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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Black Mt. to Ozone Falls South Section

 

Lora and I headed back to Black Mt. to finish up the Ozone Falls segment of the Cumberland trail. We have already done the Northern half so we needed to do an out and back to get the Southern part. This part of the trail is really a pretty section with plenty of water sources. It is a bit steep going into the Basin Creek gorge and there is a couple of sections where there is no real trail so you have to do your own scramble. Not a wet weather hike for sure. There is a good overlook where the property owners had done a clear cut on the East side of the trail. There is some old trees along the trail as well.

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CT from Ozone Falls to Black Mt.

Today Lora and I headed to the Cumberland trail to see the new segment that goes between Ozone Falls and Black Mountain. They have done a really nice job with the trail. We stopped short at the downhill to the gorge of Basin Creek as we were doing an out and back. We met Debbie on the trail and had quite the langthy talk about hiking. Always good to meet new people. We will have to do the other end soon.

We got to see and owl on the way home....bonus!

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