Dry Creek Falls Trail

 

Ranger Stuart Carroll led us on the new segment of trail in the Bridgestone Natural Reserve Area. It connects with Dog Cove Trail and Lost Creek Trail. We met in the parking lot for Lost Falls and cave and shuttled to the Dog Cove Trailhead not too far away. It's a pretty trail with rock features and two waterfalls. Found lots of huckleberries along the way, a cool beetle, a hornet nest and lots of fungi. And still some pretty wildflowers. There wasn't a lot of water at the waterfalls but still pretty. Had a late lunch at the second falls. 12 hikers counting the Ranger and one dog. 

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Barren River Lake SP

Did a four night trip up to Barren River Lake SP in Kentucky. Random search North out of the rain pattern paid off. We got there on a Wednesday afternoon with a light rain coming in shortly after we arrived. We did get all set up in the dry. We walked the campground that evening and did a driving tour of the park facilities. We found blackberries!

Thursday we got up and hiked half of their bike trail up to the Peters Creek trail and back. Then after lunch we took the canoe out and went West along the State Park up to the beach area and back. After that was a little sunning and some swimming. Campfire that night.

Friday we got up and hiked the other half of their bike trail. We searched out the horse trails and found out that they no longer keep those trails up. So we hiked the rest of the bike trail and saw two different owls and a hawk. After lunch we lazied up to the lake and relaxed. Campfire in the evening.

Saturday we went to the Brigadoon State Natural Preserve and walked their one mile trail. After that we went to Paradise Point Marketplace which is a tourest trap filled with all kinda stuff. Interesting place to stop by. Back at camp we found that our canoe had been moved and lucky for us who ever used it returned and tied it to a tree. So we paddled under the bridge and along the shore line for a lunch. Then we paddled back. Afternoon lazying by the lake. Campfire in the evening.

Sunday after our morning walk around the campground finishing off the blackberries, we packed up and headed home.

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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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Morgan Creek segment of the CT

Today's hike was at Laurel Snow Pocket Wilderness checking out the new segment of Cumberland trail going to Morgan Creek. We hiked to the new Morgan Creek bridge and then a little further to see the mines. This segment, when completed will go to Hwy 30. Our excitement today was seeing a Mink carrying it's baby up the creek towards us.

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Stone Door TTA

Tony Jones led us on a wonderful hike at Stone Door. We went to the door which included an up and down the stairs, then off to Alum Gap campground for lunch. From there we took Laurel trail back to the Ranger station and did the Laurel Falls loop trail. 

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Dayton Canoe trip

 

Lora and I did a canoe trip in Dayton around the park area. We saw lots of wildlife and wildflowers. We didn't get all the turtles, cyote, and birds on film. 

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Devils Breakfast Table TTA

 

Deb led a great hike on the CT today. 16 hikers started, the short hike folks turned back before the first overlook. We started at the bridge where the Devils Breakfast Table is on Daddy's Creek. The bridge is closed to vehicle traffic, support under the bridge looks like its crumbling and a couple boards are missing.  The trail is mostly on the bluff overlooking the creek, with spur trails to gorgeous overlooks of the creek gorge. We walked along beside and between huge boulders, walked under a huge rockhouse. Had lunch at one of the overlooks enjoying the beautiful view. Saw a newt and box turtle and just a few wildflowers. 7.6 miles not counting the spur trails. 

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Hendersonville NC with TTA

We attended the TTA Spring gathering in Hendersonville NC. We had a great time with wonderful friends. We left Tuesday and stayed at the Red Gates Tent and RV park with the trailer. The TTA was staying at the Kanuga Inn. 

Day one we had signed up for the long hike with Betsy. We went to the Dupont State Recreational Forest and hiked the Five Falls Loop 11.2 miles. We saw the Winter Green, Grassy Creek, High, Triple, and Hooker Falls. After the hike we met the other hikers and had dinner at Haus Heidelberg German Restaurant in Hendersonville. 

Day two we had signed up for the moderate hike with Tom. Cat Gap to John Rock trail 5.6 miles. A beautiful hike along the Davidson river and up the mountain to the John Rock amazing overlook. Afterwards we visited Looking Glass Falls and Sliding Falls.

Day three we had signed up for the long hike with Betsy. We went to Gorges State Park and hiked to Rainbow and Turtleback falls. We watched the crazy locals slide down Turtleback. After that hike we took the short hike to Upper Bearwallow falls. After that we headed south to the Upper Whitewater falls. On the way back to the camper we stopped and checked out Toxaway Falls along Hwy 64.

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Moccasin Creek Segment CT

 

Today we checked out the new Moccasin Creek segment of the Cumberland Trial. We parked at the Moccasin creek bridge on Pine Creek Road. You walk back up the road a hundred yards on the East side of the creek to start the trail. It's three miles long right now. The rockwork that they did for the rocky areas were AMAZING. There is a nice camping area at the confluence of Moccasin Creek and Piney creek with a good swimming hole. On down the trail you climb up to a great view of the creek gorge. The trail ends as you drop back down into the gorge. 

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Cumberland Trail Hwy 30 to overlook

We checked out the new segment of trail from Hwy 30 to the overlook of Morgan Creek Gulf. We parked by the guard rail on 30 and crossed over to the trail. I climbs up a bluff wall and then is pretty easy hiking all the way to the overlook of the Gulf. A little over a mile.

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