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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Pickett State Park

Day one: 7.55

Ladder trail 0.95

Lake trail 1.55

Island trail 0.3

Hidden Passage trail 3.75

Double Falls trail 1.0

Day two: 11.3

Double Falls trail 1.0

Hidden Passage trail 1.3

Tunnel trail 1.0

Rock Creek trail oop,s 2.0

Rock Creek trail 1.0

Rock Creek Loop trail 5.0

Day three: 7.25

Rock Creek Loop trail 2.5

Rock Creek trail 1.0

Tunnel trail 1.0

Hidden Passage trail 2.75

Total miles: 26.1

Lora and I headed to Pickett State Park for a three day backpack. We started off with some shorter trails in the park before heading out on the Hidden Passage trail. We parked in the campground and hiked the Ladder loop trail, the Lake trail, and the Island trail. Then we drove over to the Hidden Passage trail and took the backpacks. We hiked to Double Falls campsite for the night. After dinner we crossed the creek to view the falls. Didn't want to have to cross first thing in the morning.

We got up and hiked back up to the top and then took the Tunnel trail back down to the Rock Creek trail. The sign pointed both ways, so thinking we were at the Rock Creek Loop trail we went through the tunnel and crossed the creek four times when we realized we were going the wrong way. Oops! Back the way we came and through the tunnel again. My Bad! We hiked the Rock Creek trail on to the Rock Creek Loop trail. We did it counter clock wise so we would end up with water at camp. On Massy branch we saw our first and only other backpacker. He was through hiking the Sheltowee Trace. We stopped on Rock Creek for our second night. We heard some owls tonight.

We got up and continued on the Loop trail then crossed the creek for the Rock Creek trail. We crossed again to catch the Tunnel trail and then took the Hidden Passage trail by the group camp and on to the car. 

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Hidden Passage Trail

I hiked Saturday with Nancy Juodenas and Amy Sutton from the Nashville chapter of TTA at Pickett State Park. It sure was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, and warm sunshine. This trail is also part of the Sheltowee Trace Trail so you see the white turtle blazes along with the green blazes. Right away we saw a small arch and overhang and then Crystal Falls. The trail then takes you across the top of the falls, watch your step, it would be a quick decent. We saw lots of rock shelters and overhangs, some look like you could explore if you’re willing to crawl. We walked along rock walls for a while. The colors in the rock are so pretty with so many patterns. We saw trailing arbutus blooming among the ledges in the rock walls.

We decided to take the side trail to Double Falls. We had to wade across Thompson Creek to get to the Falls. OMG that water was COLD! I didn’t even notice the rocks I was stepping on crossing; my feet were numb halfway across. The falls were spectacular. One hiking pole was dropped and had to be retrieved. My hiking pole was missing….left it by the creek while putting my boots back on. Found it when we stopped to take our boots back off to cross back over the creek. I told them any time we stopped to make sure I have it when we take off again, that’s usually Craig’s job.

We stopped for lunch at Thompson’s Overlook and kicked back on the warm rock for a little while. We saw 2 backpackers and 2 hikers on the trail.
Wildflowers seen: bluets, wild strawberry blooms, yellow violets, and trailing arbutus.

It was a 10 mile loop including to side trip to Double Falls which is 2 miles (out and back). There is also another side trail to an abandoned railroad tunnel that would be another option. We hiked past the Group Camp and then along the top of a rock wall and across another small arch.

We drove around the park, Nancy pointed out the cabins that she and her family have spent vacations in, and seeing where all the trailheads are. It’s a really pretty State Park.

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Pickett State Park

The Upper Cumberland TTA chapter hosted a hike at Pickett State Park Saturday. I met up with Pokey Pete and friends at Clarkrange. We met everyone else at the Visitor Center and 13 of us took off onto the snow covered trails. Kathleen our hike leader led us down the Natural Bridge Trail. It was so pretty in the woods with the rhododendron snow covered along with everything else. After crossing the Natural Bridge we slid, skidded and slipped down the steps to get below the bridge to see the under side. It looks pink and with the beautiful sunshine all the icicles were shimmering. The sky was so blue.

We hiked the Hazard Cave Trail, Lake View Trail, then after some snowball tossing, we took a lunch break at one of the park’s lovely cabins. Thanks Kathleen for the shrimp mold and the yummy fudge! Then back to the trails.

We hiked the Island Trail, Lake Trail and decided to check out the Ladder Trail. First ladder, bottom 3 or 4 rungs iced over, 2nd ladder, icy all over. Here we go, oh wow look up! Huge icicles hanging overhead, and melting….don’t sneeze! Everyone made it safely and on we went across the ice and along the bluff. It was a beautiful day for hiking. Thanks again Kathleen! On the drive back toward home, the sun was setting and turning the sky glorious swirling colors. Another beautiful day spent hiking with good friends.

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