TTA Stone Door

Today's hike included Murfreesboro members: Craig, Jennifer and daughter Lizzie, Danielle, and Alex. Soddy Daisy: Lora. CT Volunteers: Don, Carol, TC, Judy, and Caroline.

It was a beautiful hiking day in the snow.  We hiked the Stone Door, Big Creek Rim, and Laurel trails for a total of seven miles. We got our lunch in at the Alum Gap campground. Afterwards some of us and Cindy from Highland Rim chapter went down to see Laurel Falls.

Don gets credit for photo's and most trail maintenance. Jennifer get's most adventurist for walking through the water instead of using the stepping stones. Most active goes to Lizzie, who went down the Stone Door and back. She also got the only fall at Laurel Falls. Lora got most creative for making a snowman.

It was a great day spent with some wonderful people. After hiking Lora and I went over to see Greeter Falls.

Pictures:

Don's Pictures:

Jones Gap Rd - Soddy

Lora and I headed out to hike the new area in Soddy, Jones Gap Road. The have put in a new large parking area just on the other side of the train tracks.

The first part is gravel road going all the way to Board Camp Creek. There are numerous swimming holes through here, a water fall, and a log cabin. We got to see the icicles as well.

When we got to Board Camp Creek we did an old fashioned foot washing to get across. The trail follows a old roadbed along Soddy Creek and soon you pass an old Chimney for a steam plant from days gone by. The roadbed dead ends on Soddy Creek at a campsite set up with tables and all.

We turned around here and headed back to Board Camp Creek. We then followed the old roadbed along Board Camp Creek. Past an old gate in the first switchback there is a waterfall just off the trail. We continued up the mountain passing bluff walls and views to where we found some rock walls. With some exploring off trail we found an old mine shaft. Fifty feet in the shaft split going two different ways. We walked around and found another mine shaft in the same area.

After our find, we headed back down the mountain.  Another old fashion foot washing and on the way out we passed two older gentlemen that told us some history of the area. We checked out the cabin on the way out.

We celebrated a good hiking day with ice cream from Kay's Kastle,

Pictures:

Gilbert Gaul / Link Trail at Fall Creek Falls

Link Trail 3.2
Gilbert Gaul Trail 4.1
Link Trail 3.2
Total Miles: 10.5

Lora and I headed out to Fall Creek Falls to do some trails that we have not done. We started at the Link Trail where it crosses Village Camp Road just inside the South end of the park.

Halfway between Little Fall Creek and Fall Creek Falls lake is Old Corner campsite, a small campsite without water.  It does have an outhouse.

When we got to the lake we found the lake frozen over. There are numerous creek crossings done by rock hopping, but the bridge is out over Fall Creek and they are building a new bridge. So, we had to do an old fashion foot washing in the snow. I was planning on getting a picture of Lora in the creek, but I got caught in a briar while trying to get out of the creek and she was about climbing my back to get out of the creek.

We thawed out as we continued hiking to the Gilbert Gaul trail.  We took it clockwise to the trailhead and then back to the lake. We kicked up a Red tail hawk and pushed him along the lake while we hiked.

The Frazier Rain Shelter looks like an old shelter that has been slowly destroyed over time. There is still a roof and short walls with a bench.

One more time across Fall Creek and then back to the car. On the way out we heard a Great Horned owl calling out.

After hiking we had to take a ride over to the Fall Creek Falls overlook just because we were here.

We got to see deer, a hawk, and hear an owl and the soft whining of Lora as she crossed the creek.

Pictures:

TTA Fall Creek Falls

TTA Fall Creek Falls.
I met up with the Highland Rim folks at the park. When I arrived, there was a group of people gathered at the Nature Center with Ranger Matt, so I had to see what was going on. He had a work day project to carry lumber to the Lower loop trail to a swampy section that needs a bridge or walkway. It was good to see so many young people volunteering.

 Joan had scheduled a day full of seeing as many attractions as we could see before dark. We started out at the big falls and hiking down to the base of. The temps were still chilly but we warmed up even going down. The base of the falls were covered with ice; so pretty. Lots of folks coming and going on this trail. When we got back to the top we hiked the trail along the gorge to the Nature Center. We stopped at the Rocky Point overlook for lunch, but the wind was whipping and we went back to the top to finish lunch. At the suspension bridge lots of folks were in line to go across. One lady had a monkey, even it was wearing a coat. The dogs in the park were totally confused by the strange looking "dog" and took a wide path around. Getting back across the bridge took awhile standing in line. We hiked back to the big falls and then took a drive around the gorge to all the overlooks. We had to check them all out, Millikan's and Buzzard Point are awesome. Then on to Piney Falls, my favorite. 

It was a beautiful day to visit the park, and nice folks to hike with.  

Pictures:

Standing Stones

Lora and I did some more exploring on our mountain.  She had told me about the standing stones and stories told that grandparents used to have dances on them back in the wagon days.  Not real sure where they were, we started on the Hendon Fire Tower road.  Between her memory and descriptions we hunted till we found them. They are about a mile and a half North of the road on top of a ridge overlooking the Sequatchie Valley. There are two of these rock formations about twenty yards apart.

From there we went on up to the fire tower.  They have removed the first flight of stairs, landings, and the floor of the top to keep people from climbing it.

Pictures:

Piney Falls SNA / Soak Creek SNA

Piney Falls 2.0 miles
Soak Creek roadbed 6.8 miles

Lora and I went to Piney Falls SNA off Firetower Road on Grandview Mountain. They have a kiosk, but nothing on it.  Luckily, we printed a map off from the computer.

We followed the trail to a split at a campsite.  We went left following the signs for the bottom of Upper Piney Falls.  The trail split again for a trail to the 40' Lower Piney falls.  We went to check it out and then came back up. Pretty Falls.

We continued the trail around to the bottom of the 80' Upper Piney falls. The falls were covered with ice so we could not follow the trail behind the falls.  We found a way back up to the top and then crossed the creek and followed the trail along the top of the falls to a rope trail going to the bottom. A view from the other side.

Next on the agenda was Soak Creek off of Shut In Gap road.  After you cross the bridge over Piney Creek there is a parking area on the right side.  There is an old road bed that follows Soak Creek.  It does not got all the way to Stinging Fork Falls, but it is close.  We figured 3.4 miles. Lots of bluff walls and areas for setting up tents.

Pictures:

Cotton Patch Loop - Big South Fork

Day one: 7.6
Cotton Patch Loop

Day two: 6.8
Cotton Patch Loop 2.9
Split Bow Arch overlook 0.6
Split Bow Arch Trail 0.7
Bear Creek Overlook 0.6
Road Walk 2.0

Total Miles: 14.4

We headed to Kentucky to do the Cotton Patch Loop in the Big South Fork.  We started at the Slavens Branch Trailhead.  You walk down the road and turn on to the Cotton Patch Loop.  You start right off heading down for your first of five water crossings.  You are in and out of creek gorges and a lot of flat areas of hardwoods.  This trail is all old roadbed.  The one extremely steep area with a warning sign, they have build a handicap ramp for the horses.  You do go up and down a lot but it is not a strenuous hike. Beautiful area to hike.

We collected water out of the Tapley Branch and set up camp in a flat area just before the Bear Creek Loop intersection.  It was a really nice evening to stand around a campfire!  We set up our hammocks and enjoyed the evening. Lora had spotted an Great Horned Owl on our way out of Bear Creek Gorge and we got to listen to one at camp.  We also heard a Screech Owl.

The next morning we turned up the roadbed at the Bear Creek Loop trailhead and hiked a mile up to see Split Bow Arch Overlook. We then hiked 0.2 back to hike the 0.7 Split Bow Arch trail, and the 0.3 Bear Creek Overlook. The Split Bow Arch is an impressive 50'x34' arch and the trial goes through it.
From there we walked 0.8 back to our trail and headed down to Bear Creek again.  This time next to the Cumberland River.  We saw the old water gauging system next to the river.

This crossing is the deepest of the creek crossings and we were knee deep in it.  Might wanna watch it in rainy weather. From here you climb back to rim level and back to the car.  Another great hike.

Pictures:

Wilderness Wildlife Week

I had two days off  so I drove to Pigeon Forge to hook up with Craig's mom and dad. They volunteer for this event so Carol wanted to show me around. There were so many programs to choose from! I listened to Stephen Bales from Ijams talk about identifying local birds of prey. Carol found me after that so we went together to TWRA's talk about their successes and challenges managing Tennessee's wildlife.

Next was winter nature observations by Joel Zachery, who was very entertaining. Then we checked in on the Beginning Clogging class by the 80 something year old instructors JK and Doris Patton. Carol is going to help out with tomorrow's class. Phew! just trying to keep up, we ran on to listen to retired Ranger Joe Kelly tell us GSM History you May Not Know. Really good! Then we found Jim in time for the Hike Sign Up. This is a lottery system to be fair for folks wanting to go on the hikes and bus trips.

Then a quick bite to eat and on to the night time show. Store Britches, a historical comedy that was first performed in 1936, celebrating our Appalachian Heritage.
Since the ice cream shop was already closed by then, we headed to the hotel for a much deserved good night's sleep....after mapping out the next day's itinerary.

Wednesday

I had signed up for a 13.5 mile hike to Sugarland Mt, led by Marty Silver. If you get the Tennessee Conservationist magazine, this month's cover shots are his. He is a Ranger at Warrior's Path SP. Since Newfound Gap road was closed due to snow, plan B for the hike was Rocky Top. Since that road was also closed this morning, Plan C is now Cosby and Mt. Camerer, since that road IS open. 7 hikers and 2 Rangers, 11 miles and lots of snow. It was a beautiful winter wonderland. Ranger Marty led us onward and upward, pointing out tracks in the snow, moss, lichens, trees. Wonderful hike, glad to meet new hiking friends.

Back at the LeConte Center, I found Carol at the clogging event to let her know I was off the trail and heading home. I am so glad I finally made it to the Wilderness Wildlife Week. If you haven't been, you should put it on your calender. Next year it will be in May instead of January.

Pictures:

Stringer's Ridge Park / Chattanooga Aquarium

We went to Chattanooga today to explore a new park to us.  The Stringer's Ridge Park is just off Hwy 27.  There are lots of trails here.  Most of the trails are bike / hike trails.  We started at the Cherokee Trailhead and did about all the trails in the park. About 4.8 miles. All of the trails are up and down across the mountain top.  There are some old remnants of houses and an overlook.

After we were done hiking, we decided to head to the Aquarium and check it out.  It is amazing at how many different God's creations that there are.  Very nice and a good time.

Pictures:

Curry Mountain Trail

Jan 17
Smoky Mountains 2 day hiking trip

Day 1: Curry Mt...3.3, 
Meigs Mountain...1.9,
Lumber Ridge...4.0, 
the 'M' trail...0.3,
Spruce Flat Falls...2.0.  
Total...11.5

Day 2: Jakes Creek...0.4,
Meigs Mountain...6.0,
Meigs Creek...3.5
Total...9.9

I met Lillian in Townsend for 2 days of hiking adventures. We drove to the Smoky Mt Institute to leave a shuttle car, then on to Metcalf Bottoms to start day one. The Curry Mountain Trail follows an old logging road thru different types of forest, even a rhododendron tunnel. We saw some stone walls and piles of rocks, old chestnut stumps, lots of vines twining and twisting up into the treetops. After the junction with Meigs Mountain trail we stopped at a cemetery then to the Lumber Ridge Trail. It started as a pretty level walk then uphill to Lumber Ridge. As we hiked down the ridge toward the Institute we watched for a trail to Spruce Flat Falls. We found a trail labeled M and decided to investigate. It turned into an obstacle course with trees to climb over and around and a skinny little path that narrowed as we went along. When it started to drop steeply down we decided to turn around. This must be a training course for the more adventurous. The closer we came to the Institute the more folks we saw on the trail. We laughed when we saw the sign for the falls. Lots of folks on this trail. Short walk from the Institute, good trail, pretty waterfall. After we collected the car from Metcalf bottoms we headed toward Townsend and the McBride Bed and Breakfast, and supper, and a shower, and some cough medicine. 

After breakfast with Mom and Dad McBride we scraped the ice off our windshield and headed back to the Park and Little River Road. We left a car at the Sinks, then on to Elkmont to our trailhead, only we missed the turn??? and turned around at Sugarlands and headed back to Elkmont to our trailhead. We walked past the old homes on the Jakes Creek Trail then on to Meigs Mountain. We passed a couple of campsites and a couple having a glass of wine at one of them. The book says one campsite used to be an orchard and a garden. We saw some old iron pieces that could have been from an engine or maybe a tractor. The other campsite used to have a house, barn and smokehouse here. Then on the the Meigs Creek Trail. It didn't take long to find the first of many creek crossings. The first two weren't too bad, the third, I changed into my water shoes. Lillian make it across, crossing thru rhodo branches on both sides of the creek and rock hopping. On the fourth crossing, she pulled off her boots and did an old fashioned foot washing; barefoot hiking to the next crossing. Boots back on her cold feet, she managed to rock hop the rest of the 18 crossings. I kept my crocs on until no more creek crossings. My oh my that water was COLD! A little uphill to get us warm again, then down, down to the Sinks. There were 4 young people playing around the creek at the bottom of the hill. One guy had a squiggly black salamander to show for his muddy digging. We made it to the trailhead in good time and back to Elkmont to get the other car. 

Two beautiful days of hiking in the Smoky Mountains. 

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