildflower Loop. There were beauties everywhere! A really vibrant dark pink Spiderwort amongst all the dark purples. The loop was full of blooms, especially the red and white trilliums. Also found Jacobs Ladder. 

Pictures: 

Rock Island SP

We headed over to Rock Island Sate Park for the day. We parked at the Great Falls overlook and hiked up to the Collins River Nature trail. We ate lunch on a bench overlooking the Collins river. After we returned to the car we drove over and hiked the Bluff trail. We checked out the picnic area #2 overlook before we left.

Pictures:

North Chicamauga Creek SP

Today was the first time back at North Chick since they made it a State Park. Basically they put up signs and took away parking that they were already short of. The flowers were out and the weather was hot. 

Pictures:

Prater and Wheeler Farms

 

Lora and I decided to hike when it was too hot. To early in the Spring to be in the 80's. We went to the Wheeler Farm and then hiked Prater Farm. We got to see some turkeys that we didn't get pictures of. I got a quick swim in to cool off.

Pictures:

Wildflower Hike

Today we went to Leggett Road Lower trailhead and hiked in to see how the wildflowers were doing. Beautiful day and lots of butterflies.

Pictures:

Fall Creek Falls Upper Loop trail

Today we headed over to Fall Creek Falls to check out progress on the Upper Loop trail. We started at the bridge on 284 at Cane Creek. There is still some trees down on this section. They have done some work on the backcountry campground including new outhouses which needed to be done. We stopped at the missing swinging bridge over Cane Creek where they are working on putting a new one in. Slow progress, but it is progress.

Pictures:

Hinch Mt. Segment TTA Backpack

 

Murfreesboro TTA led a hike on the Hinch Mt. Segment of the Cumberland trail. We parked at the Head of the Sequatchie and shuttled 10 backpackers to Stinging Fork Falls to start the hike. This was a 16 mile backpack. This is a physically demanding hike through beautiful mountains. There are creeks, waterfalls, and different ecosystems. We got to see a large Great Horned owl which flew down right beside us on the trail and then landed in a tree. We camped along Soak Creek where the weather dropped down into the 20's. 

Hikers were Cynthia Skidmore, Kathy Stutts, Sara Pollard, Wendy Fish, Tammy Hendrick, Curt Thomas, Cindy Strang, Jean Breuer, and Craig and Lora McBride.

Pictures: