Ijams Nature Center

North Cove Trail
River Trail
Toll Creek Loop
Tharp Trace 1.1
Pink Marble Trail 0.4
Imerys Trail 0.75
Ross Marble Quarry Loop 0.25
Hayworth Hollow 0.1
Amber Trail 1.4
Hickory Trail 0.75
South Cove Trail
Beech Trail
Universal Trail

Lora and I decided to do a little hiking, so downtown Knoxville we went. Where else would you go to see some good nature? We went to the seed swap at Ijams Nature Center. Once a year they get together and do a wildflower seed swap at the visitor center. They also have cookies and apple juice.

Ijams Nature Center was started by the Ijams family who started with just their house. Now it has grown to a 275 acre natural area with hiking trails, a museum / zoo, shop, and class rooms. They have a Red Tail Hawk and Turkey Buzzard in cages too. The Will Skelton Greenway passes through it along Island Home Ave.

After we went to the seed swap and collected the goods, we hit the trail. We took the North Cove Trail to the River trail, which goes through the woods to a board walk that is along a bluff wall on the Tennessee River. We took a side loop trail along Toll Creek and then headed to the Mead's Quarry Lake. This is a 25 acre lake which fills in the old rock quarry. They have a trail that goes all the way around it. There is one overlook that you can see Mt. LaConte over in the Smokey's. From there we took the Pink Marble Trail that leads down to the lake and a observation deck and cave.

After that we hiked the Imerys Trail, which is a gravel road, to the Ross Marble Quarry. Here they have a large rock bridge with a key hole at the bottom that you can go through and down to the bottom of the quarry. Then we hiked the Hayworth Hollow trail down into a Quarry gorge to some caves.

The Amber Trail and Hickory Trail wrap back and forth though the woods and wetlands. These trails were built by the Appalachian Mountain Bike Club. We hiked back on the South Cove Trail and Beech Trail to the Universal Trail.

This park is very popular and is dog friendly. We saw more different types of dogs that you would see at a dog show. We had a great day and enjoyed the trails. When we got back to the visitor center, they had the Red Tail Hawk out and were giving a class about it so we stopped and listened.

Pictures:

Dale Hollow Lake Eagle Watch

According Bluff Trail 7.5 miles
Day one: 4 miles
Day two: 11 miles

Lora and I decided to attend the Dale Hollow Lake Eagle Watch put on by the Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They take you out on a barge to see the bald eagles of Dale Hollow Lake. It's a three hour ride they do for free. The Friends of Dale Hollow Lake serve refreshments while your out on the water.

After we got to the lake we found out that the Tennessee Trails Association were doing a four mile hike after the tour. This is a beautiful lake and has the largest small mouth bass record.

We all got on the barge and we headed out. They had a small spotter boat from the Kentucky State Police that helped out finding the Eagles. It didn't take long and they had us hooked up. We got to see five different eagles and a couple of hawks while we were out.

After the trip, we ate lunch and then joined the TTA for a hike on the Accordian Bluff Trail starting on the Willow Grove side. We hiked two miles in and then back out. After saying good-bye, Lora and I headed to the Cove Creek primitive camping area. They have 34 primitive camping areas, most of which you need a boat to get to. Yes, we did have a few concerned citizens about us camping out in "this type of weather?" We had a great time sitting by the campfire looking at the stars and listening to the owls talk. We were only disturbed a minute by some young teens that drove down to the ramp to be loud and then drove off. Sometime in the night a ranger or police drove through. I told Lora it was one of the rangers loosing a bet on us.

The next morning we went back to the Lillydale Recreation Area and hiked the Accordian Bluff Trail the opposite way so that we could get the whole trail in. We only got a few inlets over from the campground when we saw our first Eagle. As we were watching it fly, another eagle flew up. Soon another eagle joined them and they started flying off across the lake. Another eagle flew up and was circling around where the others had come from. It was amazing just to watch them fly. As we hiked on another eagle was circling around.

We continued down the trail which goes along the side of the lake. When we stopped for lunch, two red tail hawks flew over us and circled for a while. After we started down the trail again we saw a large Great Horned Owl. He would fly a little ways down the trail and then wait for us to catch up, then fly again. We continued. About half way down the trail there are two out houses off the side of the trail. They are on top of a ridge and we were trying which committee decided to place these here. There is nothing around them.

Finally we got to the place where we hiked the day before and we headed back. On the way back we got to see the owl again. We also had three different red headed woodpeckers put on a show for us. When we thought we had been blessed enough for one day, a Bald Eagle flew in and landed in a tree right next to us. Wow, what a hike. We got to see another hawk and another eagle on the way out.

Pictures:

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.

Pictures:

Springer Mountain Approach Trail

Day One:
Appalachian Approach Trail 1 Mile
East Ridge Trail 1 Mile
Day Two:
Appalachian Approach Trail 9.5 Miles
Day Three:
Appalachian Approach Trail 2 Miles
Hike Inn Trail 6 Miles
Total: 19.5 Miles

Lora and I decided to travel to Georgia and check out Springer Mountain, the start of the Appalachian trail. We headed to Amicalola Falls State Park in Georgia where the Appalachian Approach Trail begins. It rained all the night before and all of our first day and into the night. Knowing that the rain was called for, we reserved a campsite at the campground where we could have hot showers.

After we arrived at the park and got checked in, we set up our tent and went hiking. We hiked down the 604 step staircase next to the 729 foot Amicalola Falls which is actually part of the Appalachian Approach Trail. We hike to the Visitor center and then hiked the East Ridge trail back up to the top of the falls. After that we made us some dinner and called it a night.

It finally quit raining sometime in the night and we got up, made breakfast, took a hot shower and then hit the trail. The weather was great for hiking and we saw many hikers on the trail. As the day went on the colder it got and the wind got stronger. We stopped just before Black Gap shelter for lunch and aired out equipment that was wet from the rain yesterday.

After lunch we hiked up Springer Mountain and got to see the first blaze on the Appalachian trail. It was extremely cold and windy at the summit. We hiked on to the shelter. This was the first shelter I have seen like this. It had a main floor with pegs for backpacks and then a ladder that took you up to a sleeping loft.

We checked out the two campgrounds and could not find a campsite out of the wind. A vote was taken and we hiked back down to Black Gap for the night.

After we found a place out of the wind, we set up the tent and got a campfire going. It was a beautiful night as the sky's cleared and the stars put on a show.

We got up the next morning and took the Hike Inn Trail to the Len Foote Hike Inn which is an Inn that you have to hike to since there are no roads. We stopped by to check it out. The staff was very friendly. They gave us a tour and let us have a snack and drink. We had an apple cornbread with honey that was outstanding. If you stay there they feed you dinner and breakfast doing it home style.

From there we hiked back to the car. We took pictures of the falls and the lodge since it was raining on the first day. To wet for the camera and the lodge was in a cloud.

It was a wonderful hike and we got to climb the famous Springer Mountain.

Pictures:

Savage Gulf 10 mile loop

Savage Day Loop
North Rim Trail
Mountain Oak Trail
Big Tree Loop
North Plateau Trail
Savage Day Loop
Total Loop: 10 Miles

Lora and I got to do a little hiking. We were going to do an overnighter at Hobb's Cabin, but the weathermen talked us out of it saying that it was going to rain all day Thursday. Once again they were wrong.

It was a snow hike and we were not alone as there were many backpackers out that were coming back from Hobb's and going to Hobb's Cabin. It's great to see people enjoying the outdoors and using the TN State Parks.

Pictures:

White Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful family gathering this year. My Brother, sisters, and their families gathered at Mom and Dads for Christmas. Grandma was already there and Aunt Linda, Rick and Austin joined in for the celebration.

The stocking were hung on the banister with care, in the hopes that Saint Nicholas would soon be there. There might have been a spotting of the scrooge, but the love of the family gathered together proved stronger.

There was lots of snow in the Tennessee mountains meaning sledding, snowmen, snow angels, and snowballs. There were snow hikes, eating, singing, dancing, and card playing. There might have been some eating done as there were pounds and pounds of food everywhere.

Lora and I were blessed with a few extra family gatherings as her Dad's family had one and then we got to celebrate Christmas with her family at her Mom's and Dads with her sister and nephew.

The time flew by fast and soon everyone was to depart, but the memories will stay true forever in our hearts.

Pictures:

After Thanksgiving

The day after Thanksgiving we headed over to my folks place. They took us to Dollywood where we spent the day taking in some wonderful shows. This is a Christmas must for anyone that can make it there during the season.

The next day we got up, ate breakfast, rearranged the furniture, and went hiking. Lora, who is always making sure I look good, forgot our hiking shoes so we hiked in our Sunday best. She had takin them to the truck, laid them down on a bail of straw and put everything else in the truck.

We hiked from Abrams creek campground up Cooper road and back. After successfully crossing the many water crossings on the way up the trail, Dad showed us how to cross them the manly way on the way back. Yea, it was wet, but he crossed it. Not to be outshown by my Dad, I got both feet wet on the last crossing.

It's always a great time with my parents.

Pictures:

Fiery Gizzard Trail

Day One:
Fiery Gizzard Trail 8.1
Day Two:
Fiery Gizzard Trail 4.4
Grundy Forest Day Loop 1.3
Grundy Lakes State Park 1.3

Lora and I decided to do an overnight hike at the South Cumberland Recreation Area. I had not hiked the Fiery Gizzard trail from Foster Falls to Raven Point. I did not think that I had been to Foster Falls until I saw it. I had done some repelling here about ten years ago with the volunteers.

I wanted to impress Lora right off. We made it about ten steps going down to the bottom of the falls, when I twisted my ankle and went to my knees. That hurt! I picked up what was left of my pride and we continued on.

At the bottom of the falls we took the Climbers Loop along the bluff wall. This is a mile long wall that is well known across the states as a place for wall climbers. They were hanging everywhere and the wall was covered in chalk where they had climbed before. It is amazing where these guys go, even upside down.

We climbed back to the top and enjoyed a couple of different overlooks as we continued our hike. This is a pretty easy section of hike other than the drop into Laurel Gorge and back out.

We stopped at the Anderson Falls which is an 80 foot drop water fall with a set of wood steps to the bottom. Right at two hundred of those steps our muscles counted on the way back up. This is the last water before Raven Point campground where we stayed the night.

Raven point campground has six sites and is located on private property which we found out means you cannot have a campfire here. It worked out as the weather was beautiful and we even left the rain fly off the tent so we could enjoy the stars and full moon.

All the sites except two were taken up by the Boy Scouts. We did hike out to see the sunset from Raven Point and get our hearts racing everytime a Boy Scout went out by the edge of the drop off.

The next morning we hiked the hard part of the trail from Raven point to the Grundy Forest Picnic Shelter. While going down into the Gulf, Lora decided to show me an Outcast short cut. As we were trying to get back up to the trail, she did a little dance with a twist on the side of the drop off, where I grabbed her by the pack before she did the final dismount. She was quite impressive to watch, but I didn't want to see the end.

We decided to include the day loop at the end of the trail since neither of us had hiked it before. There are a couple of more water falls on this section of the trail.

On our drive back through Tracy City we had to stop by the Dutch Made Bakery for a celebration. Well, they just happen to be serving a lunch buffet at the time and well you know.....

After waddling out of the Dutch Made Bakery, we decided that we should walk off a little of that food. We drove to Grundy Lakes State Park and hiked around the lakes. We were impressed by all the Coke Ovens there and there is a lot of history. Once again to impress Lora, I hung a toe on a tree stump and pretty much just fell on her. Luckily she held me up so I didn't hit the ground.

Pictures:

TTA Hike

The TTA Annual Meeting was held at Pickwick Landing State Park and was hosted by the Memphis and Jackson chapters. I had never hiked in this area of Tennessee so I decided to check it out. Craig and I drove to Eagleville on Friday where Marco treated us to a nice evening with a fire and cough medicine.

I got up REALLY early to start the drive to Pickwick. Got to Pickwick around 6:30 and registered. Found lots of hiking friends to say Hi to then found the breakfast line with all the hikers fueling up for their hikes.

My hike for the day was at Cane Creek Nature Preserve. 31 of us loaded into cars and had a caravan heading to Tuscumbia, Alabama. This property is privately owned by a lovely couple, the Lacefields, who welcome hikers, free of charge, to come see the beauty of the area. There are overlooks, waterfalls, rock walls, so much to see and enjoy. 413 acres and about 11 miles of trails with camping areas. They will provide a map that you’ll need to return to them when you come off the trails. Thanks to our hike leader Sara Hakim for a great hike.

The rain started after we got back to the Inn at Pickwick .After a good meal, we headed into the TTA Conference room for a final look at the silent auction items to see if we had been outbid. Then came the awards ceremony, and chapter reports, and the big auction. Some very cool items were up for bid; I scored with a big box full of nuts and dried fruit and chocolate covered stuff, good for lots of hikes!

Sunday morning dawned clear and pretty. Great day for a hike at Big Hill Pond. Eleven of us loaded up and headed west behind hike leader Wayne Simpson. Big Hill Pond is a really pretty park. Starting at the boat ramp we hiked the trail following the lake, Board Walk Trail and the trail to the Tower. There was a good view from the tower, worth the climb. We ate lunch there and then followed the Tuscumbia Trail to the junction leading back to the lake. Got into some areas that could have used a few logs or maybe another boardwalk. It was a great day and a great hike.

Off the trail, got a text from Craig from 2 hours ago saying the Outcasts had arrived and were starting out on the trail. Yep, there’s Marco’s truck with the Outcasts sticker on it.
Time for the drive home. Pretty drive back to Pikeville; got to see all the farmland I had missed in the dark Saturday morning. It was dark by the time I hit the ‘Boro, then 2 more hours driving. It was a great weekend and well worth the drive to West Tennessee to get to see everybody and make new friends. Thanks to Memphis and Jackson chapters for a well planned Annual Meeting. It was a lot of fun.

Cumberland Trail-Grassy Cove Segment

Day One:6.5
Brady Mountain 6.5 miles
Day Two: 8.45
Brady Mountain 1.25
Road Hike 0.7
Black Mountain 3.8
Black Mountain Loop 1.7
Outcast Shortcut 1
Total:14.95

Lora and I headed out to hike the Grassy Cove Segment of the Cumberland trail. This section includes Brady Mountain and Black Mountain.

Once again with the Cumberland trail area, you need to visit the website and print off the map and trail description. They assume you know the roads in this area or they are for local people only. They don't put street signs up.

After a little confusion we made it to the top of Black Mountain to leave a car. After that we drove to the Jewett Road trailhead to begin our hike. By the way, Jewett road is gravel back hill driving.

The trail is pretty well marked and clear. It has some good climbs that build character. The first overlook you come to is the Donnelly overlook. It's a smaller rock overlook that you can see Bear Den Mountain from. Lost overlook is more impressive and you can see Grassy Cove down below. None of the overlooks are marked and you really have to be looking for them.

Next, when the four wheeler trail heads off to your left and the trail goes straight, follow the four wheeler trail and look off the side of the mountain and you will see the plane wreckage. It's a very steep climb down the side if you want to take pictures.

Brady Mountain arch is a small arch on top of a bolder. We were not impressed, but the rocks around them are interesting to look at. The Brady Bluff Overlook is on another unmarked trail and this is a great overlook. You can see the Smoky Mountains, the Nuclear plant on the Tennessee River to the south and the twin stacks to the north. We ate our lunch and spent some quality time here.

From Brady Bluff Overlook we started hiking down the mountain. We had four big gobblers walk in front of us strutting their stuff. We found us a place to spend the night and then watched the sun set over the Cumberland Mountains.

The next morning we hiked the other mile and a quarter down to the road and then hiked the .7 miles from one trailhead to the other. We stopped at a house and knocked on the door to see if we could borrow some water from the tap. With no answer we started filling our water bladders. Of course then someone comes to the door wanting to know what we are doing. They didn't mind, so we finished and headed down the road.

From the road to Windless Cave is pretty clear hiking along an old road bed. The only thing that throws you off is the Cumberland trail signs. They point in the wrong direction on two different intersections.

We entered Windless Cave and explored back about thirty yards. After that we started the steep climb up Black Mountain. We saw our first hikers when we got to the designated campsite. When we got to the rock bluff we saw some people repelling and then when we climbed the stairs we started to see lots of people on the loop trail.

We hiked to the Southern Overlook and had lunch. From there we hiked to the Spring House and Remnants of old homes for some pictures. We hiked to the car, dropped our packs, and then hiked what we thought was the loop. When we came back to the stairs we realised that we ended up in the wrong spot. We climbed the stairs and took the northern loop. The Northern overlook is not as impressive as there are a lot of trees in the view. Then we hiked back to the Remnants of the old homes and found why we missed the trailhead. It's not marked and it's overgrown.

We did have beautiful weather and enjoyed the hike.

Pictures: