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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Christmas 2025

Christmas started on Christmas Eve this year. Nick and Amy came up for a brunch at Lora's moms house. Later in the day we headed over to the Smith Family Christmas with 40+ family members where fellowship, dinner, and games took place. 

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Virginia Trip

 

Went to see Dad and Mom for a weekend. We celebrated my birthday with Lynelle and Jim. 

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Murfreesboro TTA Christmas Party

Tony Jones hosted the annual Murfreesboro chapter Christmas party at his beautifully decorated home. The chapter furnished the ham and turkey and everyone brought a side dish to share. Tony also provided his famous and delicious banana pudding. Some folks enjoyed their meal around the fire pit outside. Everyone got to meet our new chapter chair Cheryl Smith for 2026. 

Those attending were Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Johnny Eatherly, Katy Ginanni, Lynda Haynie, Sue Hulit, Tony Jones, Chris Manzione, Connie Matthies,  Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Georganne Ross, Lynn Rosser, Tim Rosser, John Ruth, Terri Ruth, Jan Safavi, Cheryl Smith, Martina Terrazas and her son Eduardo. 

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Murfreesboro TTA Georgia trip

Blairsville, Georgia

November 17-21, 2025

We had 11 participants on our trip to Blairsville, Georgia for camping and hiking. We had people staying in cabins at Vogel State Park and in a house outside the park. The first day we started with a hike in the park around Lake Trahlyta and a side trip to Trahlyta Falls. After that some of us hiked the Bear Hair Gap Trail inside the park.

On the second day we all met up at the Byron Reece Trailhead. They were searching for a missing hiker so there were a lot of people at the trail. We hiked up to the AT and took that up to the top of Blood Mountain to the shelter. We returned the same way. Jay brought his support chicken. That night we all joined up at the rental house for a wonderful meal prepared by Lynn and Tim Rosser. Then we had a campfire where Lynn and Tim made smores for everyone.

Day Three: A couple of options today. We all met up at Desoto Falls to hike the upper and lower falls. After that some went to Brasstown Bald and some of us hiked Raven Cliffs Falls. Sue made a wonderful dinner that night.

Day Four: Some of us met and hiked Duke Creek Falls and Helton Creek Falls; some went to the Gold Mining Museum, and that afternoon some went to Brasstown Bald, and others hiked the Coosa Trail in Vogel SP. Jay made a wonderful dinner that night. 

Participants were Jay Brain, Geoff Hull, Patty Hull, Sue Hulit, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Lynn Rosser, Tim Rosser; and Misty Fell and Sheila Miller from the Plateau chapter.

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Pogue Creek Canyon to Pickett TTA

 

Mark Hubbard planned this great hike that is evidently very popular with this group. 22 hikers met at Arch Lake at Pickett to shuttle cars to Pogue, and a couple to Black House Mountain Rd for a shorter hike option. It was a cool start, but warmed up nicely. We broke into two groups, Mark leading half the hikers and Joan leading the other half. Pogue Creek Canyon is always beautiful no matter the season. The views into the canyon are awesome. It was about a 7 mile hike or more depending on whose GPS you belived. Hikers were from Nashville, Murfreesboro, Highland Rim, Columbia Franklin, and Memphis Chapters.

Mark Hubbard, Amy Sutton, Cheryl Smith, Zari, Lori, Deb Owens, Cindy Clark, Debbie Dodd, Gloria Dale Williams, Jay Brain, Jean Breuer, Jim Barrit, Joan Hartvigsen, Karen Jones, Kathryn Lofton, Kathy Woods, Marietta Poteet, Sara Pollard, Sarah Lovett, Scott Jordan, Todd Stanley, Wendy Fish, Lora McBride, Gorgeanne Ross. Old friends and new ones!

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Longfield Branch Trail BSF

 

Cheryl led 5 of us on a snowy hike at Big South Fork. Had a couple of creek crossings, we took our time and didn't get wet feet. One couple had family connection in the area of Rance Boyatt Farm and grave site. We found frost flowers all over the farm area, always excited to see these. Back across the creek, onward to Maude's Crack. We all made it up thanks to the rope someone has left there to help you scramble up or down. 

Hikers: Cheryl Smith, Zary Rahimi, Lori Olinger, Gayron and Marla Franklin, and Lora

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