Oak Mountain Dayhike, Saturday, January 7, 2012
Oak Mountain State Park, Birmingham, AL
Distance: 10-12 mile loop
Rating: Strenuous
Pace: Moderate
Driving time 2 & 1/2 hours
I can hear Wayne now, “What, drive all the way to Birmingham for a hike!?!?!”
Well, it is as close (if not closer) than much of the Smokies, and this loop hike offers a lot of great scenery without all the bear scat. There will be plenty of heart pounding roller coaster hills, long open wood ridge walking, steep descents, a beautiful lake walk, great long needle pine forests, and maybe an armadillo or two. And if that is not enough, after the hike enjoy some of the best BBQ that Birmingham has to offer at Jim N Nicks! (Or Full Moon, I really can’t decide which is better.) Hike leader is Eric Anderson.
Raccoon Mountain Dayhike, Saturday, January 14, 2012
Raccoon Mountain, TN
Rating: moderate
Distance: about 8 miles
Elevation gain: about 1,000 feet
Driving time: 20 minutes
We did this hike in July and almost collapsed from the heat (well, not quite). If you're overheated this time, it's only because you're wearing too many layers! We'll take the same route, beginning at East Overlook after leaving cars at Laurel Point Picnic Area. First we'll take the East Rim trail, and then the Switchyard and Grindstone Ridge trails will lead us to our break at the visitor center. Continuing from there, the Megawatt trail provides bluffs, river views, and just enough climbing to give us a workout. Weather permitting (not too icy), we'll begin hiking early and anyone interested can join me for BBQ afterwards at Hillbilly Willy's. Hike leader is Elizabeth O'Connor
Rating: Easy
Distance: 1.7 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Pace: Standard
Driving Time: approx. 0.5 hr. each way
The Scenic Spur Trail is located in the Cherokee National Forest. The trail head is on Hwy. 30 about 100 yards from US 64. This is an easy walk to a nice waterfall in the Rock Creek Gorge Scenic Area. During rainy periods the stream and waterfall are flowing full. Although the hike is rated as easy, please be aware there are a couple of stream crossings which could require wading if there has been recent rainfall. During dry periods, these are easy “rock-hops’. Hike leader is Steve Barnes.
Mileage-12.8 miles
Rating-Streneous
Elevation Gain-1300 feet
We will start our hike at the Abrams Falls Ranger station/camp ground. This is a very remote section of the park. This will be an in and out hike with several water crossing, so be prepared. In the past, I haven't had to remove boots. The Cooper Road Trail is an old roadbed that was used as the main entry into Cades Cove. We will follow Cane Creek Trail to the park's boundary and return the same way. We will do a side trail, the Gold Mine Trail for those marking maps. This is an easy, low land hike that receives little use. Hike leader is Wayne Chambers
Prentice Cooper Dayhike, Saturday, February 4, 2012
Distance: Approx. 10 miles
Due to break-ins of vehicles left on Suck Creek Road on a recent Wednesday hike, this hike is being changed from that which was described in the January newsletter to a 10-miles Strenuous in & out hike.
Elsie Holmes Dayhike, Saturday, February 11, 2012
Distance: Approx. 4 miles
In 1997 Ben Holmes of Catoosa County donated 66 acres of land for the creation of a nature park in memory of his late wife Elsie. He didn't want to see the property cleared for housing use, instead choosing to keep it preserved for the good of the county. We will reap the benefit of Mr. Holmes' generosity as we walk along the five different trails in the park.
Hike leader is Kendra Cross.
Lost Creek Dayhike, Saturday, February 18, 2012
Distance: 6 miles
Hike one of the most beautiful sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail that is almost totally unknown to the members of this club. We will begin our hike on FS 103 and follow the BMT downstream (north) to where it leaves beautiful Lost Creek. Then we will return the way we came upstream with a totally different perspective on this beautiful canyon. There will be sheer rock walls, cascades and waterfalls along side but the trail follows and old roadbed with no water crossings other than a couple of side streams. A unique geologic phenomenon has created this limestone slot in an otherwise granite terrain and the color and clarity of the water is remarkable. The hike is classed as moderate due to the rocky terrain and slippery rocks in places. Hike leader is Betty Petty
Distance: 8.5 miles
Our hike will begin from Highway 68 going south. Wewill immediately begin an 800 foot climb of varying degrees over the first two miles. At this point we will follow a narrow ridge, sometimes rocky, where we will see many rock formations including a walk-thru ‘needle’s eye’ and also enjoy many views both east and west (binoculars helpful).
Our destination will be the site of the remains of an airplane crash some years ago. It is about 2-300 feet vlow the trail which requires a steep scramble to get to. I will share details of the crash in which there was a fatality. This site can hardly be seen when the foliage is out or in foggy weather. We will return to a beautiful overlook, have lunch and return to our cars. Hike leader is Boodie Fox (423) 842-1178.
Glen Falls Dayhike, Saturday, February 29, 2012
Distance: 6 miles
Hike leader is John Rowland.
Plan on a true adventure in the Nantahala National Forest as we connect Bob Stratton Bald, Huckleberry Knob, Hooper Bald, Haw Knob, and Whigg Meadow on a grand loop with a considerable amount of off-trail rambling and significant elevation change. The trip leader has not connected all five of these special locations (but he has done most of the route), so the trip will have somewhat of an exploratory nature to it. So, if you are interested in a challenging and strenuous trip, this could be the one for you. Please contact Kurt Emmanuele if you are interested.
Last updated: 29 October 2011
Prentice Cooper State Forest, TN
Rating: Strenuous
Driving Time: 30 minutes
Starting at the Cumberland Trail parking area, we will hike on the Cumberland Trail to the Indian Rock House, and then follow it to the rugged .4 of a mile Spur Trail that will take us to Suck Creek Road (TN Hwy 27). At that point, we will retrace our steps back to the Cumberland Trail parking area.
This is a pretty route, with views of the Tennessee River, streams, cascades, wonderful massive rock formations, 3 hoodoos (chimney rock towers), and Lusk Point Overlook (Lawsons Rock). There will be a few short climbs, and a number of rocky areas where the trail is a bit difficult due some wobbly and/or slippery when wet, slanted rocks. (Trekking poles strongly recommended; water shoes not needed.)
Hike leader is Donald Box
Elsie Holmes Nature Park, Ringgold, GA.
Rating: Easy
Elevation Gain: 200 feet?
Cherokee National Forest near Reliance, TN
Rating: Moderate/Easy
Pace: Standard
Driving time: 1 hr 15 min
Elevation gain: 500 feet
Rating: Moderate
Pace: Standard
Elevation Gain: 800 feet
Driving Time: 1 hr 15 min
Lookout Mountain, TN
Rating: Moderate