We got a most pleasant day for the last hike of 2007 on a section of the John Muir Trail which is also a section of the Benton-MacKaye Trail. It was preceded by a full day of rain on Friday which created some puddles and one small stream on this otherwise dry trail. This trail runs upstream on the north side of the beautiful Hiwassee River. When we started we saw the river as it might have looked in John Muir’s time when he walked beside it in mid September. Soon however, TVA began releasing water and it rose to what would have been in those days, a near flood stage. The first three miles of this trail is fairly easy walking except for a short rocky section near the middle. In the past when the club has done this hike, they have turned around at the Big Bend parking area at the end of the three miles, but we continued on for another 1.2 miles to the Towee Creek parking area. This section is never out of sight of the road but has an interesting scramble up to the top of the bluff where there is a beautiful view of the river. Owing to the rain, the rocks overhanging the trail at this point were ‘weeping’ and the scramble was a little muddy and slick rather than dry as it had been when I scouted the trail. Several elected to turn back rather than attempt this climb. Those of us who made it to the top walked the short remaining distance to the Towee Creek area where we had lunch at the picnic tables. Most of us returned via the trail, but a few more decided to road walk back rather than go back over the ‘scramble’.
We were accompanied by Randy Morris who is the president of the Cherokee Hiking Club and also a member of our club. The Cherokee Hiking Club maintains this trail beautifully. Others on this hike were Heidi and Kenn Wilhemnsen, Patti Giles, Doug Cooper, Bob and Jane Anne Seal, Boodie Fox, Jon Bell, Carolyn Perry, Faye and Melvin Nunez, John Rowland, Kendra Cross, new member Rose Chacko and hike leader Betty Petty.

We got the kind of day we had hoped for up on Monteagle Mountain behind the University of the South near Sewanee Twelve of us left from the Equestrian Center and after a short walk to KA Point where we intersected the Perimeter Trail, we headed SW enjoying overlooks, lakes (almost dry), a forestry cabin (used for camping) and the site of King’s Farm before strolling down the wide pine needled Parallel Trail back to our starting point.
We didn’t exactly find the solution to the ‘puzzlings’ of many white papers sticking up out of the ground and throughout the woods, strategically placed plastic baskets, a metal container heavily chained to a tree or acres of small colored flags on the forest floor For the best of theories contact Donald Box. Joining us in the middle of the hike were former club member Dick McClure and Sewanee resident Eric Wilson. Other hikers were Chris Rolen and son, Nathan, Kathy Ryan, Jon Bell, Joe Terringer, Patti Giles, Donna Day, Heidi Wilhelmsen, Spears McAllister, Donald Box, Carol and Boodie Fox, hike leader.

This was the tenth year for our early morning hike on the Brainerd Levee. We had a very pleasant day for our hike and the temperature was probably in the upper forties by the time we got off the trail and headed for the IHOP for breakfast. Our all-time record of seventeen for this hike included the following: Monty Simmons, Bob Fanning, Shirley Jones, Paulette Reynolds, Calvin Watson, Jon Bell, Lin-Fa Lee, Joe Teringer, Kate Teringer, David Teringer, John Rowland, Boodie Fox, Carol Fox, Faye Nunez, Carolyn Perry, Harold Wilkey, and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

We set off in the morning chill at a brisk pace from the Chickamauga Dam and its array of great blue herons. Our walk paused only slightly as the sun warmed us. It was a beautiful morning along the Riverpark, and it seemed like we were in the bluffview arts district in no time. We snagged a few outdoor tables at Rembrandt's, and enjoyed an excellent lunch. After lunch, several of us didn't want to move out of our sun-warmed chairs. Some hikers ended their hike here. Others walked back, and Chris rode his mountain bike, which he had staged nearby. We saw many bicyclists this morning; one familiar rider passed us three times: Lin-Fa. Enjoying the fresh air today were Ryan Shafer, Carolyn Perry, Faye Nunez, Donna Ruiz, Kathy Ryan, Boodie and Carol Fox, Kathy Fulton, Jon Bell, Spears McAllester, Sharon Anderson, Shirley Jones, Wendy Gunn, Owen Holbrook, Chris and Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting.

As of the day before, it appeared we would have a dozen people for this outing. Then a few people had to cancel. However, following a beautiful sunrise, Ralph agreed to lead the remaining group after I bailed out. He left a couple of TWRA people who were at the Ocoee National Forest Ranger Station wondering when he and his crew pulled in, took tools from the Ranger’s tool box, and left.
Ralph and crew used the beautiful day to work their way up the Licklog Ridge Trail, to, and then part way down the Rough Creek Trail, clearing growth and sawing out a few trees. This productive group was comprised of Betty Petty, Terry Smith, Joe Teringer, Ralph VanPelt, Amy Veath, Heidi Wilhelmsen, and Caroline Woerner. Donald Box, reporting (and thanking Ralph)

After a few cancellations at the last minute, three of us started the 50+ mile adventure in the park on Wednesday, Nov. 21. We enjoyed the old rock walls and chimneys along the Old Settler’s Trail to campsite 33. Dinner and conversation were curtailed by a welcomed rain in the early evening.
The next day on a misty Thanksgiving, we again were impressed by the finely-crafted rock walls as we finished the Old Settler’s Trail and reached the Maddron Bald Trail intersection. As this point, one member of the group who was experiencing a medical condition decided to exit the park via the Maddron Bald Trail and return home.
The remaining two members of the group ascended the Gabes Mountain Trail and reached chilly campsite 34 right before dark. A quick meal was closely followed by submergence into our warm sleeping bags in order to escape the rapidly cascading temperatures. Freezing temperatures and a light covering of snow greeted us on Friday morning. After making the climb over Gabes Mountain and viewing the low volume flow of Henwallow Falls, the trip leader eventually caught up to his cold partner in the Cosby campground. Rather than braving an even colder night and a more than 3000 foot climb over Maddron Bald to campsite 29, my remaining partner decided to hitchhike to Cosby, find someone to take him to Knoxville, and then take a bus back to Chattanooga.
That left the trip leader as the sole remaining member of the party to climb back into the mountains and the waiting winter wonderland of hoarfrost coating the trees and shrubs. Reaching the snowy campsite just before dark, I was surprised that my cousin from Knoxville was waiting for me and had not elected to remain in his warm, comfortable home. Because “warm” was definitely not an adjective that could be used at campsite 39 on this evening and the next morning! The temperature during the night plummeted to around 10°F and our wet boots froze solid. The next day it was not until the Albright Grove that we had all right toes. The old growth forest of Tulip Trees and Eastern Hemlocks in the grove did provide a warm sensation, but mainly to our souls.
Instead of repeating the Old Settler’s Trail, we then took my cousin’s vehicle that was parked at the end of the Maddron Bald Trail and drove to the Porter’s Creek Trailhead. Campsite 31 is a secluded site at the end of the Porter’s Creek Trail. We were supposed to meet another backpacker there, but he failed to materialize. Since the sky was overcast, the temperature only dropped to about 35°F on Saturday evening, and it felt very comfortable compared to the two previous evenings. During the night, the trip leader came up with a game plan for Sunday. First, we would finish the almost four miles back to the trailhead, and then we would dayhike an additional ten miles or so in the Gatlinburg area on the route that includes the Old Sugarlands Trail, the Twin Creeks Trail, and the Gatlinburg Trail (the route that our club has done on a number of occasions). As a fitting end to the rest of this trip, my cousin instead elected to do some exploring in the Greenbrier area while the trip leader enthusiastically added more mileage to the trip that few could start and practically no one could finish!
Trip Leader Kurt Emmanuele (and I will protect the names of the part-timers even though they were all great hiking comrades!)

The red maple trees put on a magnificent show for us with their scarlet leaves seeming to effervesce on this beautiful Fall day. It was only a three-hour, 5-mile dayhike, but it proves that even a short time in the woods is transforming to the human spirit. After our morning therapy from Mother Nature, we were all back at the parking lot by 1:30 p.m. and had the rest of the afternoon to get back home and to rake leaves. Thanks to the experienced hikers for sharing their expertise and encouragement with the newcomers, who showed lots of enthusiasm and camaraderie on their first club hike. Refreshed by the magic of a Fall dayhike and ready for the Thanksgiving holidays are Bill Kinnaman, Shirley Jones, Elizabeth O’Conner, Kathy Ryan, Carol Cook, Doug Cooper, Agnes Colo’n, Linda Seaman, Joe and David Teringer, Amy Veatch, Spears McAllester, Donna Ruiz, Elvis, and Tony Cook, reporting.

Fourteen hikers started a beautiful, but cool day heading to the Smokies.. We saw many colors at various elevations. It was also noticeable how low that Indian Creek was down. This is an area that tubers go in the summertime. When we had lunch at the Sunkota trail head, it didn’t take long for us to get the coats and gloves out. The entire day was absolutely beautiful. These participating were Elizabeth O’Conner, Eric and Michelle Anderson, Karen/Sharon Hixson, Kathy Ryan, Ralph Van Pelt, Tom Herring, Bill Kinnaman, Hoss Baghay, Bob Fanning, Spears Mc Allester. Bruce and Cindy Richie, and Wayne Chambers reporting.

Well, we didn't let no stupid bears spoil our day! Having discovered at the last minute (thanks Eric!) that one leg of our planned hike, Little Brier Gap trail, was closed due to bear activity, we just quickly and smoothly transitioned to Plan 'B'. Choosing to stay in the same general area, we drove up to Elkmont and hiked a short ways on Jake's Creek trail, then turned off onto Meigs Mtn trail. While pausing for lunch at campsite 20, we began to notice that, yes, there were some nice fall colors if you bent your neck back and looked straight up into the treetops. When we reached the Curry Mtn trail junction we continued just a little farther on Meigs Mtn trail to view the old Huskey cemetery. Then we cruised down the Curry Mtn trail to Metcalf Bottoms picnic area where we had set up our car shuttle. The open ridge on the upper part of Curry Mtn trail offered many more wonderful fall color displays, with bright reds, yellows, and still-remaining greens set against a beautiful blue sky. Before leaving the park we drove the short dirt road to see the Greenbrier school, one objective on the original hike plan. On the way out the folks in our last car saw a bear, possibly the trouble-maker that caused the trail closing; they seemed to think that it didn't look all that tough, and that we probably could have whipped it had we followed our original route. Right!? I just love a group of easy-going hikers that I can drag anywhere, and this bunch was great. They were welcome newcomer Dawn Stoike; Patti Giles and a friend from Johnson City, James Ross; Kristian and Ed Canler; Tim Nicholson, Kendra Cross, Bill Kinnaman, Calvin Watson, and hike leader John Rowland.

The timing for this outing worked out well. The venue had changed twice due to concerns over available water as a result of this summer’s drought. Therefore the final decision was to go to the Logging Camp campsite on the Piney River (which when scouted a month earlier only had a few pockets of water in it). But several inches of rain fell on Monday and Tuesday before the weekend. Consequently, after crossing over bridges and rocky areas, and climbing over and under downed trees, we reached the campsite. Happily, some water was flowing in the river, and at least the top of the woodland floor was moist.
After arrival and setting up, Chris found a small tree that had blown down a month or so earlier. It provided all the wood we would need. Everyone pitched in and quickly rendered the wood into piles of various sizes for the fire we would have when the sun went down. The day was pleasant with the temperature in the 60s (50s during the night). There was little wind. Red and yellows were appearing on some of the tree leaves, and some leaves were beginning to fall. (Some Cumberland Trail Conference members were scouting the area around the campsite, looking for a way to expand the trail to create a loop.) Our congenial group included Kendra Cross, Chris Dohmen, Betty Petty, and John Rowland. (Bill and Heidi: Sorry each of you had to cancel.) - Donald Box, reporting.

You could not have ordered a more perfect day. The temperature in the 40s-60s, partly sunny with fluffy clouds and a mild wind. The autumn colors were beautiful and the recent rains created a little flow in the creek and side streams. Thanks to my friend Bob, who had helped me clean out the briars through the open field of small pine trees over the first mile or so. A hearty group of eight began at the Retro-Hughes Road trailhead and hiked north into the gorge, across the creek and up and down along the north slope to the southern terminus on Leggett Road. We stopped for two snack breaks, one at Leggett Branch and the other at the Leggett Overlook. This great group of hikers was Carol and Tony Cook, Donna Day, Wendy Gunn, Bill Kinnaman, Kelly Moses, Debbie Smith and Boodie Fox reporting.

On a day that was every bit as beautiful as an October day should be, 18 of us set out on the A.T. from Newfound Gap bound for Charlie's Bunion. After a pleasant and scenic pause for lunch at the Icewater Springs shelter, we journeyed on out to the Bunion, where several intrepid hikers (the younger ones, of course) climbed onto the rocky point. Even one somewhat vertically challenged member demonstrated an astounding measure of unexpected daring! On the way back we took the short side trip to The Jumpoff, taking the time to soak up the spectacular view.
Enjoying the great day and the equally great camaraderie were Bob Fanning, Susan Faidley, Kathy Ryan, Jane Ann & Bob Seale, Bruce Cardall, Kristian & Ed Canler, Jenny Chandler, Wendy Gunn, Tim Nicholson, Spears McAllester, Kendra Cross, Patti Giles, John Hyler, Donald Box, Heidi Wilhelmsen, and John Rowland reporting.

As he has done on other occasions this year, Kurt Emmanuele led a group of Baylor students in working on a stretch of the Pot Point Loop Trail in Prentice Cooper State Forest between Snooper's Rock and the Natural Bridge. Thanks Kurt and students. It is much appreciated. - Donald Box reporting.

Twenty eight hikers arrived at the Bi Lo parking lot in St. Elmo ready for a hike. They were so ready, in fact, that most of them left the parking lot before the hike leader.....so much for crowd control! It was a beautiful day although the temperature was already climbing and it was still early. Many attendees had never been to the Lula Lake area and were quite taken with the nice views from the bluff as we enjoyed a break in the shade and breeze. Everyone seemed to enjoy wandering around the lake as well. There was not very much water going over the falls, but there was enough to provide good photo opportunities for those who brought a camera. Those along for the hike were Genie Herndon, Ralph Van Pelt, Joe and David Terringer, Sherry Gilreath, Kathy Fulton, Heidi, Kenn, and Susan Wilhelmsen, Faye Nunez, Patti Giles, Ron and Lindy Johnson, Tim Chomyn, Bill, Pat and Amy Slack, Linda Seaman, Agnes Colon, Trey Baldwin, Shaying Cui, Lin Fa Lee, Bruce Cardall, John Rowland, Donna Ruiz, Allen Bell, Suzanne Smith and Kendra Cross reporting.

A disappointment. I don’t know whether it was just unfortunate timing with so many other things happening on this beautiful day, but as of Thursday night before the scheduled trail maintenance in the Cherokee National Forest, no one volunteered to participate. (Two people called on Friday, but I had cancelled the work trip by then.) The next “give back” opportunity will be trail maintenance scheduled for Saturday, December 1. - Donald Box reporting.

Paul Barris, meteorologist with Channel 3, said “You could not expect a better weekend than this one.” It truly was one of those “transforming weather days”, because it gave us enough energy and motivation to hike 10 miles and climb over 1,500 feet in elevation. Most of our hike was along the ridge top where we enjoyed the views of Lookout Mountain to the west and Fort Mountain to the east, but most of all, we felt the cool, fall breeze from the north. We visited the lonely grave of Confederate George Disney and wondered what it was like in February 1864 to have been a cold, hungry, soldier crouched behind a rock high up on a mountain so very far away from home. We counted our blessings and headed back down the trail. Having a great time on the first day of fall 2007 was the Fabulous Fifteen: Boody Fox, Bill Kinnaman, Alice Coffman, Randy Morris, James Anderson, Carol Cook, Donna Ruiz, Calvin Watson, Trey Baldwin, Wendy Gunn, Hoss Baghay, Fred and Linda Jungblut, Elvis, and Tony Cook reporting.

Labor Day weekend a fearless group of hikers followed their feckless leader(me!) on a backpack to Citico/Slickrock Wildernesses straddling the TN/NC line. This was to become an interesting adventure with rattlesnakes, the steepest trail in the South and a net rock toss bag given to the bears.
On Saturday we climbed the 1500 ft up to Bob's Bald in NC. We started at Beech Gap in TN but quickly crossed over into NC. We were treated all day to a cool and refreshing breeze. When we got to Bob's Bald where we had camped many times before, we met a couple of other hikers we knew who had come in a shorter way, set up camp and were in the process of fixing themselves margaritas.
We pressed on to our destination - a place called Naked Ground. It was a popular campsite even back in the days of the Cherokees on their trips across the mountains from the Middle Villages (NC) to the Overhill Villages (TN). Three different trails intersect in this area. After we set up camp, Terry and Bill walked the additional .6 mile out to the Hangover. Now this name has nothing to do with margaritas but rather refers to this spit of rock which ‘hangs over’ the wilderness. The rest of us stayed in camp and got on with cooking dinner. Water was scarce but we had carried up enough to cook with that evening and to get started on our hike the next day. Terry had a bear canister but the rest of us had to hang our food. While we were cooking, I noticed that three hikers whom we had presumed were going to camp at Naked Ground also, got up and started down the Slickrock Creek Trail. Since it was so late in the day, I started to yell at them and ask if they really intended to go down that trail. But being a fat old lady and they three young sturdy males, I thought better of it.
We got up the next morning and began our own descent down the Slickrock Creek Trail. It starts off innocuously enough, but soon begins to exhibit the navigation hazards that caused Backpacker Magazine to designate it as the ‘Ballbuster Trail’, the toughest climb in the southern Appalachians. I had a couple of the male members of my party cursing softly under their breath before long. About halfway down, we met a couple of guys I knew from the Benton MacKaye Trail Association coming up the trail. We stopped and talked a few minutes. One of them said, ‘We had three backpackers come wandering into our camp well after dark last night who had come down this thing!’ They had intended to go down the Naked Ground Trail on the other side of the mountain and camp in Joyce Kilmer near their car. They were totally confused and lost at that point. They were apparently not equipped to spend the night. Upon being told that the shortest way back to their car was to go back up the way they came and then down the Naked Ground Trail, they said no way would they do that. They chose instead to walk the 4 miles out to the nearest road and try to hitchhike back to their car. But that is a road with little or no traffic at night. I felt bad that I had not stopped them earlier.
When we got down the ‘Ballbuster’ (3 miles in 6 hours) we breathed a sigh of relief thinking that the worst was behind us. We started on down Slickrock Creek toward our campsite beside the Big Stack Gap Trail that we would ascend the next morning. A little ways down the trail, I heard what at first I thought were cicadas but was in fact a rattlesnake. It was far enough off the trail that it was no problem but when we got to the biggest and best campground on this trail at a major intersection and found it deserted, we decided to stop for the evening while there was still plenty of daylight. Slickrock Creek is a major waterway in the wilderness and had plenty of water for which we were grateful.
The next day we got up a little slower than we had the previous day knowing that we did not have as far to go and that it was presumably easier. We walked the half mile to what would have been our destination campsite and were grateful that we had stopped when we did, as it was not nearly as nice as where we had camped. We had a slow, steep but uneventful climb up the 2 miles of Big Stack Gap Trail to the Crowder Place on Fodderstack Mountain. This is an old home place and is a favorite camping site on the Benton MacKaye Trail. After eating lunch we started out on the 2.5 mile descent down Crowder Branch to our vehicle. I knew that the upper end of Crowder Branch would be difficult due to the fact that the trail is mostly in the creek for the first half mile. It was a struggle through rhododendron and over slick rocks. Then we got to the sidehill portion of the trail. It was also overgrown and unmaintained. The youngest member of our party was in the lead and stepped over a downed log almost landing directly on a rattlesnake. He corrected course at the last second and missed but let out a scream that would have done any of the club’s female members proud. The snake did not coil or rattle but absolutely refused to move out of the trail even when prodded with a stick. The rest of us had to bushwhack around him off trail.
Next I decided to toss a fallen branch out of the trail on a sunny slope and stirred up a yellow jacket’s nest. I got stung several times and so did a couple of others. This was the first of three yellow jacket nests we encountered so that everyone had an equal opportunity to get stung. By this time I had some open cursing going on with some of the hikers. We were extremely grateful that Joe’s truck was still there and had all its parts when we finally got out.
We found two of the usual restaurants in Tellico closed, but found the old restaurant on the square open which has excellent pizza and breakfast any time. Those participating on this hike/bushwhack were Kendra Cross, Bill Kenneman, Joe Terringer, new member Terry Smith and hike leader Betty Petty.

John R., Calvin, Betty and I went up early enough on Friday to make sure we would be able to get the campsites of our choice, which we did. Jerry and John H. arrived early in the afternoon, and brought a short rain fall with them. Thanks to Betty's new canopy we all had a nice dry place to sit while it rained. The brief rain break gave us an opportunity to visit with Ranger Jack,the very pleasant park ranger who oversee's Balsam Mtn. campground. After the rain, John R., Calvin, Betty and I went for a short hike while Jerry and John H. went to town for dinner. Early that evening Ralph and Elizabeth arrived.
On Saturday, Ralph and Elizabeth left early to do a very long day hike on the Balsam Mtn. trail and then go back home. Next, Jerry and John H. left on their motorcycles to enjoy a nice ride through the mountains before heading home. Betty and I hiked out to Hemphill Bald and waited on Calvin and John R. who were coming up to the bald by way of the Rough Fork and Double Gap trails.
After a nice long break, and a little fun pretending to sacrifice Betty on the large stone table, the four of us hiked out together and went back to camp to enjoy another night sitting around the campfire with good friends. Those coming along for this trip were those long distance hikers Ralph Van Pelt and Elizabeth O'Connor; the ever tough, no matter how bad the blow down, Calvin Watson, John Rowland, and Betty Petty; those fabulous biker boys Jerry Wright and John Hyler, and Kendra Cross reporting.

After a stormy morning filled with lightening and thunder, the skies cleared enough for twelve adventurers to take off for a trip down the Middle Ocoee on two inflated rubber rafts. Wayne, the planner of this adventure, was volunteered by his all female crew to sit in the front of the raft with Sharon at the opposite end of the seat. The rafters were taught how to paddle in sync, but this proved troublesome for some members of both rafts as paddles collided and became tangled. The members also received safety instructions that included what the rafters should do if they fell out of the boat and how those left in the boat should help the swimmer back into the boat. Little did they know, they would make use of these instructions several times throughout the two hour trip? The guides also had them practice falling into the middle of the raft incase they were in deep trouble. Elizabeth says her fellow rafters became experts at falling into the middle. In fact, some thoughtful crew member suggested that Elizabeth might benefit from Velcro on her posterior to keep her in place.
Wayne’s raft was a first aid raft, so their guide often had to steer the raft to the side of the river to “baby-sit” the other rafters as they stormed through the rapids. One of the rafts from their outfitters make a “fluffy bunny” maneuver. This involves flipping the raft upside down and dumping all the passengers in the river. Of course, no hiking club members were in this raft. After coming through one rapid sideways, the raft tipped to the left, and this meant that Sharon slid across her seat and in a gracefully executed move knocked Wayne out of the raft. With the guide shouting instructions, the female crew did hoist Wayne back into the raft by grasping the straps of his lifejacket and pulling vigorously. It appears that the guides in both rafts had a difficult time getting the rafts to move in a forward direction. Katie, the guide in the second raft, had her crew go though the rapids backwards more than once. Thus, Chris and Jerry, the rear rafters, were far from dry when the trip was over. Those enjoying the white water were Mary Jerz, Michelle Anderson and sister Jamie, Chris and Elizabeth O’conner, Jerry Wright and friends Kevin and Tina Lee, Kathy Fulton, Marsha Owens, Sharon Hixon, and the one that fell out, Wayne Chambers

We looked like “little water bugs” as 11 of us aquatic hikers negotiated our way back and forth across the scenic Jack’s River 18 times on a beautiful summer day in the Cohutta Wilderness. On each crossing, one of us was designated as the “your time to slip and fall in the river person”. The rocks were sooooo slippery, but the cool and refreshing water felt sooooo good. Fortunately, there were no bumps and bruises, only a lot of fun. The action was so exciting that Donald was poised with his camera to get a good shot of the next hiker to go splash – but even the camera took an unexpected dip in the water – and still worked. It’s not often that hikers feel refreshed after an 8 mile summertime hike, but this was one of those rare occasions when everyone was smiling at the end of the trail. Thanks to Donald for being a great co-leader and for taking lots of pictures. Enjoying a day “in the river” were Monty Simmons, Kathy Fulton, Wendy Gunn, Kathy Ryan, Sharon Anderson, Boodie Fox, Donald Box, Joe Teringer, Jack and Dawn Gardner, Elvis, and Tony Cook reporting.

There was the threat of rain as we set out for Alabama and the Walls of Jericho. This provided a little edge, but actually served as a plus as the cloud cover keep it from getting too hot. The walk down into the gorge was pretty with a couple of stops to view cave entrances and drainage sinks along the trail. The trail is in good shape and much improved and si much better marked than when I have been in there in the past. We actually made the trek out to the walls along the creek without getting our feet wet! We had lunch sitting around the rim of the bowl that is the Walls. I only made it up to the second tier but some of our adventurous souls made it all the way up to the cave at the top. Those making this hike were Cheryl Morris, Mary Jerz, Doug Cooper, Joel and Sharon Gollup, Robyn Cowan, Bob and Kim Butters, Amos Nance, Kathy Ryan, Karen Shain, Matthew Craig and hike leader Betty Petty.

The last published plan was to depart Ooltewah at 1PM for Whigg Meadow in the Cherokee to establish a camp there and then to drive over to Huckleberry Knob, hike out to Little Huckleberry Knob the last part being a bushwhack, and then to return to the main Huckleberry Knob to cook supper and wait for the moon to come up before walking out by moonlight and driving back to the Whigg.
I arrived at the Whigg around 3 PM to set up camp. I had been worried that there would be a large number of locals and that camping space would be limited. Well, there was no one else up there camping at all! While setting up camp, a couple from Atlanta came up the trail from Mudd Gap dayhiking. The lady was involved with the Benton-MacKaye Atlanta group so we had an interesting conversation. After setting up I drove back to Huckleberry Knob. I met the FS Recreation Officer coming up the road to the Whigg and stopped to talk to her a minute. She was also amazed that there was no one else camped on the Whigg.
By 5 when I got to the top of the first bald at Huckleberry, I thought I smelled strawberries. I looked down and discovered that the whole top of the bald was covered with tiny wild strawberries and they were ripe! I enjoyed picking and eating several of these. Then I went on up to the top of Huckleberry Knob surmounted by its cross marking the grave of an unfortunate traveler who froze to death there a century ago and from there bushwhacked on out to Little Huckleberry Knob. Now the Forest Service maintains the first two balds as there is an old road up there. Little Huckleberry Knob is accessed by a manway along a narrow lead between the two so it is not maintained. It is returning to forest but currently is completely covered by blackberry bushes. There is a campsite on the lead just before you get to Little Huckleberry that may have been established by someone planning to camp on Little Huckleberry but forced back into the woods by the overgrowth on the bald.
Back at the Whigg, the moon came up while I was still eating, big and full. It was quite cool and breezy so there were no bugs. There were fireworks being shot off in three different directions. The moon was so bright that it was almost like day on the bald all night plus, there was lightening flashing off on the east, but too far away to hear the thunder.
The sunrise the next morning was cool and clear. I took a photo of it looking back to where the DOGBUS was parked. I drove out the long way down North River where the Rosebay Rhododendron was in bloom. Reported by Betty Petty.

Why would a 10 mile hike take 12 miles to complete? Because even the side trails had a lot of interesting things to see, that’s why. There were memorial plaques, an overlook, creeks, shelters and some nifty trail construction as well as all of the beautiful trees. It was a great day in every respect. The weather was perfect for mid-June with low humidity and a cool breeze. There were high expectations for the beginning sections of the two famous trails – the Appalachian and the Benton McKaye – and they certainly did not disappoint us. The ferns were magnificent – reaching as far as the eye could see all around the trail in several locations- and more wild flowers than we could identify. The trails were in great condition because the clubs who maintain them, the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club and the Benton McKaye Trail Association, work very hard at trail maintenance. We offer a special THANK YOU to each of those clubs for making the beauty and the enchantment of the national forest available for all of us to enjoy on our hike. Thanks to Wayne for being a great co-leader and congratulations to the new club members on their first club hike. Enjoying the day on the AT and BMT were Boodie Fox, Monty Simmons, Wayne Chambers, Carol Cook, Joni Fisher, Tim Chomyn, Kathy Fulton, Kendra Cross, Susan Lawton, Bill Kinnamon, Alice Phillips, and Tony Cook reporting.

We had eleven people to join us on a beautiful day in the Smokies. It started out with one of our drivers killing a bird with her windshield on I75. I was hoping that that would not be a bad sign for our hike. It turned out to be a great, but humid day. Our hike spread out on the first climb. The ones in the back ran up on a three plus feet timber rattlesnake. While it was crawling off, I had to agriviate it to get it to rattle. Then, Michelle (bear attracter) spotted a small bear thirty feet from the trail. Most everyone was excited to see the Sinks, where the waterfall had a rainbow. Finally, some people spotted a water snake on Crib Gap Trail. While we were walking thru Cades Cove picnic area, the Rangers were trying to Mace a large bear. Thanks you Eric for the water filter, as several of up needed to fill up. Not a bad day-one dead bird, two bears, two snakes and a rainbow. The hikers were Tim Nicholson, Susan Faidley, Eric and Michelle Anderson, Shankar Manhadevan and Bill Kinnaman(first time), Marcia Owens, Marnette Bowen, Ralph Van Pelt, Donald Box, and Wayne Chambers reporting.

Eleven hikers celebrated National Trails Day by exploring the 3 1/2 mile Pot Point Nature Trail. Yes, this is the same Pot Point familier to many club members. Except instead of being on top of the plateau in Prentice Cooper State Forest, it's on the side of the mountain and along the river, on a 491 acre tract owned by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. The hike leader took this opportunity to promote the Nickajack Trails Corridor, a project of the Marion County Greenways and Trails Committee to plan a system of trails along the Tennessee River to potentially link Chattanooga with the Sequatchie Valley. While hiking alongside the river, the group was treated to the unusual sight of a flying flock of baby turkeys. Participants included Lin-Fa Lee, Ray Tessmer, Johnny Grant, Chris Case, Joanna Shepich, Bob and Izzy Guckel, Martin and Annette Baldenegro, and hike leaders Bob and Kim Butters

Starting with 10 people at the entrance to the Collins-West campground, we made about a 12-mile loop down the Collins Gulf Tail, across the creek below Suter Falls, up the short section of the Connector Trail, up the Historic Stagecoach Trail, and back to our starting point again on the Collins Gulf Trail, ending with 11 people. (Doug Cooper started about 15 minutes later than we did and overto ok us while we were on a side trip to view Horsepound Falls.)
There was concern about how deep our water crossings might be, and the threat of afternoon rain (which did not materialize). However, we found all of the water crossings to be easy since the water table is very low and we have not had any appreciable rain. There was a lot of variety in this loop, rocks and rock formations, water crossings, elevation changes, a rim walk, a 100’ suspension bridge, and a crossing of the boulder field on our way back to the Collins-West campground and our vehicles. - - Lunch followed a climb out of the gorge. A number of blooming wi ldflowers were observed.
Participating in this enjoyable hike were Hoss Baghay, Donald Box, Carol & Tony Cook, Doug Cooper, Susan Faidley, Boodie Fox, Spears McAllester, Tim Nicholson, Joe Teringer, and Wendy Gunn, reporting

On May 5, 2007, ten hikers set out on a rainy Saturday morning to hike the Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness. As we drove to Sparta, the group maintained a positive attitude that the rain would soon subside. I became more and more excited because it appeared that the Sparta area had experienced greater rainfall amounts than had Chattanooga so that Virgin Falls would be at maximum capacity. As we walked, my excitement began to wane as a hike that usually has no substantial stream crossings suddenly had several. We had several new people whom I had not told to expect stream crossings, but they all seemed to be more excited about the falls and less concerned about their water logged shoes. We pushed on alongside roaring, swollen streams through a saturated forest. We had one substantial stream crossing - everyone crossed safely. We hiked to the first falls - Big Branch Falls which was a real treat to see with so much water. As we descended into the gorge, I heard an ominously loud roar. The small stream crossing (that one can usually rock hop with the help of a cable that is tied across it) was a roaring, waist deep high dead end. After consulting with Wayne (thanks for helping on this hike Wayne), we decided that we should turn around and walk out.
Bruce and Wayne were leading as we turned around, and both stepped on a small copperhead snake. Cindy saw the snake strike at Wayne but thankfully the snake aimed badly. The snake sat coiled in the trail for the rest of us to see. It appeared to be a young snake about two feet along and had beautiful coloring. Then with the help of his trekking pole, Wayne gentlely persuaded the snake to move along. We all returned to the parking lot soaking wet and safe. I have been to Virgin Falls three or four times during different times of the year and was truly stunned by the amount of water I saw. The brave band of soaked hikers were Donna Dowlen, Jane Peterson, Cindy Richie, Bruce Richie, Wayne Chambers, Sarah Burgos, Agnes Colon, Shaying Cifu, and Melissa Moreau, reporting.

We started planning our trip last fall and the closer April 28 came, the greater the excitement became. Then came the news.....Wildfire in Smoky Mtns....Baxter Creek Trail closed! No little wildfire is going to stop us, so we plan an alternate route. Then came the news.......The trails have been re-opened! What an emotional roller coaster!! Everyone was happy to be able to stick with the original plan of going in on Mt. Sterling and out on Baxter Creek. We were not intimidated by the dark rain-clouds that followed us all the way to Big Creek Campground, nor the cold sprinkles that fell on us going up the trail. In fact, the cool temperature made the approximately 1800' climb more tolerable.
Once we got our campsites set up, the sky seemed to clear and most of the group went up the fire tower to enjoy the views. Most of them went back up the fire tower after sunset to enjoy the beautiful moonlit sky. After Donald built us a wonderful campfire, the wind picked up. We spent most of our time around the campfire, literally going around the campfire to keep the smoke out of our eyes! After we all turned in for the night, the wind became much stronger. James even commented that he could feel the edge of his tent lifting up. Everyone managed to stay warm, even though the temperature dropped to around 40 or lower. John said he slept quite well, thanks to his Big Agnes air mattress and his "sexy" carhartt toboggan.
Sunday was clear, warm and beautiful. We climbed over or through several blowdowns, saw more than twenty different wildflowers and one black snake several feet in length. On the way home, we enjoyed dinner at Dandrige Seafood. Those participating were first time backpacker John Rowland, Donald Box, Mike and Nancy Robinson, James Anderson and hike leader Kendra Cross.

Since this weekend was part of the Smokies annual Wildflower Festival, we turned our hike into part of the celebration. Road Prong trail was a pretty descent, though slow due to recent blowdowns. Wayne showed us how to identify ramps, with their wonderful (I think!) garlicky-onion aroma. Eric and the hiker-who-forgot-his-boots had to head back to Chattanooga early. It was fun to stop and study the trailside flowers. We absorbed the lofty views from the Chimneys, but it's true, I wouldn't let the group have lunch there (due to rain and slippery rocks!) The rain soon ended and we pulled the wildflower books back out. At Sugarlands, we ate a late lunch and consulted the larger books in the gift shop to identify the challenging flowers. Laurel Falls trail was drier, but still enjoyable. Over dinner at Timber's (same owners-it wasn't sold as I'd feared), we voted for our favorites:
Michelle-bellwort, jack-in-the-pulpit
Sharon-squirrel corn, white fringed phacelia
Bob-trout lily, Japanese Mazus
Marnette-dwarf crested iris, Japanese Mazus
Elizabeth-squirrel corn, dwarf crested iris
Enjoying the day were Wayne Chambers, Michelle and Eric Anderson, Sharon Hixon, Bob Fanning, Marnette Bowen, and Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting.

HIKE NAKED! Well, now that I have your attention, no, no one was actually naked, but somebody did have nothing but the clothes on his back. First he tried to convince us that this was the new "ultra-lite" style, but then he admitted he'd left his pack in his vehicle back in Ooltewah. The ultimate shocker though was about halfway through the hike when we realized he didn't even have his clippers! (Oops, that kind of gave it away...?) His kind-hearted companions kept him watered and fed, making the "Hike For Hunger" t-shirt he wore after the hike quite ironic. Surely he won't have the nerve to try that scam again!
Anyway, we had a nice day, just a few pesky clouds, but moderate temperatures. The climb up the AT to Shuckstack was rewarded with great views from the old tower. Descending very very steeply on the upper half of Lost Cove trail we were all happy to be going down that stretch, rather than up! We strolled through a long, long area where beautiful Trillium blossoms blanketed both sides of the trail. Four creek crossings about half a mile from the bottom provided several thrills and a couple of spills. Then most of us switched to wading shoes for the last three creek crossings over the last quarter mile. On our way back out along the Lakeshore trail we passed a patch of lovely and delicate purple miniature Iris.
The happy hikers were Marnette Bowen, Kendra Cross, John Hyler, Mary Jerz, Cindy & Bruce Richie, Tim Nicholson, Jerry Wright, Spears McAllester, Monty Simmons, Boodie Fox, and John Rowland reporting.

Who but 12 crazy hikers could take the coldest day ever in North Georgia on April 7th and make a lot of fun out of it? On a day when it seemed like the low temperature and the high temperature was the same 24 degrees, the band of adventure seekers waded the frigid Conasauga River twice (quoting Shakespeare each time), made 14 slippery creek crossings, climbed up and down a steep boulder field and huddled up for lunch at the top of Panther Creek Falls. Congratulations to the new hikers who completed their first strenuous 10 mile wilderness hike with river crossings below freezing. As Chris so aptly described it, “You get a 9.5”. Thanks to Spears for being a great co-leader and to Elizabeth for naming the beautiful wildflowers for us. Enjoying the agony and the ecstasy was Kathy Ryan, Sandra Reagan, Spears McAllister, Sharon Anderson, Marnette Bowen, Jane Ann Seale, Kathy Fulton, Joe Teringer, Cheryl Morris, Elizabeth and Chris O’Conner, Tony Cook reporting.

"On a partly sunny day with almost perfect temperature, we began at the trailhead near Tracy City and began our descent into the gorge along the cascading creek, under bluffs and over small rock fields. A side trail took us to Sycamore Falls, after which we hiked on to the intersection with the Dog Hole Trail which climps past some old coal mines and on up to the rim above. From there we followed the rim with its overlook and passed out of the woods to Raven Point where we ate lunch. Afterwards, Bob & Kim Butters continued on over 8 miles to Foster Falls where they had left a vehicle. The other 17 of us retraced our path back to our beginning point, experiencing some surprising, but delightful sleet bouncing off of us for a few minutes. Other hikers were Linda O'Neal, Billy Kinard, Mary Jerz, Wendy Gunn, Joe Teringer, Jane Seale, Melissa Moreau, Robbie Martin, Tony & Carol Cook, Tim Chomyn, Gitesh Nair, Steve Barnes, Martin Krecker and Martin Jr., Debbie Smith and hike leader Boodie Fox."

Despite the cold, ten hardy hikers set out for a climb up Big Frog Mountain on this clear winter's day. We climbed up Licklog Ridge to the top of Big Frog Mountain at 4,220 feet elevation. Along the way, we passed several places where the club's trail maintainers had done recent work. Near the top, we ran into patches of snow and ice. While lunching near the top, we met two hikers with a dog from the Atlanta area. They had camped on Hemp Top Trail the night before and awoken to 17 degree weather. Despite this, they were really enjoying their time in the wilderness. On our descent down Big Frog Trail, we came to a large mound of ice protruding from the mountain. The water from a seep had been freezing as it met the cold air, creating a difficult crossing. All hikers made it across safely, though. Once across the East Fork Rough Creek, which we crossed without incident, we were home free. Those enjoying this brisk winter hike were Hoss Baghay, Spears McAllester, Ralph Van Pelt, Donald Box, Wendy Gunn, Patti Giles, Betty Petty, Bruce Richie, Cindy Richie, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

Another cold start to a wonderful hike. On this Saturday morning it was 24 degrees and very light wind, but a forecast of 50 degrees for later in the day made this a really good day to hike the Lower Truck Trail at the base of Lookout Mountain. We had a mix of experienced Club hikers, first-time Club hikers, and first-time hikers on this trail. After meeting at the Park Service parking lot right outside the Nature Center, we hiked an in and out route to Skyuka Spring following the upper road through Reflection Riding property to the Park Service road, which leads along Lookout Creek.
Enjoying this great outing were Harold Wilkey, Jennifer Schroll, Jack McCormick, Lin-Fa Lee, Joe Terringer, David and Pat Phillips, Cheryl Morris, Rex Lettau, Linda Wooden, Martin Krecker, Jean Parker, and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

Well, fifteen individuals met in the Bi Lo parking lot, in St. Elmo, on this very cold morning ready for our hike at Lula Lake. However, upon arrival at the entrance, we found the gate to be locked. Okay, so the hike leader got everyone up there a few minutes early.....wasn't the first time! After several minutes of debate, and waiting for someone to come open the gate, Bob Fanning suggested we find another place to hike. After coming to the conclusion that Mary would have a different group of hikers next weekend and we would not be infringing on someone else's hike, we decided it would be okay to go to Lookout Mtn. and hike through the nature center to Skyuka Springs. Besides, the hike leader didn't have any other trail maps with her and that was the quickest fix! One hiker, Bill Slack, decided to stay at Lula Lake to see if anyone showed up. He reported that someone did finally arrive to open the gate at 9:40 Saturday morning. The fourteen hikers who decided to enjoy all or part of the walk to Skyuka Springs and back were Bob Fanning, Karen Dale, Monty Simmons, Linda Wooden, Eddy Brooks, Scott Drummond, Kathy Fulton, Jane Seal, David Reed, Boodie and Carol Fox, and hike leader Kendra Cross.

With relatively warm, dry weather in the forecast, a fairly large group of hikers gathered at the Ace Gap trailhead. The trailhead is bordered by several sinkholes and also a cave off the trail, which a couple of hikers walked over to after our hike. Though windy, the weather also offered sunshine as we wound around the shoulders of the park boundary. Our bonus was that Ace Gap is one of those special Smoky trails without jumbles of rocks! We ate at the intersection where Eric and Michelle continued down Beard Cane on their own car shuttle hike. The rest of us returned on Ace Gap, pausing at the peaceful, empty campsites and even seeing a few fresh shoots of early, early spring growth. Most of the group stopped for an early dinner at Uno's Chicago Pizzeria. Enjoying the Smokies were Eric and Michelle Anderson, Jerry Wright, Sharon Hixon, Tim Nicholson, John Rowland, Ralph Van Pelt, James Anderson, Randy Morris, Tom Herring, Kendra Cross, Hoss Baghay, Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting, and Wayne Chambers, hike leader.

Piney River is a favorite with the Wednesday Hikers! I much prefer hiking end to end after placing a car shuttle. On this day we left town with the temperature in the low 20s so the hikers convinced me that it would be too cold to wait as cars were placed. Instead we began at the lower end and hiked up the little mountain to Twin Rocks. After enjoying the view we rejoined the main trail on the other side of the mountain and continued on to the first bridge. There are fire rings there and once again Gary Smith built a roaring fire. I carried roasting sticks from home and Richard Park graciously added the weight of a bag of marshmellows to his pack! With a fire roaring, everyone joined in the roasting, even the ones who at first refused because they " don't eat sweets". The greatest challenge was the creek crossing - lot's of water there - and with the temperature so low no-one wanted to get wet. We returned to our cars with a log on Ray's GPS of 8.6 miles. Hiking were: Gary Smith, Bob Rahn, Stormy McGauley, Val Hargis, Gwen Brimer, Debbie Lambert, Freda Richie, Nancy Hoover, Ray Myers, Richard Park and Che Carico.

Wednesday January 17 I took the hikers to the portion of the Cumberland Trail which begins on Hwy 111, goes over the fence on the newly constructed stile, and goes on for 9 (maybe 11) miles until stopped by another often impassable creek or Hot Water Road. This day we hiked along Board Camp Creek, passed through several areas carpeted with pine needles, admired major rock formations, built a fire by the creek for lunch, and then explored the creek bed to check out the large vehicles which were driven over the side of the mountain on the other side of the creek. Our in and out hike was @ 8 miles and we look forward to placing cars and walking through from 111 to Hot Water Road next time. We had planned to go to Piney River on this day but thought it might be too cold. Everyone was happy to have hiked this portion - all said how beautiful ! -and were not sad to have skipped Piney River. All are proud of this trail which winds through our city and state so close to home. Hikers were: Karen Ramsey, Val Hargis, Ray Myers, Bob Rahn, Gwen Brimer, Debbie Lambert, Freda Keener, Sharon Hogan, and Che Carico.

We had hoped for a leisurely winter time hike on a beautiful mid-January day – and that’s exactly what we got. With the temperature in the mid-60s and a slight southerly breeze, we enjoyed a relaxing and refreshing walk in the woods. The 5 mile trail gave us a tantalizing taste of true wilderness with a climb in the beginning, a creek crossing, two scenic overlooks, a mini waterfall, a micro cave, and even a little meandering through a pint-sized boulder field. Special thanks to the veteran hikers who welcomed all of the newcomers and showed them some of the tricks of the trail. Enjoying the hike were Boodie and Carol Fox, Kendra Cross, Wayne Chambers, Karen Dale, Linda Wooden, Sharon and Joel Gallop, Jane Seale, Chaim Charyn, Caroline Woerner, Daniel Vanoy, Nancy and Mike Robinson, Hoss Baghay, Pat and David Phillips, Carolyn Perry, Faye Nunez, Brad Mathis, Connie Smith, Stan Dowiat, Kathy Fulton, John Wilson, Tonya Shaneyfelt, Tony Cook reporting.

Wednesday January 10 we revisited the John Muir/Benton McKaye trail beginning at the Appalachia power house. It has been at least 6 years since anyone in our group has hiked this 8 mile section along the Hiwassee and which vigorously leaves the river to go over the mountain to Coker Creek. So it was a fresh adventure and many in our group had never been on this hike. Upon reaching Coker Creek we built a great fire in a fire ring beside the creek and enjoyed lunch there. Gary Smith found dry wood and always carries fire starter in the event of recent rains and damp wood. Hikers were: Gary Smith, Clayton Pannell, Karen Ramsey, Cecile Shenouda, Bob Rahn, Ima Connelly, Don Stewart, Stormy McGauley, Val Hargis, Nancy Hoover, Caroline Woerner, Freda Keener Ray Myers, Debbie Lambert and Che Carico.

We had the pleasure of hiking the Cumberland Trail section from Retro-Hughes Road to Rock Creek and enjoying lunch on the other side of the creek from our previous approaches. What a jewel! Even the open area with new pines had its beauty. Richard Park, Ray Myers, Val Hargis, Debbie Lambert, Gwen Brimer, Bob Rahn and Che Carico were thrilled with this part of the developing CT and are grateful to everyone who had a part in building the trail. We know Caroline Woerner and Boodie Fox are greatly involved and we thank Boodie for bringing our group here the first time.

Since I failed to take care of an important hike leader detail, making sure we had a sunny day, we began 2007 on an overcast, windy day in the mid- to upper 40s. However, it was not 10-15 degrees colder, or snowing, or raining, as it has been on some past occasions of this traditional New Year’s Day hike. (And for the record, when I say no water crossings, I consider a “water crossing” to be 10 or more feet wide, and 4 ¾ inches or deeper. Those “wet spots” we encountered were mostly just runoff from yesterday’s heavy rains.)
Never-the-less, our hike was enjoyable, with a good bit of diversity, overlooks, rock formations, full and fast flowing streams, level spots, and noticeably not so level spots. No tick, insect, snake, or alligator sightings. We passed Snooper’s Rock, the Indian Rock House, a lengthy boulder field, and the Mullen’s Cove Overlook on our 10.2-mile trek. - - Those starting 2007 on the right (or left) foot were Eddy Brooks, Bob & Kim Butters, Wayne & Vickie Chambers, Tony Cook, Kendra Cross, Boodie & Carol Fox, Wendy Gunn, Mary Jerz, Vicki Johnston, Lin-Fa Lee, Spears McAllester, Randy Morris, Faye & Melvin Nunez, Linda O’Neal, Betty Petty, Bruce & Cindy Richie, Ralph VanPelt, Jerry Wright, and Donald Box, reporting.

Wendy, our hike leader, redeemed herself for the very cold and very windy conditions when she last led this hike in March. As we began hiking from Chickamauga Dam, she had the fog curtain raised, revealing a beautiful, sunny day with little wind. Yesterday’s rain had cleansed the atmosphere giving us nice clear views with blue skies and white clouds. (There were several comments about how nice the weather was, in the 50s, just 2 days before Christmas.) Along the way we encountered Lin-Fa Lee, bicycling (rather than walking the 14-15 miles with us). Rembrandt’s Coffee House was our turn-around point downtown. We stopped for something to drink and eat (and had a very likely topic of conversation in view of the day, the setting, and the group). The return trip to the dam also included a variety of interesting and perhaps unexpected topics of conversation, plus sightings of squirrels, seagulls, Great Blue Herons, Canada Geese, and Mallard Ducks. Enjoying the outing and day were Doug Cooper, Boodie & Carol Fox, Sharon Gollop, Wendy Gunn, Jerry Wright, and Donald Box, reporting.

Though not quite caught up with Christmas preparations, 10 Wednesday regulars set out to explore the newly opened trails on Raccoon Mountain. The maps at the visitors center are quite good and we hiked from there out to the 4 mile "maze" Table Rock trail via the Grindstone Ridge trail and back, so about 7.5 miles. To quote several hikers, they are amazed by how much trail length has been placed in such a small area! The overlooks of the river are quite beautiful and we are blessed to have this "stretch your legs" easy walking trail (shared with bikers) so close to home. Eventually there will be a trail all around the top of the mountain. Hiking were Debbie Lambert, Ross Campbell, Richard Park, Val Hargis, Bob Rahn, Gwen Brimer, Ima Connelly, Don Stewart, Ann Huckaba, and Che Carico.

After postponing holiday errands and putting off chores, a large group of hikers gathered for Boodie's hike. We expected that the weather would be too perfect to stay indoors, and we weren't disappointed. It had already warmed up as we climbed yet another set of rock stairs, this time scrambling out of the Savage Gulf gorge. "I forgot about this climb," Boodie confessed. We emerged onto the plateau and rambled along the gorge rim, stopping at several overlooks with views opened by leafless trees. After we stopped at an overlook for lunch, a couple of us decided to imitate Tim Nicholson's usual lunchtime habit as we reclined on our packs in the sun. It was difficult to rouse ourselves to leave! We took turns crossing several suspension bridges as we approached the ranger station. While waiting for our car shuttle, we talked to Kurt about his upcoming trip to Patagonia, and we certainly look forward to seeing his photos. Enjoying a break from holiday and work stresses were Sharon Hixon, Michelle Anderson, Wendy Gunn, Carol Fox, John Rowland, Patti Giles, Mary Jerz, Paula Coffey, Tim Nicholson, Donald Box, Kurt Emmanuale, Jerry Wright, Steve Barnes, Tim Chomyn, Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting, and Boodie Fox, hike leader.

It’s daybreak, and 16 degrees. To hike or not to hike, that is the question. For 8 Hiking Club members, that is a no-brainer. Fortunately, the wind was not blowing, so the chill factor was only 16 degrees, Plus, the forecast was for 25 degrees by 9:00 a.m., about the time we would be getting off the levee. Since the Brainerd levee can be very windy at times, and, since I did not want any hypothermia casualties on our annual early morning hike, I had told callers that if the temperature was in the teens, and the wind was blowing, we probably would not hike. Enjoying this frosty hike and breakfast at IHOP were Betty Petty, Boodie and Carol Fox, Donald Box, Lin-Fa Lee, Mike and Patricia Dover-Bedwell, and Mary Young, hike leader reporting.

This hike ended up being a substitute for an intended hike on the Benton McKaye trail, which we will have to wait until 2007 to do. Even so, a goodly group of hikers showed up at the Ringgold McDonalds and set out for this loop hike, which the club has apparently not done before.
We parked at the end of Pocket Road, went up North Pocket trail to the West Rim trail, then along it to High Point. A front had just passed through, so we were treated to excellent views all the way to downtown Chattanooga in the north, Lookout to the west and the Cohuttas in the east. From there we had an uneventful trip down South Pocket trail and had a short visit at the old home site in the Pocket itself. Along for the walk were Caroline Woerner, Denise Brochetti, Elizabeth O'Conner, Michelle Anderson, Tony Cook, Donald Box, Wendy Gunn, Daniel Vanoy, Brad Mathis, Spears McAllester, Mary Jerz, Linda O'Neal, Susan Faidley, Sharon Hixson, Doug Cooper, and Ralph Van Pelt, reporting.

It was a great day to hike. The temperature was cool, humidity low and the skies were clear. On the ridges, with the leaves gone, we had views for miles both to the left and right. We started at Amicalola Falls State Park then hiked 5 miles to the Hike Inn. There, we took a brief break and enjoyed some Apple Cornbread, tea and lemonade. From there, we made the 1 mile trek to the Approach Trail then the 4.3 miles to Springer Mountain. We ate lunch at the Southern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail a top Springer Mountain. On the way back, we decided to see the Hike Inn again and then hike to Amicalola Falls. This stretched the hike to 20.6 miles. Enjoying the hike was Bob Fanning, David Chomyn and Tim Chomyn reporting.

On November 26th, 7 people and one dog enjoyed a clear, sunny & mild day with a 7.25 mile round-trip hike on Raccoon Mtn. The route started from the East Overlook parking lot and combined the new East Rim trail with the Grindstone Ridge and Switchyard Connector trails, and a short side-trip to the Reservoir Overlook, ending at the Visitor's Center. Two people (and the puppy, who did very well on his initial trail-hike with other hikers, but was worn out by the time we had done the first 3.75 miles!) opted to be shuttled back; the others enjoyed the views of the TN Gorge from the Visitor's Center and then hiked back. Hike Leader is Nancy Robinson.

Well, we didn't get lost... and we didn't see any unusual critters like dairy sheep or llamas... and we didn't get to ride in any limos... and we certainly didn't pay $125 each for dinner! (See previous week's hike report.) So it was kind of mundane, as hikes go. But it SEEMED like we were having fun. Not a single cloud was seen all day; Abrams Creek was up and the falls was pouring at a springtime rate. And there have been some major improvements done to the Little Bottoms trail recently. I tried to Email a 'Thank You!' via the Smokies National Park website; hopefully the appropriate people will know that we appreciate them!
Hikers working off those Thanksgiving bulges (and then some had desert after dinner on the way home?) were Mary Jerz. Kendra Cross, James Anderson, Carol and Boodie Fox, Michelle and Eric Anderson, and John Rowland reporting that he might possibly be the first person in recorded history to eat a slice of pumpkin pie at Abrams Falls.

Under a cold blue sky, we began hiking on the Gold Mine trail, shuffling through the leaves. We ate lunch at the Ace Gap intersection before beginning our cross-country connection to Cane Creek trail. At first, our trek on unmaintained trail was deceptively easy. Eventually, we turned right on a red-blazed trail belonging to Blackberry Farm, trusting Wayne's memory of hiking here three years ago. We slid down the hill in the leaves, still following red blazes, although now not quite sure why. "Doesn't it feel like we're heading towards the car?" Wayne asked hopefully. We found a fresh Chiclet gum on the trail, a sure sign of...something. The mountain bikers were a clue that we weren't in the Smokies. As were the groomed East Friesian dairy sheep, guarded by George the llama and Queenie the Akbash sheep dog. The Bealls, owners of Ruby Tuesday's, run the luxurious Blackberry Farm. "We're sort of lost," Wayne admitted to the young woman running the stables. "Someone will be down to get you," she replied after making a phone call, "probably in a Lexus or an Escalade." We were quite relieved to pile into the sleek black Lexus SUV, a slightly different version of our usual car shuttle. Our driver pointed out one of the rentals on the 4,200 acre Blackberry Farm, a house going for a mere $4,800 per NIGHT. We considered staying to dine at a scant $125 per person, but needed some cash to tip our driver, who'd graciously saved us from a 20-mile road walk back to the car. We still had time to walk up to Look Rock tower, by now anti-climactic. To Wayne's credit, we all were safe and back to the car well before dark. Mingling with the Rich and the Famous were Tim Chomyn, Sharon Hixon, Wayne Chambers, hike leader, and Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting.

On this Veterans Day, we paused a moment before our hike to remember all those who have fought for our freedom, including many who died. Walking among the monuments commemorating the Civil War and those who fought in that conflict provided a reflective atmosphere for this patriotic holiday. Although the skies were cloudy with the threat of rain, we remained dry until we had almost completed our 5-mile hike on the General Bragg Loop in Chickamauga Battlefield. Then a very slight shower hurried us to our cars in the lower lot at the Visitor Center. Enjoying this hike were new members Susan Johnson and Christina and Nick Salt, along with Faye Nunez, Judy Capps, Carolyn Perry, Lin-Fa Lee, Carol and Boodie Fox, Joel and Sharon Gallop, and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

Beginning under an overcast sky and on a wet trail from an all-day rain the day before, nine of us started out with our fingers crossed about a creek-crossing we would encounter about two miles into the hike from Little Possum. Most of us were able to rock-hop successfully while others got their feet wet by taking a few steps in water over their shoe tops. But after a brief 'sock-wringing' session, we continued on a delightful trip over a couple of ridges and back downstream to a beautiful waterfall enhanced by the previous day's rain. As the sun was beginning to peep through, we ate our lunch there and then retraced our steps on a drying trail and with less difficulty recrossing the stream-no 'wet feet'. The fall leaves, of course, were beautiful. Hikers were Denise Brochetti, Hoss Baghay, Wayne Chambers, Bob Fanning, Sharon Gollup, John Rowland, Debbie Smith, Jerry Wright, and Boodie Fox, reporting.

The night-time temperature dropped dramatically under clear skies and a crescent moon at our creekside campsite in Smokemont. Saturday was beautiful-clear and sunny, cool with little humidity. On the Grassy Branch trail, Wayne pointed out shining clubmoss and ground pine. Although there were only two backpackers sharing the sunny rocks with us at Charlies Bunion, by the time we finished lunch, there were about 15 picnickers and more on the way. Our fall wildflowers included heart-leafed aster and closed gentian. After hearing Michelle's harrowing bear stories, I was glad that we didn't see any bears! We followed Calvin's excellent suggestion and ate dinner at a good Mexican restaurant in Andrews. Enjoying our first fall Smokies hike were Michelle Anderson, Calvin Watson, Wayne Chambers, and Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting.

Raincoat or no raincoat was the question. Off and on Saturday night thunderstorms made the morning ominous, but by noon, the skies were starting to clear. Fortunately, no one was golfing as we hiked by the Moccasin Bend Golf Course; perhaps the earlier rains made it too wet to play. We had the trail to ourselves, except for a mound of fire ants and a turtle that had set up housekeeping smack in the middle of the trail! We took a short break to enjoy an excellent view across the TN River. Enjoying this short stroll were Denise Brochetti, Bob Fanning (I still can’t believe he came all the way from Dalton to hike 2 miles!) Jan Lothian and son Joshua; Chuck Almore; Xiaoying; Joe Teringer and son David, Donna Gorka, and returning member Tammy Parker-welcome back! Caroline Woerner reporting.

Though it was drizzling rain on the ride to the trailhead, thirteen hardy hikers got to enjoy a beautiful area close to home. The rain stopped before we started the trail, and we had blue skies before we reached the end. We met some bow hunters at our break spot. They were unsuccessful, but said that they enjoyed their morning in the woods, anyway. Most people think of wildflowers in the spring. However, we were treated to many fall wildflowers along the trail, including cardinal flower, wild potato vine, black-eyed susan, goldenrod, creeping bush clover, flowering spurge, horse nettle, southern harebell, blue lobelia, purple aster, false aster, whorled coreopsis, joe-pye weed, blazing star, and a remarkable specimen of heart-abusting (aka strawberry bush). Those enjoying this nice fall hike were Joe Teringer, Wendy Gunn, Jane Anne Seale, Patti Giles, Hoss Baghay, Bob Fanning, Denise Brochetti, Sharon Hixon, Xiaoying Cui, Faye Nunez, Carolyn Boling, Linda O'Neal, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

September 16, 2006 Ramsey Cascade Trail Dayhike The hardest part of this hike was getting to the trailhead. Unbeknown to the leader, there was a classic car show in Pigeon Forge, which created more traffic than usual on a Saturday morning. Then someone driving a Honda wrecked on the road to Gatlinburg, restricting traffic to one lane. There were two hikers waiting for us at the trailhead that were a little irritated with us being so late. The morning was cool and clear when we started out. But we quickly warmed up on the climb. After the first 1.5 miles, we left the old roadbed and began our climb in earnest. At about the halfway point, be came upon some old growth trees. There were several giant tulip poplars. We measured one of them--it took five people to reach their arms around the tree trunk. These magnificent trees were truly the kings of this forest. As we climbed, we came to many rock steps in the steeper sections. There was also a good amount of boulder climbing. But the work was worth it. Due to dryer weather, the water coming over the cascade was less than at other times. This exposed the rock face and made a dramatic impact on all of us. We ended the event with a trip to The Timbers in Townsend and some very good fellowship. Those enjoying this outing were Patti Giles, Ned Giles, Steve Barnes, Tim Nicholson, Boodsara Kum, Owen Holbrook, Susan Faidley, Elizabeth O'Connor, Sharon Hixson, Michelle Anderson, Jane Anne Seale, Calvin Watson, Jeff Pickens, Blane Pickens, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

Our outing was complete with wonderful weather, a few maples beginning to turn red, contending with several large blowdowns, low but adequate water in the river and its feeders, a premature turn onto Hwy 68 on the way to Piney River (Can you imagine Donald doing a thing like that?), and a reminder of why we always re-group or post someone at trail intersections (one of the cardinal rules of the hiking club). During the day several of our group refreshed themselves in the river and/or lounged on the wonderful large boulders in the river. We also referred to the “Leave No Trace” principals involving not burning trash in the campfire, only burning wood smaller than one’s wrist, and packing out what you pack in. (Caroline: Thank you for packing out trash left by others before us.) After a comfortable night with the sound of the river, several of us made a side trip on the way out to the Twin Rocks Overlook, climbing the ladder within the wire cage to get to the top. (Joe subsequently e-mailed to the participants a great photo & music show of the trip using photos he and Bill took.) In all, an enjoyable trip and a fun group comprised of Chris Dohmen, Joe Herman, Bill Knoke, Linda O’Neil, Caroline Woerner, and Donald Box, reporting.

All avid hikers remember their very first wilderness hike as an important milestone. This was the first wilderness hike for several of our club members and they showed they all have the “right stuff”. They made a 2,000 foot descent down a 4,000 foot mountain, encountered 7 yellow jacket nests on the trail, did 18 slippery river crossings and still had enough strength to make a 1,000 foot climb at the very end. And remarkably, there was less than 5 minutes time between the finish of the first hiker and the last hiker (not counting Tim of course). Way to go, hikers, way to go! Thanks to Susan for being the co-leader and for sharing the Seven Leave No Trace principles. And thanks to Mother Nature for providing us with a place of solace to heal our anxieties and renew our sense of who we are and why we are here. Enjoying a day in the wilderness were: Patti and Robert Giles, Michelle Anderson, Mary Jerz, Susan Faidley, Fred and Linda Jungblut, Betty Boudreau, Tim Nichelson, Daniel Vanoy, Nathaniel Vanoy, Brad Mathis, Shaying Ceichina and Tony Cook reporting.

With sixteen people signing up to hike the Bluff Trail, and fourteen actually meeting at Cravens House for the shuttle up to Ochs Gateway, we divided into two groups, with Harold leading the group in front. After some extremely hot weather recently, we were rewarded with a pleasant day for hiking, although some haze and clouds obstructed our views at times. Enjoying this hike were Therese DeWitt, visiting from Kansas, who found us on the Web, Jean Biddle, Sherry Gilreath, Faye Nunez, Carolyn Perry, Clara Russell, Frances Mullinax, Donna Gorka, David Reed, Hoss Baghay, Sharon and Joel Gollop, Harold Wilkey, and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

You may ask yourself - how hard could a three mile hike on Lookout Mountain be? Answer: harder than you may think! My plan was to put together a short hike combining two or more trails to take advantage of beautiful Glen Falls. I decided to take the Shingle trail from the Shingle picnic area, cross Ochs Highway, and hike the Glen Falls trail to its terminus and back. I also planned a breakfast picnic at Glen Falls. Unbeknownst to me, the Shingle picnic area is closed early in the morning! We regrouped and decided to start the hike at the base of the mountain which meant much more of a climb than had been represented. We ascended to the Shingle picnic area and finally started on the Shingle Trail. Also unbeknownst to me and not represented on any map I have seen, the Shingle Trail divided into two trails. Which way do I go? I decided to take the well-traveled path. WRONG! After a few yards, the well-traveled path turned into a barely visible overgrown trail. After approximately another 1/2 mile, I gave up and turned the group around. We returned to the intersection and tried the other path - it was the correct one. We made it to Glen Falls only to find no falls because of lack of rainfall. We had breakfast and returned the way we came. Oh and it was hot, too. Unfortunately joining me was the following group who remained in good spirits throughout: Carolyn Perry, Lin fa Lee, Nancy Robinson, Mike Robinson, Caroline Woerner, Denise Bruchetti, and Paula Coffey. The Bungling Melissa Moreau, reporting.

We started off with a questionable day due to rain and heat. I had several cancellations due to this. Mt Cammerer was as great as always. Our visibility was reduced somewhat. Jerry had witnessed a large timber rattlesnake on a previous trip to the tower and we found where the snake had just molted and left a large skin behind. This was the same place where he had seen it before. It is uncomfortably close to the trail. We also found fresh Elk tracks on the AT and another hiker saw the Elk. The rain held off for most of the day, except we walked for three hours in a steady to hard rain. Those participation were John Rowland, Jerry Wright,Tony Cook, Tim Chomym and hike leader, Wayne Chambers.

After Donald enjoyed his free coffee at Chick-fil-A (and realized that he was at the wrong place) he eagerly joined the rest of us at McDonalds to wait for the rest of the group to arrive. Then we moved our cars to the Bi-Lo parking lot and loaded up for the ride to Cloudland Canyon. In addition to the beautiful weather and pleasant temperature, there was much laughter and camaraderie on this hike, which made it even more pleasant. As always, we stopped at all of the overlooks, and even a few places that looked like overlooks! I only missed one turn on this hike which ,thankfully, didn't result in too much extra distance being walked as it was getting close to the end of the hike and we were all getting hot! No one chose to go down to the falls because we had been told by other visitors that they were basically dry. Those who enjoyed the trip were Denise Brochetti, Melissa Moreau, Donald Box, Patricia Harrison, Doug Cooper, Patricia Dover-Bedwell, Sherry Gilreath, Chris Martin and hike leader Kendra Cross.

The morning started out ominous, and gray skies followed us off and on through the hike, but cloud cover only helped keep the heat down a little. An undaunted group of 11 started out from the Pot Point House along the 3.5 mile loop. I was disappointed not to see the moonshine still promised at point #7, and the climb to Azalea Point (stop #9) was steeper than I remembered, but once up, the rest was easy (other than those pesky cobwebs!). We paused at the river which, unbeknownst to me is a stop on the TN Blueway- a canoeing/paddling trail extending from Nickajack Dam. Being a Saturday, I expected a lot more boats to be taking out on the river, but it was a quiet, still day. Once we complete the loop, we explored the boardwalk and then retreated to the air conditioning of our respective cars. We had a mix of old members and some new faces as well. Making this short trek was Denise Brochetti, Patti Giles, Mary Jerz, Christine Barakat, Bob Fanning, David Reed, Vicki Lewis, Patricia Dover, and Mike and Nancy Robinson on sweep detail. Caroline Woerner reporting.

Despite forecasts of rain, six of us headed over to the Nantahala National Forest in North Carolina to enjoy the Snowbird Creek area. We found many fishermen and campers along the access road, but the forest was all to ourselves. The foot bridge over Snowbird Creek was a little treacherous, but passable. Recent rains had made all three falls spectacular in their size and beauty. We made it through the ford with no slips. And the briers weren't as bad a expected. Donald gave a gift to those hiking after us, as he trimmed many briers and branches back. Those enjoying this remote, wilderness experience were Bob Fanning, Donald Box, Wayne Chambers, Tim Chomyn, Carl Gatlin, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

The Cumberland Wild event last weekend was a big success for the Friends of South Cumberland State Park and a lotta fun! Only one CHC member showed up, but several others hiked part or all of the Door and beyond. We were leading one of 6 different hikes in the area. We started out with the hike lead by Ranger Jamie and then took the ones who wanted more distance and/or more geology info further down and beyond the Door, and then back to the ranger station via the Big Creek Rim loop for about 6 1/2 miles. - Mike and Nancy Robinson

Geology: The Cumberland Escarpment is between the Highland Rim Plateau at the bottom, and the Cumberland Plateau at the top. This veritable wall of rock begins deep in Alabama, and runs Northeast across Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Hard layers of Sandstone (Cumberland) and Chert (Highland Rim) sandwiching 1000 feet of porous limestone form the Flat Plateaus. In between, the escarpment is an extremely steep slope topped by 100 - 200 feet of sheer rock face. A significant feature of this escarpment is the Stone Door, a 10 ft. wide by 100 ft. deep crack, forming in the sandstone from the top of the escarpment into the gorge below. This is the only way to travel down to the bottom of Savage Gulf, and the creek which was the only source of water for miles. Generations of travelers, going back to the Cherokee and Chickamauga Indians, have negotiated the rough scramble down to the creek.

Classification: Savage Gulf is 15,590-acre class II natural-scientific state natural area located in Grundy County Tennessee. It is carved like a giant crowfoot into the western edge of the Cumberland Plateau, it is one of Tennessee's most scenic wilderness areas, and it boasts some of the wildest topography to be found east of the Rocky Mountains. The sheer sandstone cliffs and rugged canyons provide extraordinary views. Savage Gulf has been carved out by the Collins River, as well as by Big Creek and Savage Creek. All of these streams flow underground in places, though when the rain gets heavy excess water is forced across the surface. Description: Viewed from the air, Savage Gulf looks like a giant footprint, with five deep canyons radiating from a central point. These canyons (called 'gulfs' by local people) are each about five miles long and 800 feet deep and are rimmed almost continuously by sheer sandstone cliffs. Breathtaking waterfalls form at the head of many gorges, where streams drop off over hard caprock. Collins River and Ranger Creek have waterfalls that drop over limestone ledges and flow into sinks where they disappear. Big Creek, Collins River and Savage Creeks each tumble down over 5 miles, dropping over 800 feet through narrow gorges, forming the "Gulfs." Observed from a 750 overlook, Big Creek mysteriously disappears below. Many other big streams go underground cutting through shale and limestone to form dry creek beds.

History: Pre-European North America had a thriving trade in the materials of Stone Age technology. And much of the trade between present day Florida, Georgia, Eastern Alabama, the Carolina's, and the Central part of the continent was funneled through this tiny crack in the cliffs. As a result, the Collins River Valley, a backwater today, was a bustling culture, and a commercial center. Artifacts are incredibly abundant, almost none made from locally native materials.

All eleven of us knew it would be a special hike when the July day greeted us with low temperature and low humidity. Our 10 mile trek into the heart of the Cohutta Wilderness was filled with moments of quiet serenity and moments of exhilarating excitement. We made our climb up through the 20,000 year-old boulder field with courage and determination. Only after accidentally disturbing a nest of arrogant yellow jackets did we shift into high gear and scurry on up to the top of the 85 foot Panther Creek Falls where we truly enjoyed a “lunch with a view”. On the way back down through the boulder field we proved that hikers are superior to yellow jackets by our taking an alternate route. End result was yellow jackets 7, hikers zip.
But the excitement was not over yet. At our return crossing of the Conasauga River we all watched Donald walk a long log stretched across the river and then make a high, arching jump from middle way to the far river bank and land with a perfect 10, much to the applause of his teammates. The rest of us boldly declared we would have done the same except we already had our sandals on and our feet in the river.
By unanimous consent we dedicated the hike to Tim Nicholson who was making his first hike with the club since his very serious leg injury in January. Way to go, Tim! We’re glad you’re back. And yes, Tim is still a faster hiker than the rest of us.
Congratulations to Ernest Fraire who made his first club hike. Originally from Southern California, Ernest said he didn’t really know what to expect from our group. At the end of the hike, Ernest was heard to say, “You guys are hard core and I’m going to go buy some hiking boots.” And that about sums it all up.
Enjoying a beautiful day in the wilderness were Boodie Fox, Mary Jerz, John Rowland, Carol Cook, Donald Box, Melissa Moreau, Tim Nicholson, Michelle Patterson-Anderson, Ernest Fraire, Tim Chomyn, and Tony Cook reporting.

It was uphill and downhill on the Appalachian Trail. It was uplifting sun-splashed scenic vistas and then downpouring rain. It was a loud party crowd that spoiled plans to stay at Overmountain Shelter and then on Sunday it was the quiet soft beauty of fog-shrouded blossom-filled Rhododendron Gardens. It was two drowned-rat hikers crashing a fancy gourmet restaurant and finally it was the group capping off a memorable weekend with a laugh-filled lunch at Dandridge Seafood.
But mostly it was good fun because of Carol and birthday boy Boodie Fox, Patti and Ned Giles, Melissa Moreau, Mary Jerz, Lauren Rose, Kendra Cross, Betty Petty; Marnette Bowen, Mayra Steiner, and Bob Fanning. My thanks to them for joining me. Also thanks to Susan Faidley for introducing me to the beautiful and unusual Roan Highlands area three years ago. John Rowland reporting

Following a stop at the South Cumberland Recreation Area Visitor Center, we hiked from the Savage Gulf Stone Door Ranger Station to a great Alum Gap campsite, visiting all of the overlooks on the way. Beautiful day, but in the 90s. During the afternoon, 4 of us followed the pretty and enjoyable 1.4 mile trail to the lower Greeter Falls and its large, deep, and inviting plunge pool. Two of our party, unable to resist the urge, went swimming. We also visited the upper Greeter Falls. - - In the evening Joe H was late returning to the campsite. Then moaning loudly and complaining of his injured leg, he hopped into the campsite on one leg, with Donald supporting him. While others jumped up to see what the problem was and assist, Chris sat unmoved, with her professional eye having immediately determined Joe was only faking an injury. As is customary in Savage Gulf, the rangers visited our campsite just after dark. Also as customary, we had a nice campfire using wood no bigger than a wrist (in accordance with one of the 7 Leave No Trace ethics). - - Sunday again brought the 90s. Lunch was at the top of the Stone Door, which we then descended, ascended, and photographed. As we were leaving, a couple came up through the Stone Door and reported seeing a copperhead where some of us had been sitting to eat lunch. Helping to make this an enjoyable trip were Chris Dohmen, Joe Herman, Bill Knoke, Monty Simmons, Joe Teringer, and Donald Box, reporting.

Thirteen hikers enjoyed this five mile hike on the Fiery Gizzard Trail in celebration of National Trails Day weekend. Michelle Russell,representing the American Hiking Society which had been promoting the hike,met the hikers at Foster Falls to see them off. She had put up a banner for the hike and had posters and other promotional material for National trails Day and the AHS. The hike out to Laurel Gorge included several overlooks with views of Little Gizzard cove and the lower Fiery Gizzard. On the return hike the group split up,with about half staying on the main trail and the others taking the climbers loop. This newer trail follows the base of the bluff for about a mile,through an area which is becoming increasingly popular with climbers,then ascends from the base of Foster Falls,where two of our hikers took a moment to cool off in the water. Participants included Denise Brochetti,Patti Giles,Lauren O'Rear,Kellie Smith,Joel Gollop and his girlfriend Sharon,Morgan and Hilda Fraley,Tory and Joyce Kimbel,Linda Dickenson,and hike leaders Bob and Kim Butters.

Although our attendance at National Trails Day was down from recent years, everyone that came opted to go do trail maintenance. We had an great work crew of 9 volunteers, and the weather was perfect with cool temperatures and partly cloudy skies. We also had Robert Thomas from the Tellico Ranger District representing the Forest Service and helping with the maintenance on Rocky Flats Trail. We started brushing out the trail from the Wardens Field Campground on a portion of the trail routed high above Citico Creek. There weren't many views of the creek this time of year, but we could hear the rushing water swollen from recent rains below us. By lunch time we had cleared the first mile of trail, and stopped to eat near the confluence of Abby Branch and Citico Creek. That afternoon we cleared another 1/2 mile of trail to the headwater crossing of Abby Branch to complete the work trip. Many thanks go to the following workers who helped make a significant contribution to bettering the trails of the Citico Wilderness: Bob Ruby, Ester Nunley, Ryan Nunley, Betty Petty, Ralph VanPelt, Diana Ristom, Bill Ristom, and Wade Smith. - Ken Jones reporting

After occupying our campsite and eating lunch on Saturday, we dispersed in different directions. Some of us hiked, some biked. A couple of hikers encountered 45 minutes of rain, 30 minutes of hail, and 3 close-by lightning flashes. The others contended with showers. There was an enjoyable session around the fire at night which lasted an hour and a half or more beyond the time most of the campers normally would have gone to bed. (Thank you, both Joes, for the firewood.) Surprise: on Sunday morning Kendra did not leave before the rest of us knew it was even morning, as she has done in past years. Joe reported finding a frog in his tent. And after breakfast, people again went in different directions, hiking and biking, before leaving the Smokies. Attendees included Kendra Cross, Joe Herman, Lin-fa Lee, Melissa Moreau, Betty Petty. Joe & David Teringer, Calvin Watson, and Donald Box, reporting.

Four brave folks risked the ominous skies and met us in Dalton to carpool to the trailhead. It rained all the way to the trailhead and then quit about 5 minutes after we started hiking! The creeks were pleasant; not too cold or fast and the 18 crossings (9 each way!) were all fun and uneventful. Emery Creek Falls was flowing well and heavier than we saw last fall, due to recent spring rains. The trail was in good shape except for a few briars 'getting in our space.'
Six hikers altogether; 4 members and 2 guests: Denise Brochetti, Caroline Woerner, James Overton, Blair Brown, Mike & Nancy Robinson (reporting).

The wind cleared the sky for us on this beautiful spring afternoon. Patti had chosen how to spend her Mother's Day weekend and decided to spend both days hiking. Good choice, Patti! We climbed to Sunset Rock First and spent several minutes enjoying the richvi ews. Along the trail we identified Princess tree, fire pink, creeping phlox, mountain laurel, and Goats-beard. Enjoying the day were Denise Brochetti, Sunye Swanson, Patti Giles, Katherine Giles, and Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting.

Hey, we did it! We hiked from Shackleford Ridge Park on Signal Mountain, out to Edward’s Point on the old wagon roads, and found our way back without getting off trail! We had a beautiful day for our hike and it was a first time viewing of the Tennessee River Gorge from Edward’s Point for some of our hikers. Those hiking on this wonderful day were Lauren O’Rear, Matt Myers, Jean Biddle, Patti Giles, Carol and Boodie Fox, David Reed, Harold Wilkey and Mary Young, hike leader reporting..

This 10.1-mile outing began at the Stone Door Ranger Station in Savage Gulf and included numerous overlooks, a 110’ descent through the Stone Door into the Big Creek gorge, rocky trail conditions, side trips to Ranger Falls (where the water disappears underground) and the Sink (where the water also disappears underground), a climb out of the gorge, and a return on the Big Creek Rim Trail to the Ranger Station.
We also passed at least 26 wildflowers or shrubs which we identified as: bluets, buttercups, chickweed, cinquefoil, crested dwarf iris, daisy fleabane, dogwood, fire pink, foam flower, hepatica, may apple, pinxster, phlox, purple phacelia, rue anemone, star grass, Solomon’s seal, toothwort, trilliums (3 kinds), violets (4 kinds), wild geranium. - - Also seen was a large snake with several colors, which Donald assured us was an eastern rainbow snake.
Those attending were Donald Box, Tim Choymn, Carol & Tony Cook, Kendra Cross, Jane Ann Seale and Wendy Gunn, reporting.

From the beginning of the Hiking Club, members found that Lookout Mountain, with its thirty miles of interconnecting trails, was a wonderful place to hike -- so close to Chattanooga, with wonderful scenery in every season of the year, and with short sections of trails, making it a very convenient area to hike. On Saturday, April 15th, we enjoyed our 17th annual April wildflower walk. With the temperature approaching the eighties, the weather was perfect for discovering once again the many wildflowers that grow on the mountain. Making the hike this year were David Reed, Priscilla and Brian King, Lori Lammert, Genie Herndon, Connie Lusk, Harold Wilkey and Mary Young, Hike Leader, reporting.

This trip to Big Frog was focused on two very specific goals and was very successful. One group set out to do brush removal at least to the intersection with Rough Creek Trail. And they managed to get past that point with their hard work. The other group marched up the mountain some four miles to zero in on the removal of a large tree and the repair of long disused treadway that had been covered for some ten years. The crash of huge sections of trunk soon filled the air, and then the tread was back in place. After gathering up, we reinforced Don Bodley further up the mountain. One further large tree removal is planned for a non-CHC trip that will have all of this trail back on original treadway. Along for this trip were Harold Wilkey, Mary Young, Joe Teringer, Doug Cooper, Betty Petty, Don Bodley, Ken Jones, Steve Beiatowas of the USFS, and Ralph Van Pelt reporting.

After heavy rains the day before, we had a gorgeous day for our trip to and our hike on the Cumberland Plateau near Crossville, TN. Everyone enjoyed the views from the top as well as the numerous, awesome boulders. Also enjoyable was our side trip to the base of the mountain to Windless Cave, a huge cavern into which a creek flows. All went well and there were no "pranks" on this April Fools Day. However, Matthew Gant and Karis Leib enjoyed the mountaintop so well that they drove around to the north side and ascended by car on a road to the top. They then revisited the boulders and overlooks. Other hikers were: Allen Chesney, Tim Chomyn, Bob Fanning, Brian King, John Rowland, Jim Walker, and hike leader Boodie Fox, reporting.

We had a terrific walk on the Riverwalk in spite of the cold and wind. The weather conditions affected our speed and we moved faster than I had anticipated - arriving downtown around 11:00 a.m. where we stopped at Rembrandt's for coffee and a warm lunch. We then said goodbye to the one-way group and the rest of us made the return trip back.
Those in attendance were: Donald Box, Diane Davidson, Susan Faidley, Carol Fox, Carl Gatlin, Linda & Fred Jungblut, Brian & Priscilla King, Elizabeth O’Connor, David Reed, Ralph VanPelt, and Wendy Gunn, reporting.

On March 18th, nine hikers set out from Ringgold for Amnicalola State Park to hike the Approach Trail from the park to the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail on Springer Mountain. Because we had different people meeting us from various directions and because of a very long car shuttle, we ended up hiking from Springer to the park. The day begin cloudy and cold but warmed up quite nicely for a cool, crisp day. We arrived at summit of Springer Mountain between through hikers # 301, a lone female from Canada, and hikers numbers # 302, # 303, and # 304, three females. We received this count from an ATC ridgerunner posted on Springer. Unlike most club hikes, this hike afforded club hikers with an unique opportunity to people watch. We encountered numerous through hikers of a variety of age, physical prowess, and countenance from a young man asking directions to an older man whose pack was bigger than he was and who choose to tie his hiking boots to his pack while he wore sneakers. On the way home, we stopped in Ellijay to dine at the Cajun Depot Grill. Everyone enjoyed his/her meal for the most part. The atmosphere was appropriate, the prices were reasonable, and the service was good. Lastly, as Vice-President of the Chattanooga Hiking club, I have decided to issue an executive order. From this day forward, the Approach Trail to the AT will no longer be classified as a moderate hike but shall be and IS a strenuous hike. Fun was had by all who were fortunate to be outside on such a beautiful day - those persons being Tim Chomyn, Jane Seale, Allen Pogue, Ralph Van Pelt, Jerry Wright, Monty Simmons, Carl Gatlin, Don Bodley, and Melissa Moreau reporting.

Mt Sterling Dayhike March 11, 2006 “See the light, Ginger?”
She whimpered, “I see it, I think!”
“Come towards the light, Ginger, come towards the light!”
“I’m trying, I’m trying!” she gasped.
And so it was that we discovered a new (and apparently quite effective) method of encouraging a fellow hiker to climb the mountain!
We climbed the Mt Sterling trail worrying a little as the clouds thickened. On the first climb up the tower, we saw nothing but clouds, but as we were finishing lunch, someone pointed out that the clouds had broken up and were really flying by. Paula, Marnette, and I then climbed to the top of the tower and were rewarded with great views; even though there were still some clouds shrouding the tops of the higher peaks to our west, we still got a good clear look at Mt Cammerer and the North Carolina side. Then Cindy bravely climbed about halfway up to take a look; pretty good for someone who says she’s not too comfortable with heights.
As we descended the long Baxter Creek trail, we shed our jackets, etc., and enjoyed a sunnier and warmer afternoon. The day was topped off with the usual excellent dinner at Dandridge Seafood.
The hikers were Kendra Cross, Tim Chomyn, Paula Coffey, Ginger Bankston, Marnette Bowen, Cindy McJunkin (visiting us from Asheville, NC), and hike leader John Rowland reporting.

We began our trek to the top of Big Frog Mountain in the Cherokee National Forest on big Creek Trail. We climbed along the banks of Big Creek for over 2 miles amidst hemlocks and rhododendron. After a rest at the intersection with Grassy Gap Trail, we headed off down that trail. We then lunched at the intersection with Wolf Ridge Trail before we started the major climb of the day.
During the climb, we passed two ladies on horseback coming down from the top of Big Frog. We were amazed at the calm of the horses on that rough, rocky trail. When we got to the top of Big Frog Mountain, the leafless trees allowed a clear view of the surrounding countryside. We also found that it must have been dog day on the mountain. Several groups of hikers were there with one or more dogs. Some were very friendly; one in particular was very shy.
After descending along Big Frog Trail for a short distance, we reached the intersection with Big Creek Trail. This upper section of trail is little-used and never maintained. In places it was like bushwhacking. It is a very beautiful area on Big Frog. Hopefully, the Forest Service will be able to keep this section of trail open. Betty checked with some other resources and discovered that my distance was wrong - we actually hiked 13.5 miles. Those enjoying this late winter hike were Elizabeth O'Connor, Betty Petty, Myra Steiner, Randy Morris, James Anderson, Donald Box, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

The day started with clouds and ended with clouds, but in between we were treated to 3 or 4 hours of sunshine and quite pleasant balmy temperatures as we made our way through the gorge that makes up the Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness near Sparta, TN. Early on we had an exciting stream crossing using a rather loosey-goosey overhead cable for support. Shortly afterward some of us opted to climb the stairs to overlook the gorge from a bluff. We rejoined the others at Big Laurel Falls for a short break, and then continued on to Sheep Cave Falls. Finally we reached Virgin Falls itself, which was roaring in full force over its 110-foot drop. After a leisurely lunch break there, we retraced our steps back out of the gorge, tired but happy that we had visited such a special place.
The hikers included several very welcome new faces. The group consisted of Kendra Cross, Tim Chomyn, Denise Brochetti, Boodie Fox, David Bailey, Paula Coffey, Anna Depelteau, Raleigh Maddox, Ginger Bankston, Jill Pickett, and hike leader John Rowland reporting.

After talking to Ken Jones about several trails in the Tellico Ranger District, I was interested in trying a possible new loop hike that wanders around the state line on the border between the Citico Wilderness in Tennessee and the Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock Wilderness in North Carolina mostly on old roadbeds. Donald Box agreed to accompany me on this trip on an absolutely beautiful warm Thursday. So early Thursay morning we set out for Farr Gap. There was snow on both Citico Creek Road and Farr Gap Road, but as we were not the first thru, we pressed on. We had a very beautiful but otherwise uneventful drive up to Farr Gap.
By 11 we set off down the old road with Ken’s map in hand (actually in my backpack). There are many beautiful views out across the mountains from this road. There were occasional patches of snow but nothing too deep. No one else had been down in there since the snow. We stopped for a break at the first sharp switchback where there is an excellent opportunity to get lost, which we did not do. We made it down to the first creek crossing (Tallassee east fork) by lunch. This area has been used much in the past for camping (probably when the road was open) and there was quite a bit of garbage around. There was not enough space for a hiking group to camp however. We climbed the ridge between the two forks of Tallassee Creek and found an excellent campsite with plenty of space for 10 little tents under some excellent huge trees at the top of the ridge. However there was no water and there was a very large bear scat. We continued on downhill to the next creek (Tallassee, east fork) which is a lovely area with rhododendron but little space for more than 2-3 tents. There is more water here than in the first creek however. We continued on up the road about an 1/8 mile and the gorge opened out into a lovely relatively flat glade which could accommodate several tents.
We then progressed on up the old road toward Haw Knob on top of Tallassee Mountain. We were stopped by the gate across the road at the private property line and tuned back on the trail (manway) along the ridgeline of Tallassee Mountain. There were more blow downsthere than on the road. When we got to the place where the trail splits, we chose to follow the red line on Ken’s map rather than the blue. This little section of old trail was totally unmaintained but not too difficult to follow. It mainly needs brushing out. There was momentary confusion when we reached Slickrock Creek but we could see Stiffknee Trail on the other side. We then started up Stiffknee (now a part of the Benton MacKaye). This proved to be a rather steep scramble up the mountainside. However for us, the biggest challenge came after the scramble when we made it to the newly dug side hill section…..SNOW! The trail here is narrow and totally on the north side of the slope. This day it had 3-4 inches (in some places deeper) of snow. However since the day was so warm (I hiked most of the day in a short sleeved t-shirt) the snow was soft, slushy and very slick. We were quite glad to see Farr Gap again around 3:30. There were two horse trailers there now. We presume they were out on Fodderstack Trail. We did not see them.
This trail could be opened up without a great deal of effort, mostly sawing. There were many places where there were dead pines across the old road, some already sawed, some not. The hardest part of the trail is the mile or so on Stiffknee.

This was supposed to be the Grassy Cove Section of the Cumberland Trail. Because there were only five of us and due to the chance of inclement weather, we agreed to hike closer to home. Since we met in Soddy-Daisy we were only four miles from our trailhead. So driving up Daisy Mt. Road we dropped a car off and proceeded up and around to the Hotwater Road trailhead. We descended Little Soddy Creek gorge on an approach trail for about a mile, viewed a newly constructed bridge on the Cumberland Trail going north, then continued south for about five miles to the car we had dropped off. Along the way we saw some more coal mining remains, lots of rock formations, distant views and a beautiful waterfall near the end. After driving back to our beginning point we did a couple more miles on the Cumberland Trail going northward where we were delighted with some brief snow flurries. Hikers were Bob Flanning, Tom Herring, John Rowland, and leader, Boodie Fox.

This was to be a 2-option hike. However, for a variety of reasons, by the time we assembled at 6:45 am everyone had decided to do the 8.5-mile segment rather than the 13.7-mile option. On the way to Signal Point Park after placing vehicles on Suck Creek Road (TN Hwy 27) where we would come off the trail, we saw a bald eagle flying over the Tennessee River. On our way to Mushroom Rock where we had lunch, we took a break at Edward’s Point. Good view since not too hazy. (The numerous beer cans and trash left by ATV riders and others was not a pleasant sight.) While eating lunch, 3 ATVs arrived. Their riders claimed not to know they were in a restricted area, and said they had been told it was OK to ride in the area.) While descending to the North Suck Creek bridge and campsite, we met 5 members of the Cumberland Hiking Club coming up. (It is Hamilton County’s oldest hiking club, probably 60+ years old, all of its members are probably 60-80+ years old, and membership is by invitation only.) Reaching Suck Creek Road, there was an additional .3 of a mile uphill roadwalk to the vehicles. Those enjoying the day and the trail were Eddy Brooks, Tim Chomyn, Kendra Cross, Jane & Max Finch, Boodie & Carol Fox, Wendy Gunn, Faye & Melvin Nunez, Mayra Steiner, Ralph VanPelt, and Donald Box, reporting.

A large number of people had signed up for this hike, but this particular Saturday started with rain, and i expected few people to show up at the Ringgold McDonalds. Instead, some ten intrepid hikers arrived and then left for the trailhead in the rain. Three more met us at Estelle. As sometimes happens, the rain turned into an occasional mist and left us with only the red mud of Pigeon Mountain to worry about. Everyone negotiated the tunnels and the rest of the hike to the Pocket where we found the waterfall in full spate. After lunch in the old barn and a view of the mountains from the fields of the Pocket, we returned the way we came. On the way back we did encounter some gunfire from a pair of young squirrel hunters, but all hikers and wildlife survived.
Braving the elements were Denise Brochetti, Jane Finch, Max Finch, Jennifer Schroll, Sandy Lane, Randy Morris, James Anderson, Heidi Wilhelmsen, Susan Wilhelmsen, Kenneth Wilhelmsen, Bill Slack, Jennie Chandler, Kendra Cross and Ralph Van Pelt, reporting.

It was a cold winter morning when a dozen hikers met in Ringgold to begin our trip to the Cohutta Wilderness. The drive to the trailhead was almost as beautiful as the hike. We saw a wonderful waterfall along Forest Service Road 16 before we arrived at the trailhead. The bare trees afforded us views of the surrounding ridge lines as we hiked. And the best part was the snow flurries,at time quite heavy, that dusted the leaves and tree limbs with a sugary coating. The heavy rains the day before made the two crossings of Beech Creek an adventure. And Jacks River Falls was quite a sight. As we ate lunch by the falls, we noticed that the snow flurries at times were falling horizonally. The wind was nippy, but the company was warm. Those enjoying this trip were Wendy Gunn, Donald Box, Boodie Fox, Carol Fox, Don Bodley, Chris Dohmen, Eric Anderson, Trisha Harrison, Tom Herring, Randy Morris, Tim Chomyn, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

After nearly 12 miles of shuffling through the blanket of fallen leaves and reaching the road for the walk back to our vehicles, one hiker commented on how he was glad not to be hearing the sound of rustling leaves anymore. Some of us began our hike where the trail crosses Tower Drive on its way to Ransom Hollow Overlook and continued on to the always impressive Snooper's Rock Overlook. Others joined us there and hiked to the point where the trail reached Tower Drive. And some did both segments, making a big loop. The day was warm for a January (in the 50s during the afternoon), and although usually overcast, the sun broke through nicely while we were taking a break at 2 of the overlooks. We had numerous wonderful views of the Tennessee river, and the great rock formations that we passed. The great group of people participating in this enjoyable traditional New Year's Day hike in Prentice Cooper State Forest were Eric Anderson, David Belcher, Marnette Bowen, Denise Brochetti, Bob & Kim Butters, Wayne Chambers, Tim Chomyn, Alice Coffman, Carol & Tony Cook, Doug Cooper, Karen Dale, Wendy Gunn, Trisha Harrison, Marcie Miller, Bonny & Ron Rogers, Ralph VanPelt, Caroline Woerner, and Donald Box, reporting.

Wow! One week before Christmas and we had 25 people signed up for our Dec.17 Rock Creek hike, of which 21 were able to come and hike. It was almost a perfect day as we did the Rock Creek Loop and the upper reaches of Rock Creek for a total of about 9 miles. Due to recent rains, the beauty of the side streams, cascades, falls, and Rock Creek itself was at its height.
All enjoyed the day including Monte Matney who brought his "trusty fire rake" and went on ahead and spent the entire day working on the trail (with some brief help from Caroline Woerner) and joined us on our way back to our cars. Others were Donald Box, Herb and Linda Katzman, Denise Brochetti, John Rowland, Alice Coffman, Phil and Edith Snider, Ed Candler and son Nick, Joe Teringer, Ron and Bonnie Rogers, Randy Morris, Karis Lieb, James Anderson, Debbie Smith, Bob Newsom and hike leader, Boodie Fox. Happy New Year!

Many of us had never seen the Tennessee River and downtown Chattanooga look so crisp and clear from Lookout Mountain. A mix of blue sky, cool winds, and passing clouds followed us down the trail. Most of us climbed up to Sunset Rock for more views. We descended to the Bluff Trail, where we often lingered to admire the icicles hanging from the rocks and trees. Fortunately, we were able to side-step the ice on the trail. Enjoying a beautiful cold afternoon were Tricia Harrison, Joel Gollop, Sharon Schalk, Donna Dowlen, Ron Rogers, John Rowland, Doug Cooper, Bob Fanning, Denise Brochetti, Mack O'Rear, Lauren O'Rear, David Reed, Ruth Cartlidge, Art Thompson, and Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting.

Our first early December, early morning hike on the Brainerd Levee was on Saturday, December 5, 1998. So, Saturday, December 3 made our eighth annual hike. We have never before gotten really rained on. A light mist, maybe, but most of these hikes have been cold and dry. I guess we were in for a change this year. We had 21 register for the hike, but because of the forecast of rain, only eleven hiked. Actually, we did start hiking in a very light mist, but before we got back to our cars parked at Pep Boys on Brainerd Road, it was really raining. Breakfast at IHOP was, as usual, very, very good! Making this hike were Lin Fa Lee, Joe and David Teringer, Harold Wilkey, Betty Petty, Kray Kelly, Jennifer Schroll, Genie Herndon, Katherine Tiller, Denise Brochetti, and Mary Young, hike leader reporting.

The chilly morning scared off a few hikers, but for the rest of us, our drive to the Whitewater Center was complemented by beautiful fall reflections in the still pools of the Ocoee River. We were almost halfway into our morning hike before the sun warmed us enough so we could shed layers. Seven-year old Brenden was a good hiker but I think he was glad to see the end of our five miles! We rewarded ourselves with a barbeque lunch at Albie's Restaurant in Ducktown. Enjoying this day were Marnette Bowen, Deborah Roberts, Brenden Roberts, Jay Spada, Denise Brochetti, Linda and Herb Katzman, Loraine Rivers, David Reed, Bob Fanning, Brian King, Dennis Selva, Elizabeth and Chris O'Connor, hike leader.

Dark skies threatened our hike, but the fall colors were showing off their best and brightest. Due to dry conditions, we bypassed the detour to the waterfall's trickle. We stopped at every overlook, however, to pull out cameras for the red, yellow, rust, and tangerine colors laid across the canyon. The clouds lifted and we enjoyed sunbreaks while completing our loop. We hiked back to a picnic table on the canyon rim for lunch in an afternoon breeze. Enjoying a beautiful fall day were Denise Brochetti, Terence Howard, Joel Gollop, and Chris and Elizabeth O'Connor, hike leader.

Who said you couldn't drive three hours to the Smokies, do a 15.6 mile hike and get out before dark with the change in time? We had eight hiker to do that and we all enjoyed the colors of the Smokies. It had to be prime for the leaves for our hike. Most of the forest was primarilly yellow, with some reds and orange. We had perfect weather. Those enjoying the outing were Tony Cook, Bob Fanning, Ralph Van Pelt, Tim Chomyn and son, Owen Holbrook, John Hubbard, and hike leader, Wayne Chambers.

It was an absolutely beautiful day in all respects as we twelve hikers left Hixson and traveled a short distance to Falling Water and up the back side of Signal.
We enjoyed a brisk walk through the woods and around Clear Branch which offered some beautiful laurel, rhododendron, and spruce tree sections. We came to the Flipper Bend loop which leads to two great overlooks-one over the Tennessee Valley, the other overlooking N. Chickamauga Gorge. Later we ate lunch near some huge isolated boulders and the site of a long-abandoned still. We completed the loop and returned to our cars by early afternoon.
Hikers were Bill Flack, Susan Carroll, Debbie Smith, Faye and Melvin Nunez, Denise Brochetti, Tom Herring, Tony and Carol Cook, Wendy Gunn, and Carol and Boodie Fox, hike leader.

For our trip to the Stage Road campground, the leader had predicted a good group, great weather, a full moon, changing leaves, water about .2 of a mile from the campsite (or perhaps another .3 if the 1st source was not adequate).
We did have a good group!! The weather was great (sunny around 80, and 41 in the morning). The big beautiful moon and stars appeared right on time. The leaves didn't quite have their timing right (the few maples were beginning to be beautiful, but the others were apparently still thinking about what colors they were going to wear). - - The water source was a tub-sized static pool of brownish liquid with things floating/swimming on/in it. We all opted to find a better source. Not finding the remembered 2nd source, we travelled a mile from the campsite to find an acceptable, flowing source.
On the way to the campground, we stopped at Savage Falls, and checked out all 8 overlooks into the gorge. We found a very accommodating campsite and since everyone pitched in and gathered firewood, we had a nice fire in the evening and the following morning. (In keeping with the "Leave No Trace" principle regarding fires, we did not gather any wood over the size of a person's wrist. Well maybe up to a 3-inch wrist.) - - [And Ruthie: Thanks for baking and packing in the brownies for us.]
The group making this an enjoyable outing were James Anderson, Ruthie Cartlidge, Tony Cook, Kendra Cross, Joe Herman, Sue Leachman, Tony Stamp, Joe Teringer, Art Thompson, and Donald Box, reporting.

Chris and I locked up our bikes at Coolidge Park and drove our two carfuls of hikers to Chickamauga Dam on a beautiful clear morning. Great blue herons perched soundlessly on the bank, where water was not yet being released from the dam. Good conversation carried us down the clean Riverpark pavement, past the playground and Amnicola Marsh.
As downtown Chattanooga came into view, we pointed out landmarks and David explained some of the area's history. Flocks of Canadian geese arrowed by overhead, and we were passed by several cheerful bicyclists. Soon, our group of strong hikers was crossing the transparent overpass at the Hunter Museum and walking across the Walnut St. Bridge. Fred consulted his GPS and announced our hike as 7.5 miles.
Many of us walked on to Mud Pie for a relaxed brunch. Xiaoying had to get to work, but most of us had time to stroll through the Arts and Crafts Festival back at Coolidge Park. Eventually, Chris and I rode our bikes back to our cars at the dam. Enjoying a wonderful urban hike were Linda and Fred Jungblut, Denise Brochetti, Linda O'Neal, new member Xiaoying, David Reed, Chris O'Connor, and Elizabeth O'Connor, hike leader.

First of all, there is no truth to the rumor that the hike leader got passed up by the other two drivers and didn’t know it, and thus slowed down and arrived at the trailhead a few minutes after everybody else. Also, don’t believe the reports of one of the hikers trying to rustle a horse she fell in love with at the A.T. & Mt Cammerer trail junction. And there’s no way that some people went down the Low Gap trail so fast that they chased a poor startled bear into the woods and would have gotten a speeding ticket if a ranger had seen them racing into the campground at trail’s end.
The truth is we had a very pleasant early fall day to enjoy a leisurely 10.8 mile hike to the Mt. Cammerer lookout and back. The view was spectacular as usual, and several in the group were seeing it for the first time. We had plenty of time to relax and soak up the view and the sunshine while we ate lunch there. We even rescued a lost dog that we found at Low Gap on the way down. And after such a fun day, we enjoyed dinner at Carver’s Orchard near Cosby. (Yes, Mayra, we do occasionally eat somewhere other than Pizza Hut!)
The great bunch of hikers consisted of Nora Moore, Wendy McNabb, Ed Canler and his son Nick, Mayra Steiner, Hayden Wilson, Melissa Moreau, Tim Chomyn and his son David, Tom Herring, Tim (Downhill) Nicholson, and Jerry Wright, and the lucky hike leader was John Rowland.

Several years ago, our former president Eric Skrivseth organized the effort that led to the 'rescue' of Licklog Ridge Trail in the Big Frog Wilderness. Since then the club has spent many hours keeping the trail open. Our original effort bypassed an enormous tree that was near the top of the mountain...Eric decided that it was too big to deal with and we dug a reroute below it. This particular trip, Ranger Steve Biatowas went along, and he wanted to go cut a large tree he'd recently heard about that was supposedly about "half way in". We assumed Steve was talking about a new deadfall. Doug Cooper and i follow Steve on what turns out to be a four mile or so walk, only to learn (to our hair raising horror) that Steve wants to tackle the big tree Eric left behind, and with just the three of us. It turns out that nightmares faced are not so bad after all...the Forest Service crosscut saw defeated the monster tree, but we weren't able to finish it's removal and the repair of the treadway. So, finishing that task up will be the project for our next trip on November 12. Betty Petty, Caroline Woerner and John Rowland did a tremendous about of brush removal below the Rough Creek intersection and Don Bodley was there for his always amazing tree removal with his bow saw. Ralph Van Pelt, reporting.

This afternoon I was able to do two of my favorite things: go hiking, and introduce hikers to a trail system they hadn't visited before. Five of us left the Nature Center and followed the shady trails of Reflection Riding. After a brief stop at the gazebo, we returned along Lookout Creek, as turtles slipped into the still water beside us. Later we visited the raptors, red wolves, and other animals cared for by the Nature Center. We strolled the boardwalk and passed a birthday party at the treehouse. Enjoying this sunny afternoon were Leslie Garth, Denise Brochetti, Tony and Carol Cook, and hike leader Elizabeth O'Connor.

Being a wonderful day to be outside, we left vehicles at the Foster Falls trailhead where we would end our hike, and drove to the Grundy Forest Picnic Area where we began our 13½ mile trek. Before reaching the Dog Hole Trail which we climbed on our way to the spectacular Raven Point overlook (where we ate lunch), we stopped at the "Cave Spring" rock house, Sycamore Falls, and the Chimney Rocks (5 rock columns). After lunch some of us inspected a natural bridge, and then continued on the plateau to the descent into, and then out of, Laurel Branch Gorge on our way to Foster Falls. On the way, we climbed over fence stiles and passed through a pasture complete with cows. Our day was made easier due to several foot bridges (including a new one across Laurel Branch at the bottom of the boulder strewn gorge). We had a number of great overlooks during the beautiful day. After the hike, we stopped at a 100 year old grocery store in Tracy City for drinks, and marvelled at the wooden floor, obsolete freezers, display methods and products, and looked at old pictures of Tracy City and the store. Those participating in this enjoyable outing were Donald Box, Tim Choymn, Tony Cook, Brian King, Randall Payne, Elizabeth O'Connor, Ralph VanPelt, and Wendy Gunn, reporting.

The weather was quite pleasent when fifteen of us gathered at the Chickamauga Battlefield visitor center for our hike. However, several of us (including the hike leader) forgot our hiking poles! Thank goodness Wayne Chambers didn't need his, and of course we can always count on Donald Box to have a few extra as well. Once everyone procured a hiking pole and the car shuttle was taken care of, we were ready to hike. After passing the Dyer cemetary, Rosecrans headquarters site and the Lytle monument, we stopped for lunch at the Heg monument. After a break, we continued on to the south end of the park. This is an area that has very few monuments, and doesn't get much foot traffic. We wound our way along the trail, winding our way down to Chickamauga Creek. We continued along the trail, going back and forth from woods, to open fields. Along the last leg of our trip, we passed the Hunt cemetary which has several headstones dating back to the pre-civil war days. A special thanks goes to my co-leader Eddy for taking the lead for me. Those who joined me for this hike were Donald Box, John Rowland, Denise Borchetti, Holly McWhorter, Monty Keel, Boodie and Carol Fox, Wayne Chambers, Ned and Patti Giles, Katherine Giles, David Reed, Karen Padgett, Eddy Brooks, and hike leader Kendra Cross.

The holiday weekend and a threat of rain made for a small hike group- only 4 of us made the climb up out of the North Chicamauga Creek gorge. It was the first time for all but the leader on this trek past a very popular swimming hole near Soddy-Daisy. The initial climb made believers of all of us that the trail here IS steep and rocky. As it leveled out, we paused to admire the unusual rock faces and geological formations. Some unusual holes in the sand along the rock bluffs were determined by John to be made by “doodlebugs”; I remembered calling them “chicken chokers” as a child. After ascending the ladder, we arrived at the old mine site, only to find that the cart I remember there was overgrown by blackberries, some of which were actually ripe! John also found a patch of ripe blueberries; the location of which he refuses to divulge. The return trip along the Lower Loop (also, to our dismay uphill- first and only trail I know of that is uphill BOTH ways!) brought us, unfortunately, to an appliance graveyard, and several illicit fire rings (which we dispersed, post-haste) and we paused to pack up and carry out 2 Wal-mart bags of aluminum cans, just as the skies started misting and the swimming holes started emptying out. Making this enjoyable but tough climb were Sandy Lane, Bob Fanning, John Rowland and Caroline Woerner, reporting.

It was a little over cast on Saturday, June 25 when twelve of us left Winn Dixie parking lot to go to Lula Lake. Thank goodness it wasn't too hot, yet. We left the parking area and walked along the South Rock Creek trail before starting our assent to the bluff. We left the south rock creek trail and walked a short distance on the Middle road and then took the Ovenbird Trail up to the Bluff road. By the time we reached the bluff road, the sun had come out and the clouds were starting to clear. It was still quite hazy when we reached our break area at the overlook which looks over Chattanooga Valley, but the view was still a nice one. After a short break, we continued down the Bluff Road to Lula Lake. Several in the group walked down to Lula Falls while some of us went to the lake or sat at the picnic tables in the picnic area. Eddy Brooks, Doug Cooper and Owen Holbrook took a short side trip to climb some rocks to get to another over look for a different view of the falls. Several hikers found ticks and Karen and I saw a very unusual looking spider down at the lake. Everyone seemed to enjoy the trip. Today's hikers were Doug Cooper, Boodie Fox, Carol Fox, Karen Padgett, David Reed, Sheila Carman, Robert Lay, Lynn Boone, Clara Russell, Owen Holbrook, co-leader Eddy Brooks and hike leader Kendra Cross.

Well, we didn’t see nearly as many flame azaleas as we had hoped, but still it was a pretty day, and we did see a lot of mountain laurel. And Spence Field is still a very special place. Lying on our backs after lunch in thick, thick foot-long grass and watching the big fluffy clouds go by was really relaxing. For those who didn’t know Boodie was a dancer, you should have seen his high-stepping snake dance on Bote Mtn Road on the way up. And later in the afternoon, Susan first heard and identified a Scarlet Tanager, before spotting it high in a tree and pointing it out to the rest of us. Hikers enjoying the day were Boodie Fox, Susan Faidley, Jerry Wright, Jane Finch, and Spears McAllester. Thanks for the good company from hike leader John Rowland, reporting.

This was a backpack of extremes: highs and lows, hot and cold. We started at the end of the Road to Nowhere (Lakeshore Drive) out of Bryson City, NC. This is one of the lowest points in the park. We went all the way to Clingman’s Dome (6,643'). On Saturday we started up the Lakeshore Trail and then turned onto Forney Creek Trail. This area was once heavily settled, and there are still signs of habitation. The trail follows an old railroad bed most of the way. The grade is easy, but always climbing. There were five wet crossings on the first day. Donald was the only one who made it through all five without getting wet. Elizabeth says that he must be part mountain goat!
Shortly before reaching the campsite, we heard a low growling noise. At first we though it was a bear. Then we saw a wild sow and her piglets (at least three). Fortunately, she went away from us. We didn’t want to get between her and her piglets!
The first campsite was very crowded. But we had a nice campfire (which Donald did NOT start). We climbed the rest of the way to Clingman’s Dome on the Forney Creek, Forney Ridge, and Appalachian Trails. The view was fairly clear, but the wind was cool and brisk. We descended on the road for 1.5 miles to the Noland Divide Trailhead, which we took for 3.7 miles. Then we turned onto the Noland Creek Trail for 2.2 miles to our second campsite. This site we had pretty much to ourselves, except for the trash and manure that some horse hikers had left. Some wild pigs had also been there recently tearing up the ground. One came back in the night for more, but was disappointed because humans were there, so he left.
On Monday, we finished the the Noland Creek Trail all the way to Fontana Lake (about 1,750'). Near the end, a park ranger in a pickup asked if we had seen two fishermen in full camo. We had passed them a few miles up the way. He took off after them. We wondered what they had done.
Over the tree days, we saw over 50 wildflowers. Because of the extremes in elevation, we saw some flowers in bloom at higher elevations that had long since faded in the lower reaches. Among those that we saw were rosy twisty stalk, bowman’s root, three types of trillium, hobble bush, minnie bush, bishop’s cap, showy orchis, indian cucumber, bluets, mountain laurel, and jack-in-the-pulpit. We finished the weekend with some good hot food in Bryson City before driving back. Those enjoying this backpack were Elizabeth O’Connor, Donald Box, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

So much for dropping bread crumbs to make certain we didn’t get off trail. After very carefully flagging our way on the old wagon roads out to Edwards Point with yellow flagging, we missed one critical point. And, yes, we got off trail on the return hike. We weren’t lost, though, since we were almost to Edwards Point Road, which we walked to the trail crossing and our starting point at Shackleford Ridge Park. We had a wonderful day for hiking, and several of the hikers had never been to Edwards Point! Making this almost 8-mile hike were Martha Duff, Jean Biddle, Boodie and Carol Fox, Linda and Fred Jungblut, Connie Lusk, David Reed, Harold Wilkey, and Mary Young, hike leader reporting.

Within the first half mile of this 12-mile trip on Fall Creek Falls State Park’s Cane Creek Lower Loop Trail, we encountered a 37 ¾ ” black snake and a 10” eastern ring neck snake. - - Was this an omen of things to come? (No, we did not see any more snakes.) Notes from this trip 3 years ago referred to the rocky 700’ tough descent into the gorge and tougher climb back out of it (all within 1.5 miles) to reach Back Country Campsite #2, the poison ivy and stinging nettles crowding the trail, the campsite pump providing rusty water, the really bad privies, ticks and ants, the incessant whippoorwills all night long, and the endless blowdowns following the pine beetle infestation. - - This time, no ants, a new privy (inhabited by a spider about the size of a slice of bread lurking in the primary part of the privy), and only half a dozen blowdowns. The poison ivy and nettles were thicker and had more of a strangle hold on the trail. Bill won the award for the person finding the most ticks on them self. We crossed several long suspension bridges, had wonderfully comfortable weather, a full moon, a campfire, and saw a blooming pink lady’s slipper, mountain laurel, and a number of other wildflowers. Those responsible for making this an enjoyable trip were Kendra Cross, Wendy Gunn, Bill Knoke, Joe Teringer, and Donald Box, reporting.

After a night of rain and storms, six of us ventured to Black Mountain, near Crossville, and began our hike. The rain had stopped and only the water dripping from the trees dampened us and the small streams were easy to cross. There were many wildflowers blooming and sections of the forest floor were covered with May Apples and trillium, many of which were blooming. Of course it was overcast and the clouds enshrouded the mountain top, but that was beautiful in itself, missing only the distant views. Hiking were Chris O’Connor, Sharon Hixon, Tim Chromyn, Wayne Chambers, John Rowland, and leader/reporter Boodie Fox.

After getting warm, a hot shower, and a few days passing following this late April carcamp, those who attended some or all of it will no longer vividly recall the intensity of the cold, the wind, and the rain. Instead they will remember the more enjoyable aspects of the outing, such as the deer in the campsite, the wildflowers, the camaraderie. True, a storm put out the campfire about 9:pm Friday night, eventually driving everyone into their tents (where some listened to the rain and thunder during the night). Though Saturday was mostly overcast, cold, and windy, some people visited parts of the Smokies they had never been to before (Clingman’s Dome parking lot and bathroom, in the snow); some bicycled, some hiked; one went shopping (and got a hot shower). After supper, 3 waves of light showers chased some people to their tents prematurely. (The campfire survived this time.) It was cold during the night (one lady who “never gets cold” during a night in her tent, got cold). We woke on Sunday morning to find a light coat of snow on tents, the picnic tables, and cars. The morning campfire felt good. - Donald Box, reporting

What a wonderful day for hiking! The temperature was in the 50’s and the sky was absolutely cloudless. Not all the wildflowers on our list were blooming yet, but thanks to Betty’s keen eye, we now have two additions to the list of flowers we have actually spotted on our hikes on Lookout — hepatica and sweet azalea. Hiking on this beautiful day were Fred and Linda Jungblut, Judi and Don Bell, Carol Fox, Amy Murray, Betty Petty, Connie Lusk and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

Before we could get to the gulf to view the wildflowers, we had an interesting creek crossing at Suter Falls! Fortunately for us, the ranger had already been there to string a rope across because of the heavy rains the week before. We identified 21 blooming wildflowers - Bluett, Hepatica (blue, white, purple), Trout Lily, Woodland Phlox, Spring Beauty, Rue Anemone, Violets (habard, white, yellow, purple), Trailing Arbutus, Dutchman’s Breeches, Phacelia, Redbud, Foamflower, Yellow Trillium , White Trillium, Wake Robin , Wild Geranium, Chickweed, Toothwort, Cinquefoil, Larkspur, Blue Cohosh. Also not blooming yet were: Bellwort, Lousewort, Mayapples. Thanks to Susan Faidley for keeping up with list. Others on hike were Wayne Chambers, Ralph Van Pelt, Bob Allen, Joe Terringer, Ron Van Dyke and guests Michael Santucci and Tara Wheeler. Hike leader - Betty Petty.

It was a dismal start for this wildflower hike, as it was pouring down Saturday morning. Nine of the fourteen scheduled to show actually arrived in Ooltewah. By the time we hit Gatlinburg, the rain had started. But the precipitation would start again as we hiked up the trail - in the form of SNOW! Who would have though we would have snow in April. But they say to be prepared for anything in the Smokies. Despite the snow and mud, we had a great hike. There were many wildflowers, even with the cool temperatures. These included several species of trillium, hepatica, chickweed, bloodroot, several types of violets, fringed phacelia, trout lily, rue anemone, foam flower, dutchman’s britches, fraser’s sedge(unique to the Smokies), brook lettuce, and bishop’s cap. The area of Porter’s Creek and the greater Greenbriar area was once heavily settled. There were remains of several homesteads still visible, including stone walls, parts of chimneys, and a root cellar. Despite the snow, this was a most enjoyable hike. Those enjoying the walk and the wildflowers were Tom Herring, Donald Box, Bob Fanning, Tim Chomyn, Jane Ann Seale, Tim Nicholson, Mayra Steiner, Alan Snyder, and Doug Cooper, your reporter.

A more gorgeous day could not have been ordered for the 12 of us who made the one-hour trip over the mountain, through Sequatchie Valley and on to our trail site. We began at Piney Falls, crossed a very high suspension bridge, and moved on for 3 miles to a back-country campsite where we took our first break. Through this section, we walked through tornado damage for 15 minutes . After our break Kurt tried out the well pump (which worked). We then descended (approximately 800 feet) to Cane Creek, crossed another suspension bridge, ascended the other side, and moved on to a second campsite where we ate lunch. Afterward, we hiked to the intersection with the Paw Paw Trail, which led us to the Nature Center. Running a little late, we decided to end our hike there after 9 ½ miles. We had left a car there and were therefore able to retrieve our other cars at Piney Falls. Throughout the day we saw deer, wild turkeys, and other hikers and backpackers. Hiking were Tim & David Chomyn, Laura Riggs, Melissa Moreau, Mike Rinehart, Tom Herring, Spears McAllister, Tim Nickolson, Mayra Steiner, Kurt Emmanuele, John Rowland, and Boodie Fox, hike leader and reporter.

The trails in Shackleford Ridge Park are constructed very well, with several substantial bridges over the drainages, including a swinging bridge and a covered bridge. I wasn’t certain of the mileage since I was putting together 3 different trails with some overlap, but Carol verified our 5 miles on her pedometer. Those enjoying a beautiful hike on a wonderful spring morning, with just a sprinkling of the wet stuff as we started out, were Laura Riggs, Carol and Boodie Fox, Connie Lusk, Roger Coffman and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

On a morning that began in the 30s and went to a beautiful day in the 60s, 8 of us did the 1st 3.3-mile segment of this trail It took us to a beautiful view from Ransom Hollow Overlook, through a large rock formation, and to the Hemlock Branch campsite, before reaching the Snooper’s Rock parking area. Here 5 people left (after visiting the overlook) and 7 people joined us for the 9.2-mile segment. It began with a visit to the Snoopers Rock Overlook, and continued to the Natural Bridge and lunch. We continued on (with an enjoyable break at the Raccoon Mountain Overlook) through some very pretty areas. (4 minutes after Wendy asked about the possibility of seeing some deer, we saw 3. We also met a fellow who reported he regularly looks at the club’s web site, and was impressed with how active the club is.) Many areas of the trail had sustained much tree damage due to the pine bark beetles and the storm following Hurricane Ivan this summer. The State Forest Service has done a great job in clearing the trail by cutting through the downed trees. Those enjoying the day, the trail, and the company were, Doug Cooper, Boodie Fox, Wendy Gunn, Bob Newsom, Faye & Melvin Nunez, Elizabeth O’Connor, Betty Petty, Mollie & Roger Rupp, Buck & Courtney Taylor, Caroline Woerner, and Donald Box, reporting.

It wasn’t the prettiest of days, but fortunately we didn’t get rained on. After getting an early start, we stopped at least momentarily at most of the nine or so overlooks we came to as we wound our way along the north rim of Savage Gulf. At Tommy Point we enjoyed the wonderful view, and tried to visually determine the locations of Sawmill Camp below us and Collins Gulf and Stone Door off in the distance. After a leisurely lunch break at Tommy Point, we returned along the North Rim trail, but veered off the planned route to take the Mountain Oak and North Plateau trails back to the ranger station. It was shorter and poor Mayra was just worn out… Hikers were Debbie Smith, Allen Pogue, Mayra Steiner, Tim Nicholson, Carol and Boodie Fox, Jerry Wright, and hike leader John Rowland, reporting.

Despite the forecast of rain, and several cancelations and no-shows due to the gloomy forecast, 7 undaunted spirits set off for Skyuka Springs. We started out among clouds and occasional light mist. This was the first time I have ever seen Reflection Riding deserted- we had the lot to ourselves. Within the first 2 miles we passed by the Chief Walkingstick cabin, a cabin once lived in by a Cherokee indian chief, and later transported here from the Smoky Mountains. We continued on along Nelson’s Upslope, past Bishop’s bench and on to the frog pond by a small gazebo. From there, we picked up the lower Truck trail. Along the way was lots of evidence of pine beetle damage, and recent trail maintainance (the Lower Truck is also a fire road, so it is imperative that it be kept cleared.) By the time we reached the spring, the skies were getting light and the sun was trying to come out. Donna was wise enough to have packed along a groundcloth large enough for all to sit on as we took a snack break at our destination. 2 miles back towards the cars, however, the skies gave way to mist again, but only briefly. We returned along Lookout Creek and stopped long enough to look through Cherokee Eye and then to walk down the boardwalk at the Nature Center. Several wanted to see the red wolves (we heard them howling when we first arrived), but being Sunday the animal area was closed (much to Vickie’s relief-I still don’t think she’s convinced that they can’t escape!). We were abled to take a peak at the snakes however. Participants on this overcast but enjoyable hike were Donna Young, Vickie Clark, Donna (always prepared) Tate, Sandy Lane, Leanne-(my New-Balances -will never be white again) Thompson, Tom Baker, and Caroline Woerner, reporting.

It was a frosty morn when we set out for the Cherokee National Forest for this hike. But by the time we had hiked 30 minutes we were shedding layers. The sky was a beautiful clear blue and the sun was warming. The view of Big Frog Mountain was spectacular from the trail. We had our snack along Rock Creek, in a small, cool hollow with rhododendron and a small cascade of clear, cold water. Those enjoying this great winter hike were Tim Chomyn, John Rowland, Tam Wood, Don Bodley, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

What a change a week can make! The January 29 hike had to be canceled because of an ice storm moving through the area, while, on our Lookout Mountain hike on February 5, we walked in temperatures ranging in the 40’s and 50’s, and, with sunshine. Because we had so many people wanting to hike, we modified our limit, and recruited Harold Wilkey and Jean Biddle to help, so were able to accommodate as many as 20, in two groups of 10. However, with 4 no-shows, we ended up with 16 hiking. After a short car shuttle from Cravens House where our hike ended, we started at Ochs Gateway with Harold leading the first group. I acted as the sweep for the first group and the leader of the second group, while Jean was the sweep for the second group. The second group waited about 5 minutes before starting to hike. The first group did wait at all trail intersections, and there was some interchange of hikers between the two groups. This hike also included the beautiful Bluff Trail and the Cravens Trail. Hiking were Judi and Don Bell, Leanne Thompson, Bill Galbraith, Harold Wilkey, Jean Biddle, Boodie and Carol Fox, Debbie Smith, Bob Fanning, Marcia Mathison, Katherine Philp, Connie Lusk, Faye and Melvin Nunez and Mary Young, Hike Leader, reporting.

There was a big turnout of jubliant BMTers to complete the last portion of the 22 miles new trail of the 85 miles of the Benton-MacKaye through the Cherokee National Forest. This was a historic day for all who have been involved and a major accomplishment for the BMTA. The last section completed was the stretch from Sandy gap to Twenty-Mile Gap. This was the bushwhack portion of the hike our club did Nov. 15, 2003 (Jan ‘04 newsletter)
In Dec. ‘03, Trail Construction chief, Ken Jones (also a member of CHC) said "I may be an optimist, but I think we can get this new extension done in two years. At least, that's my hope." For this accomplishment, Ken will be awarded the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Amer- ican Hiking Society at the South eastern Foot Trails Conference

Once more, the weather forecast for 9:00 a.m. was “showers.” However, we were able to hike the 5-mile General Bragg Trail in the Chickamauga Battlefield, with no trace of rain, although it was cool and windy. The limit to this hike was 12, but Boodie Fox called earlier in the week and volunteered to help lead if more that 12 persons wanted to hike since this was the only club hike scheduled. So, we had 17 hiking this enjoyable, though muddy in spots, hike: Kendra Cross, Eddy Brooks, Carol and Boodie Fox, Allen Pogue, David Reed, Ruthie Cartlidge, Art Thompson, Allen and Karen Padgett, Margie Patterson, Avery Kerley, Connie Lusk, Lynn Caldwell, Joel Gollop, Harold Wilkey and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

This Saturday began with rain and clouds moving east ahead of us, as we drove to the trailhead. Actually we did more driving around than i had planned, since US 64 through Ocoee was closed, forcing us to drive from Ooletewah to Ringgold and on from there. The ceiling had not completely lifted once we arrive at Trackrock Gap and we began the steep climb into fog, accompanied by the sound of the wind and Wayne's frequent complaints about this being "another one of those Georgia hikes from Heck." (Wayne used the other word). We got across all the ups and downs to the summit, and found that the viewing tower was being repaired. This was just as well, as the clouds had not lifted yet. After a lunch in intermittent sun, we went back down the same way, but this time were treated to some fine views. Along for this hike were Donald Box, Elizabeth O'Connor, Allen Pogue, Wayne Chambers, Spears McAllester, Susan Faidley, Wendy Gunn, Tim Nicholson, Bob Fanning (first time with the club) and Ralph Van Pelt, reporting.

Would you believe mid-60s temperatures for our traditional New Year's Day hike in Prentice Cooper? (Generally it is around freezing, sometimes with ice and/or snow.) - - Anyway, 23 people began the first 3.7-miles that took us to the Indian Rock House and then along the bluff line above the Tennessee River, to Snooper's Rock Overlook (where in addition to the wonderful view, we saw the survey marker TVA place to honor Harold Wilkey for his years of service). At the parking area for the overlook, 14 people left, and 3 joined us for the 6.5-mile, freshly blazed segment that took us to the Mullen's Cove overlook, into and out of the Mullen's Creek Gorge, through a boulder field, and to the Cumberland Trail parking area. Some of the group got caught up in making this enjoyable trail even better by clearing branches and small tree trunks from the trail as they went. (Steve moved the downed 10-20 foot trees.) The only unsettling note was at lunch, when Caroline found a tick crawling on her. (Remember, this was January 1st!!) - - The great group of people enjoying one or more segments of this leisurely paced hike were: John Ball, Raymond Beach, Wayne Chambers, Doug Cooper, Kendra Cross, Karen Dale, Susan Faidley, Joni Fisher, Boodie & Carol Fox, Genie Herndon, Wendy Gunn, Ken Hudgins, Spears McAllister, Tim Nickolson, Margie Patterson, Betty Petty, Katherine Philp, Beth & Steve Russell, John Wayne, Harold Wilkey, Caroline Woerner, Jerry Wright, Mary Young, and Donald Box, reporting.

Thirteen of us enjoyed an absolutely perfect hiking day, sunny, clear and temperatures between mid-30s and 50 degrees. This was a section of the Cumberland Trail near Sale Creek, Tennessee, beginning just 2 miles off US Hwy 27 on Leggett Road. We meandered up and down above Rock Creek, crossing several trail bridges that took us over Boiling Springs, Flat Branch and Rocky Branch, an inner gorge overlook, and to Leggett Branch (Caroline’s favorite) with its beautiful cascades. On the way back, we looped to the mountain top (passing within .1 of a mile of the upper Leggett Road access) and then on to the side trail leading to the Leggett Overlook where we ate lunch. We then continued down t he other side of the loop leading back to the bottom and on to our cars - a total of about 9 miles. Hikers were Rick Zollinhofer, Fred & Linda Jungblutt, Mayra Steiner, Tim Nickolson, Caroline Woerner, Donald Box, Calvin Watson, Allen Pogue, Kurt Emmanuele, John Rowland, and Carol & Boodie Fox, hike leader.

When we started hiking, the sky was cloudy, with a threat of rain. However, we walked our five miles on the Brainerd Levee before the rain started a few hours later. It was cold, and the wind was blowing, so most of us were bundled up — a good warm-up for another delicious brunch at the IHOP! This was a great hike enjoyed by Sharon Anderson, Karen Dale, Linda Wooden, Margie Patterson, Allen Pogue, Carol and Boodie Fox, Mayra Steiner, Harold Wilkey and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

The final day of trail work of 2004 took us to the Grassy Gap trail in the Big Frog Wilderness. Grassy Gap is an interior trail, so we had to park at the Big Frog trailhead and walk some distance before we could reach the beginning point of the trail. That turned out to be a good thing as there were a few trees down on Big Frog trail that we removed on the way in. Kurt Emmanuele brought a group from Baylor, and with the help of Steve Biatowas of the Forest Service, they did a lot of much needed treadway repair. The rest of us spent a good deal of time dealing with 'beetle kill". A number of pines continue to fall from the effects of the recent pine beetle infestation and that will continue to be a problem. We found a large area of trail had been taken out by a landslide just short of the Big Creek intersection. This was likely from one of the recent hurricanes, and the repair of this damage may take a whole days work.
Along on this trip were Caroline Woerner, Donald Box, Doug Cooper, Donald Bodley, Kurt Emmanuele, Matt Green, Mitchell Land, Carl Schon, and Ralph Van Pelt, reporting.

Although the calender said it was November you would have a hard time convincing the 5 hikers that turned out to hike the Chestnut Top Trail. Colors were still very beautiful in the mountains and the warm air felt more like September. We began our hike with a moderate climb which took us far above Townsend and the Little River. It almost made you dizzy as you hiked along the narrow trail with a deep drop to one side and a vertical wall on the other. We made our way to Schoolhouse Gap where we relaxed and at our snacks. On the way back to the trail head we encountered a small snake and also smelled the recent passing of wild boar. Those on the hike were Debbie Burchard, Caroline Woener, Tim Nicholson, Tim’s sister and first time hiker Karen Fitzke, and hike leader David Estes.

The sky was cloudy and the temperature was in the 50’s — perfect for hiking. Starting at the Nature Center, we walked through the Reflection Riding property, and followed the Lower Truck Trail out to Skyuka Spring and back. We still don’t know exactly how far we hiked, since a sign on the Lower Truck Trail indicated we should have hiked 8 miles. However, since our time was actually better than our standard 30-minutes per mile, it was probably more like the 6 miles as advertised. Enjoying this outing were Vince Pass, Roger and Mollie Rupp, Marcia Mathison, Carol Fox, Katherine Philp, Anne and David Anderson, Sharon Mease and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting

This was a great hike even if we were walking in a cloud all day. BMTA had the trail up Sugar Mountain in spic and span shape and had it well blazed. However once we crossed over the mountain into the Bald River watershed which is a Wilderness study area, there are no blazes. Trail was still in good shape down to the first crossing of Bald River where it turned into a ‘Wades-in-water’ hike. We followed the old road beside the river crossing two side streams almost as big as the Bald River which did not appear on my map. The most difficult crossing of the day was Brookshire Creek. There were technically only 2 ‘river’ crossings but 3 others that were boots off as well! The upper Bald River Falls was very full. We scrambled down the bank to take pictures. But this is a lovely section of trail with both ridgetop walks and beautiful streamside sections. We passed a hunter camp on the way out already set up for the gun season starting on Monday. Four people participated on this hike - Allen Pogue, Don Bodley, Tim Nicholson, and hike leader Betty Petty.

From the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, the same group that did the Piney River backpack trip over Labor Day (unfortunately minus 2 members) followed the North Rim Trail 8 ½ miles to the Hobbs Cabin campsite, stopping to enjoy the 8 overlooks along the way. For an hour or so, beginning about 1:30, a light mist and overcast skies seemed to say Mother Nature could release rain on us at anytime she felt like doing so. However, after a few people put on pack covers and/or rain gear the threat subsided. Arriving at the campsite, tents went up, water was obtained, we planned having a contest to see which of the guys had the whitest legs (but we didn’t do it), firewood was gathered, supper was prepared, and a fire was lit to build a bed of coals so Chris could make and cook an apple pie for us (which as usual, was great). We had a full moon and a star-filled sky (except during 2 very brief spates of rain) as we enjoyed the extra hour of sleep since this was the night to “fall back” an hour as we returned to Standard Time. We managed to finish breakfast, but not take down tents, before a real rain began, resulting in people seeking shelter under the Hobbs Cabin porch roof as soon as they had their tent down and packs ready to go. Here the decision was made to hike out the same way we came in (as opposed to the longer route over the North Plateau Trail as originally planned). The rain stopped as we started out, and we had even better views from the overlooks than we had on the way in. Our happy group included Kendra Cross, Chris Dohmen, Smokin’ Joe Herman, Bill Knoke, Tim Nickolson, green color coordinated Mayra Steiner, and flashlight legs Donald Box, reporting.

An overcast but dry day welcomed 18 hikers for this rather warm late October day. We began at the new, but uncompleted parking area, and rambled off into the woods, up and down, and along streams which led to 2 outstanding overlooks. We ate lunch at the one over North Chickamauga Creek Gorge. We got a surprise when (at first not recognizing what we were seeing through the woods up ahead) a strange sight turned out to be 26 horses in full saddle gear hitched to trees. Their riders were off enjoying an overlook a short distance away. All of our hikers, some new, enjoyed the day and did great, except for a few who encountered a yellow jacket nest. We hiked 10 miles (one more than planned because the - uh - leader took a wrong turn at one point). Hikers included Melvin and Faye Nunez, Debbie Lambert, Freda Richie, Pat Rose, John Rowland, Karis Leib, Nichole Martin, Wendy Gunn, Keith Dolberry, Owen Holbrook, Donna Holbrook, Melissa Moreau, Marcia Mathison, Ryan and Wendy, McNabb, Carol and Boodie Fox (the ‘lost’ leader and reporter).

On a rather warm day for October, we played hide and seek with the sun, enjoyed some nice fall colors, and played tag with Abrams Creek all day.
Priding ourselves on making the first steep but short climb on Little Bottoms manway without having to stop for resuscitation, we continued uphill and down until we reached Abrams Falls, where we relaxed to the sights and sounds of the falls while we ate lunch. After a leisurely return hike back to our vehicles, we drove up through the Top Of The World community to the Foothills Parkway. There we stopped for a short visit to the Look Rock tower. By then it was quite overcast and windy, but still we appreciated the scenic vistas, especially looking out over the area in which we had been hiking all day.
Welcome to first-time club hiker John Hubbard, and thanks to him and Carol and Boodie Fox for contributing to a most enjoyable day from hike leader John Rowland, reporting.

This hike was a last- minute substitution, so by Thursday, I had only 2 members sign up, one of whom was going to bring a couple of guest hikers; Friday that one canceled, (taking his guests with him) and a couple of folks from Ohio passing through on their way home from Atlanta saw our web page and asked via e-mail to join us. Saturday morning started out overcast and the rain predicted for Sunday started in early. Undaunted, our group of 5 started up Bakewell Mountain to the Possum Creek trailhead. This section was constructed in the spring, and has been left to its own devices since. After a short bushwack, we found the beginning of the trail. I had anticipated a lot of downed pine trees due to both Frances and Ivan and much to my relief, the damage was minimal. However, we found downed pines to be the least of our troubles. After a short decent through the pine thicket, we emerged into the clear cut only to find ourselves entangled in the worst blackberry thicket I have ever come up against. This continued all through the clear cut until we once again found ourselves in the pines. Fortunately, I had brought along a pair of clippers and loppers. In places the blackberry briars had grown high enough to obscure the blazes, causing a few overshoots of the turns- and I was the one who painted the blazes back in May!!! By the time we reached the hemlock grove, the rain was getting stronger and the blackberries were getting thicker, so it was time to turn back. I had hoped to crest the ridge and point out the campsite, but this was not the trip to do that. If anyone wants to know of a good blackberry-picking spot, please let me know and I will be happy to accommodate you. Joining me for this wet and scratchy adventure were members Tim and David Chomyn, and all the way from Ohio were Greg Singer and Lisa Van Loon. Thanks to all for being such good sports about the trail conditions and special thanks to Greg for wielding the loppers. Oh-did I mention that there were blackberries? - Caroline Woerner

It was a beautiful day when we set out for this hike in the Deep Creek section of the Smokies - and it stayed beautiful all day. We started on the lower end of the Thomas Divide Trail and then turned onto the Indian Creek Motor Trail. This was an attempt to make a loop road through the area for tourists. Fortunately, it was never completed. We made our way to Martin’s Gap, where we stopped for lunch. Then we returned on the lower part of Sunkota Ridge Trail, the Loop Trail, and the Stone Pile Trail. Along the way, we saw several wildflowers, including large-leaved and heart-leaved asters, yellow jewelweed, gentain, strawberry bush (aka hearts-a-busting), and lobelia. Those enjoying this fall hike were Spears McAllester, Wayne Chambers, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

Benton MacKaye Section Eight - Saturday, Oct 2, 2004 Section Eight, Bushy Head Gap to Dyer Gap, of the Benton MacKaye Trail is aptly described by Tim Holman as the most remote (and lonely) section outside the Cohutta's. One starts off from Bushy Head Gap climbing something called Bear Den Mountain. While the net elevation gain on this section is about 1700 feet, it does cross the higest point since leaving Springer Mountain and accomplishes this by a large number of small ups and downs. We saw no one on the trail after leaving the trailhead until about mile 12 where we were about a half mile from the end.
Bear Den mountain was crossed with no incidents; the trail was in good shape except for a few blowdowns of recent origin. As we approached the top, we thought we could hear someone chainsawing behind us; possibly the trail steward removing the blowdowns!
We travelled on to Fowler Mountain with some interesting rock outcrops and more interesting bear scat both in size and number and then descended to Halloway Gap where the trail runs between two streams that provided cover for wild boar. Their sign and sent was everywhere. Then we come upon a wildlife clearing which was obviously heavily used by the boar. The book indicates that one might be able to camp in this clearing though I would be afraid to since it likely becomes boar central station at dusk. Ralph became a little nervous as we left this area climbing up though a Rhododendron thicket surrounded by boar scent and bear scat and began beating his poles together. This produces a metallic sound not unlike that of a rifle being cocked. Finally we emerged from the thicket into an open forest at the top of the mountain where we were startled by something large and black crashing though the thicket to our right. Then Ralph spotted the red collar and I recognized the de-barked bark. It was a large black Lab chasing a scent into the thicket. Futher up the hill we saw two guys chasing the Lab. When we reached the road, we could see their tent off the the right at the edge of a game clearing. We hope they got their dog back OK. For Ralph this completed the Benton MacKaye in Georgia. Hikers were Ralph Van Pelt and Betty Petty reporting.

On Sept 30, Ralph Van Pelt and Betty Petty set out to add Section Seven, Weaver Creek Road to Bushy Head Gap, of the Benton MacKaye to their list of trails walked. This section of the Benton MacKaye is largely a roadwalk. Much of it is on private lands and one is seldom out of sight or sound of civilization. In fact, there is home construction going on all around. While the walking is not difficult staying on course is quite a challenge. One must be alert at every possible road intersection for the blazes. We missed several and did quite a bit of backtracking to find our way. The first portion of the trail passes through some rather beautiful backcountry Georgia fields and farms. There are some lovely country road stretches in this section. There are also some interesting mudholes here after a rain!
After dashing across the Appalachian Highway, a four-lane divided highway, we reentered the woods to wander through the Sisson property eventually ending up at the one shelter on the Benton MacKaye where we stopped and ate lunch. After lunch we walked through the most isolated section of the trail for a short while before re-emerging for the final 2.6 miles of actual road walking. Betty Petty reporting.

This 4.2 mile hike was planned to provide a hiking option for beginning hikers or for those whose hiking limit is about five or six miles. After three cancellations there were six of us hiking on this beautiful day on one of my favorite trails, the Savage Gulf Day Loop, and all of us were seasoned hikers — no beginners. Enoying this outing were Boodie Fox, Bobby Newsome, Joel Gollop, Allen Chesney, Harold Wilkey and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

Another hiking Saturday with the threat of rain and thundershowers! We started our hike under cloudy skies, almost aborted it when it started to rain fairly hard, but finally finished our trek from Signal Point to Edward’s Point, under sometimes cloudy, sometimes wet and sometimes sunny skies. Making this trek were new Club members, Ed Canler and son, Nick Canler, both super hikers, Derrick Smith, Tammy Parker, Jean Biddle, Harold Wilkey; a three-generation family group, Ann Wykle, one of the founding members of the Club who now lives in the Knoxville area, her mother, Jane Collins, also from the Knoxville area, and her son, Chattanoogan Ben Johnson, plus the hike leader, Mary Young, reporting.

What a day! Right here and now the ten of us lay claim to the award for the most unexpectedly GORGEOUS weather of the 2004 hiking year! Even though it was early August, the temperature probably never got anywhere close to 80, there were just a few scattered white clouds, and the visibility was great. It was almost as if Mother Nature sneaked an early October day in on us!
Oh yeah - we did some hiking too. We went north on the A.T. from Newfound Gap, pausing briefly after the first couple hundred yards to discuss the still-lingering effects of hurricane Opal in 1995. The trail now has a great deal of smaller undergrowth due to Opal and other factors that have destroyed a lot of the tall trees that used to be so prevalent. After lunch at Icewater Spring shelter, we continued on to Charlie's Bunion, the first such visit for most of the group. We stayed a while to enjoy the view, then retraced our steps back up to Icewater Spring and on to the Boulevard Trail junction. Boodie, walking by himself at the moment, turned a corner near the shelter and came face-to-face with a bear. Apparently the poor bear took one look at Boodie and immediately fled into the woods! (No comment…)
We traveled a short distance up the Boulevard trail, then made the short but challenging side trip out the manway to the Jumpoff. Once again, this was a first-time experience for most of us, and we stayed long enough to soak it up, marveling at the steep drop right in front of us, looking down on Charlie's Bunion and the far-away peaks of the Smokies to the northeast, and even being able to see Lake Douglas beyond Sevierville to the northwest.
On the way home we stopped for a nice dinner at the old reliable Timbers in Townsend. The hikers were a good mix of younger newcomers and regulars and … well, some of us 'more experienced' ones. Included were Boodie 'Scares the Bears' Fox, Melissa Moreau, Tam Wood, John Wayne, Christy and Matt Beach, Tim Nicholson, Betty Petty, and lastly Mayra Steiner, who almost missed the bus, but was then carried like a sack of flour and emphatically flung into the vehicle. Thanks to all the gang for a great day from hike leader John Rowland, reporting.

Eight hikers set out for what turned out to be an exciting day of hiking in the Smokies. Along the Old Settlers Trail the group was treated to a wonderful stroll back in time as we saw the remains of homesites that once skirted the foothills of the Smokies. For much of the hike the trail was lined with rock walls that once surrounded these old homesites. We enjoyed a peaceful lunch in a area that had old growth Poplar trees that would be rivaled only by the ones located in the Albright Grove area. After lunch the weather turned violent with a thunder storm that lasted a good hour and a half turning the once peacful watersheds into ragging mountain streams that tested the group at every turn. Thankfully the storm subsided prior to the end of the hike allowing the participants an opportunity to freshen-up before an enjoyable meal at the Dandridge Seafood Resturant. Those along for the hike were Donald Box, Susan Faidley, John Rowland, Spears McAllester, Wendy Gunn, Jerry Wright, Elizabeth O'Conner, and reporting Tim Stubblefield.

This hike was a trip to a segment of the Benton McKaye not previously hiked by the club. On the way, we stopped at Merciers in Blue Ridge, GA, for some of their always delicious fruit pastry and cider. The hike began easily following a creek, with a side trip to Long Creek Falls. From there, the trail left the AT treadway on the joint Benton McKaye/Duncan Ridge trails. The Benton McKaye used the older Duncan Ridge for much of its initial distance to save effort on construction. The trail thus has some old fashioned, less forgiving footage. Straight up the hill and then straight down, over and over. While the elevation climbed was not that high, this hike is more of a workout than one would otherwise expect. Once we reached the Toccoa River we crossed on the excellent suspension bridge, which is much more elaborate than any on the Cumberland trail. Once we crossed the river, it turned out that the trail had been re-routed and was an easy climb out and over to GA Highway 60. The interesting puzzle on this hike was a repeated series of sardine cans (with sardines) and some only lids, that had been suspended by white twine near EVERY campsite on this section of the trail. We had lots of theories, most of them sinister, as to what they were there for, but we left them in place. On the way home, we stopped at the Iron Horse Grill in Copper Hill, Tn, for an excellent meal. On this hike were Donald Box, Tim Nicholson, Wendy Gunn, Betty Petty, and new hikers Tam Wood and Clark Meyer. Ralph Van Pelt reporting.

And--hike leader's report, supplemental....

On a weekday shortly after the club hike, Betty Petty and I took off to hike the next section. This segment leaves GA Highway 60 and takes off for a climb of more than one thousand feet in about a mile and a half, the latter part quite steep. Like the rest of the original Duncan Ridge treadway, there are few switchbacks to ease the climb. One notable part of this hike is that from Wallalah Mountain to the top of Licklog Mountain, there is more (luxuriant) poison ivy than on any other trail I've ever hiked. This hike may have some of the hardest climbs on any of the Benton McKaye.

On Saturday June 12, 10 members of the CHC braved record-setting heat to hike an 8.4 mile section of the Georgia Pinhoti Trail near Summerville, GA. With temperature hovering above 95 degrees, Karis Lieb, Hmae Kile, Suzanne Smith, Nancy Robinson, Tim Chomyn, John Wayne, Mike Robinson, Mayra Steiner, Sherry Gilreath and hike leader Jeffrey Hunter were joined by Georgia Pinhoti Trail Association Board Member Mike Dillard and trail volunteers April Blackwell and Andrew Flood. After a short car shuttle, the hike started at Georgia Highway 100 at approximately 10:30 AM. Once we gained the ridgeline, participants were treated to ripe blackberries along with scattered bird song.
Walking at a nice pace with plenty of water breaks sprinkled in, the hike concluded at US Highway 27 – Mack White Gap at approximately 2:45 PM. After the hike, a meal was enjoyed by all at a local restaurant in Summerville. - Jeffrey Hunter

Twelve hiker set out from the Deep Creek campground near Bryson City, NC on this warm, humid spring day. We had a few showers early in the hike, which we hoped would cool us down. Instead, it just made the air more muggy. But the hike was remarkable nonetheless. At times, it seemed that we were hiking through a tropical rain forest. The vegetation was lush and the creeks were beautiful. We saw two small waterfalls along the way.
Wayne, Maryann, and Tim only get partial credit for this hike, because they left us at the Sunkota Ridge Trail and went their own way. But we enjoyed their company while they were with us. Those enjoying this hike in the Smokies were Donald Box, Jerry Wright, Tim Nicholson, Spears McAllester, Wayne Chambers, Jacob Stubblefield, Tim Stubblefield, Maryann Davidson, Margaret Ramsey, Don Bodley, Susan Faidley, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

Over Memorial Day weekend, several CHC members shared a really special trip into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
We had backpackers out for 2, 3, and 4 days, so we had different hiking options. However, the main goal was to see the Enloe Creek area where only one of us had been before. Different trailheads for beginning one's trip included Newfound Gap and Kephart Prong for the 4 day/3 nighters, of which there were 5 of us who hiked a total of 45 miles. Owen had detoured off from Elizabeth and Doug after starting at Newfound Gap to hike trails he had never seen, while Donald and Susan got a late start from Kephart Prong. But, the five of us met up and enjoyed a really nice campsite at Cabin Flats the first night. On the second day, just as planned, we met up with Ralph and Spears coming in from Smokemont Campground. The 7 of us ventured into Enloe Creek and up the Hyatt Ridge Trail to McGee Springs to camp on Night #2. This area had much old-growth forest and felt very remote and wild compared to the rest of the Smokies. The trails are not as heavily used and Raven Fork is quite the beautiful stream full of house size boulders. We experienced quite the elevation gain with 4400 ft in 13 miles today in very humid conditions. So we decided a campfire would be nice to dry out and relax and chase the bugs away. Problem: McGee Springs was full as it is unlimited, so we had to camp in a less used area. So we practiced our Leave No Trace techniques which included building a small fire (poor Donald) and then leaving no trace of it having been there. How did we accomplish this? We dug up the duff and down to the mineral earth with our trowels and put some rocks around the small area. Then we gathered only downed wood, no bigger than our wrists and no more than we would use. We had quite the nice little fire and in the morning we dispersed of our ashes and unused wood and covered the area back with duff and leaves and moved the rocks away. We were pretty proud of ourselves - no one would ever know that we had built a campfire. (Techniques such as this discourage others from using this site and causing heavy impact). On our 3rd day we began our hike in a pretty heavy rain, but after about 4 miles it cleared up for a steep climb up the Hyatt Ridge Trail. It was another tough day with considerable elevation gain and 14 miles, but we enjoyed a fairly early arrival into our last campsite and were joined later by Wayne and Jerry who had hiked in from Straight Fork Road and through Enloe Creek . While they said they might come, we didn't know for sure and were delighted to have them join us. I decided that my backpacking hammock was a great asset to not only lightening my pack, but offering me a place to put my feet up and read in the evening. I also was amazed to be dry after quite the storm that lasted 4 hours during the night. The next day, we all were sad to have to hike our last 8 miles out following the Smokemont Loop Trail and leave (except Wayne of course, who isn't so sure about backpacking yet! ) I know that the longer I am out there , the harder it is to return to everyday life! But, for the precious days that I am backpacking, it is such a treat to share that time with some really special hiking companions! Hike Leader - Susan Faidley

Seventeen hikers began the hike at the Maddron Bald trailhead on our way to Albright Grove. After we toured the big trees, nine of us split and continued climbing the Maddron Bald trail. We had a beautiful day where we were threatened occasionally with rain. For the most part, the day was sunny and humid. We saw a few wildflowers still blooming and a few of us got our feet wet in the creek. While most of us continued down Snakes Den Trail, a few went .7 up to the AT and back to complete the trail. We ended the day at a new resturant in Dandridge called Dandridge Seafood, with which everyone seemed to be impressed. Those participating were Calvin Watson, Donald Box, Owen Holbrook, Jerry Wright, Susan Faidley,John Rowland, Tim Nickelson, Mayra Steiner and leader, Wayne Chambers

For once we were able to hike in Savage Gulf in spite of the forecast for ISOLATED THUNDER SHOWERS, which, when translated means, on the Cumberland Plateau. The weather was very pleasant although a little humid. However, when we were hiking close to the bluff, there was a wonderful breeze blowing. The mountain laurel was in full bloom and beautiful, and there were two magnificent pink lady slippers growing close to the trail. Melissa was able to capture them on her digital camera, so maybe she will share the pictures with us later. The stream crossings presented no problems, and everyone agreed it was a wonderful hike. On the way home Boodie led some of us to one of the Cumberland Trail trailheads just off Highway 111. The trail construction was impressive, and this is really a beautiful area. Enjoying this hike were Rayleen Colletti, Frank De Pinto, Suzanne Smith, Boodie Fox, Ken Conklin, Melissa Moreau, Anne Anderson, Faye and Melvin Nunez, Harold Wilkey and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

We had a great group of experienced hikers on this trip. After reaching the Slick Rock Creek Trail we saw several campsites that would make good places to comeback to on a short backpack. The hiking pace for the day was a little slower then normal due to the trail not being clear in places and some of the obstacles, tree roots, rock, etc. Upon reaching Naked Ground we saw a group of back-packers and another group of day-hikers. At Naked Ground we had lunch then continued on, with a side trip out to the HangOver. We had a great day with no rain. Those enjoying this hike were Donald Box, Spears McAllester, Wendy Gunn, Calvin Watson, Matthew Woodward, Ralph Van Pelt, Mayra Steiner, and Tim Nicholson, reporting.

Eight hikers enjoyed the picturesque beauty of the Smokies on the Ramsey’s Cascades trail. After a wonderful morning hiking, we had lunch at the waterfall. We saw lots of wildflowers on the hike. After the hike, we stopped at the Sugerlands Visitor Center only to discover soft drink machines with pictures of Ramsey Cascades on them. If only we’d known beforehand! Hikers were Caroline Woerner, John Wayne, Allen Pogue, Suzanne Smith, Mary Ann Davidson, Boodie Fox, Carol Fox, and Melissa Moreau, reporting.

On Saturday May 1 & 2, trip leader Jeffrey Hunter was joined by CHC members Joe Herman & Joe Teringer for a beginner backpack trip in Savage Gulf Natural Area. The trip consisted of a 6 mile hike along the South Rim Trail from the Savage Gulf ranger Station to Stagecoach Road Campsites (and back) for a total trip of 12 miles. The weather on Saturday was partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 80’s. The overlooks into the Gulf were glorious, and since the hike took place during the peak of spring bird migration, so a great variety of birds were seen and heard.
Saturday night brought heavy showers, and the hike out Sunday morning was a soggy one. Our spirits were not dampened however, and all 3 attendees had a great time. Participants were introduced to some of the basics of backpacking, with a focus on the trade-offs involved in gear selection. Participants were Joe Teringer, Jeffrey Hunter & Joe Herman. - Jeffery Hunter reporting.

It was a great day for a great hike with some terrific hikers! Everything went well for this hike, including great weather and perfect timing by hikers meeting for a short car shuttle from the Alum Cave Trail parking lot to the Newfound Gap parking lot. After hiking 8+ miles, we stopped for lunch at Myrtle Point and then made another stop at the lodge for those who had not been there before. We made a fairly speedy decent back to the parking lot and then on to Townsend for a great bar-b-que dinner. Those participating were Jerry Wright, Tim Stubblefield, Ralph Van Pelt, Allen Pogue, Wayne Chambers, Debbie Lambert, Elizabeth O'Conner, Freda and Bruce Richie, Tim NIcholson, Mayra Steiner, Jerry Moss, Derek Miller and Wendy Gunn.

We never really know just when the wildflowers on Lookout will be at their peak, and this year was no exception. Last year, we hiked on the last weekend of the month, and some of the flowers were already gone. This year we were a little early, and only identified 15 on our list. The following Saturday, I retraced some of our path, and found many more in bloom. Enjoying this wonderful outing under sunny skies, were Mark and Patty Parks, Nancy Collns, Mike Harrison, Judi and Don Bell, Suzanne Smith, Rosalyn Vogel, Ruth Cartlidge, Art Thompson, and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

Spring was beginning during our trip around the hills above the Ocoee River. A few flowers were welcoming the season on this great little 1.5 mile hike that begins at the Whitewater Center suspension bridge. Seven children set the pace for our stroll. The youngest of which was six months. Everyone enjoyed the walk and lunch was eaten above the river while watching some intense fishing. The Forest Service has released 800 rainbow trout in support of the annual Kids Free Fishing Day. Experiencing the Ocoee River filled with fish was a sight to behold. The group also visited the center's interpretive room of which the kids enjoyed greatly. They have a very large rattlesnake that everyone should see. Enjoying the wonderful day were Jennifer Curtis, Jenny and Will Smith, Judith and Don Bodley, Lisa and Mike Alcorn, Mary and Don Vanhook, Skylin Alcorn (age 4), Sierra Alcorn (age 7), Zane Smith (6 months), Max Smith (age 2), Jackson Cresmen (age 5), Hunter Vanhook (age 8), Beck Vanhook (age 6).

Yes, in spite of the looming rain we had a great day. Most of today’s hikers had never been to Rocktown so we explored quite a bit. After that walk, as the rain set in we drove to Sawmill Lake and found where the trail to Atwood Point comes across the road. We will do that another day and perhaps I can find out the actual length - don’t know where I came up with 5 miles - Boodie said it is longer than that. We think it would make a great day of hiking to do the Atwood Point/Highpoint loop and then visit Rocktown. After checking out the Sawmill Lake area we decided to see if the road went down the other side of the mountain putting us closer to that boardwalk natural area off of Hog Jowl Road. Nope! And we almost had to call to be towed out of a very rutted muddy detour. Wish there had been a “No Outlet” sign at the intersection of the road that went into Sawmill Lake. Certainly it was touch and go as Bobby Wilbanks did some skilled driving to get us out of that mess. We did retreat and go back the way we came and went to the natural area to check out the wildflowers which were soggy but beautiful. It was raining all this time but wildflowers and the waterfall we did see! And did I mention it hailed on us while hiking out of Rocktown? We lived to hike another day: Richard Park, Susan Schott, Karen Ramsey, Debbie Lambert, Bob Rahn, Bobby Wilbanks, Joyce Lewis, Ima Connelly, and Che Carico. Che Carico reporting.

On a nice warm sunny day we made a leisurely 10.8 mile trek to the Mt. Cammerer tower. As advertised in the outings write-up, the 360-degree view was as impressive as always, we saw a couple of birds floating effortlessly on the breezes, we sunned ourselves on the rocks at the base of the tower, and we saw quite a few small early blossoms on the lower part of the trail as well as in some of the open areas on the ridge. This hike, as many hikes do, provided a wonderful sampling of the rich textures of nature.
However, we were given an extra treat today, an equally wonderful sampling of the rich textures of humanity. We enjoyed meeting our fellow club members as they headed down the A.T. toward the second half of their outing. We also had a pleasant conversation with some A.T. through-hikers, one of whom was packing a guitar. Best wishes to them and all their compatriots headed for Maine this year.
But, most notably, on the way up to Low Gap we came across one of the most colorful characters I have ever met on the trail. Small and wiry, bearded, tattooed from wrist to shoulder on both arms, and most eager to talk to us, he informed us that he had left Vermont two years ago. He had spent last winter in some sort of outreach facility in Virginia, and had recently had all of his stuff stolen in Knoxville. Seated beside the trail, he had made some sort of shrine out of a circle of small stones. Within the circle were larger stones with pink and yellow and blue dots from magic markers, plus one stone with a bright shiny penny on it. We stopped to look at that one again on the way back down the trail, and later noticed another similar one farther down that we had apparently overlooked earlier. He had told us he was on his way to Hiawassee, Georgia, to see a relative, and wished us God's blessings. God speed to you too, White Eagle!
My thanks to Melissa Moreau (her first trip to Mt. Cammerer) and Wendy Gunn for joining me. Hopefully you had as enjoyable and memorable a day as I did. Congratulations on surviving the first hike that John Rowland led.

Departing the Big Creek ranger station, we found the weather perfect for the upcoming adventure. The hike up Chestnut Branch was, as memory served very steep. The cascades along the branch were breathtaking on this clear and beautiful day. Turning south on the ApplachianTrail we enjoyed many wonderful vistas into the Big Creek, Mt. Sterling area at seemingly every turn. While on this section of the A.T. and at the Mt. Cammerer fire tower we met several through hikers on their way to Maine. Enjoying lunch at the fire tour we were treated with horizon to horizon views. After a long casual lunch break we began our descent further south along the A.T. to Low Gap, where we meet the other group from the CHC,hiking up to the fire tower from Cosby. On our descent to Walnut Bottoms we refurbished our depleted water supplies at a beautiful mountain stream along the Low Gap trail. The seemingly never-ending trail down Big Creek was very pleasant, as it wound along the many beautiful cascades and mountain stream. There were also quite a few wildflowers and according to Donald, we saw purple, yellow, & white violets, spring beauties, trout lilies, yellow trilliums, chickweed, purple phacelia, blood root, white fringed phacelia, rue anemone, and golden ragwort. We also met up with two snakes sunning themselves. With the hike now concluded, we are not sure at this point if the food at Newport Shoney’s is really that good, or the group was possibly on the verge of starvation. We may be banned from Shoney's due to excessive food consumption. Those enjoying this wonderful hike and Shoney food bar were Wayne Chambers, Jerry Moss, Spears Mcallester, Susan Faidley, Elizabeth O’Conner, Donald Box, Ralph Van Pelt, Tim Nicholson, Tim Stubblefield, Don Van Hook, and hike leader Jerry Wright.

Blue skies, white puffy clouds and temperatures near 80 welcomed us to the Stone Door section of South Cumberland S.R.A. The leaves were just starting to bud on most of the trees, but a bright patch of purple flowers greeted our arrival. We enjoyed the Stone Door and some beautiful views from the rim trail. After a leisurly lunch break we set out to complete the first and longest of three loops. Brian informed everyone that we were taking a 17 mile hike (a la Mt. Cammerer) rather than the 8.5 that I had planned. We then went on a second much shorter loop to see Laurel Falls. After a short drive we finished the day with our third loop. This was a rocky 1 mile trek through a beautiful canyon. Highlights included taking a spiral staircase down to Greeter Falls. The water from the falls plunged into the turquoise pool and generated a refreshing breeze that everyone enjoyed. A short while later we finished the day (and a total of 8 1/2 miles)with a trip past a beautiful grove of old Hemlock trees and the multi-tiered Boardtree Falls. Thanks to Boodie and Derek for alternating at sweep, and thanks to Tammy for the strawberry shake. A beautiful day, good company, and some lovely scenery...what more could you ask for? Participating in the outing were...Sue Leachman, Mary Clor, Brian Grow, Boodie and Carol Fox, Margie Patterson, Tammy Parker, Tom and Lois Miller, Derek Miller, and Chris O'Connor reporting.

The weather was perfect for this moderate hike up the south side of Chilhowie Mountain to Benton Falls. We had some good vistas from the trail of the surrounding ridges and Lake Ocoee. The falls were spectacular, as always. Along the way, we saw some early wildflowers, including several species of violets, hepatica, and cinquefoil. The group was feeling strong, so we took an alternative route back that added 1.5 miles to the trip, for a total of 10 miles. Those enjoying this hike were Donald Box, Derek Miller, newcomer Sharon Kircher, Pat Rose, Steve Barnes, Alice Coffman, and Doug Cooper, reporting.

An absolutely gorgeous day was awaiting 14 eager hikers for this section of the Cumberland Trail. We covered 10 miles, including the 2-mile perimeter trail on the top of the mountain and about a one-mile (roundtrip) side trail to Windless Cave where several of us, with flashlights, explored a few hundred feet of it.
We enjoyed several overlooks, with views toward Crossville, Crab Orchard, and the one looking eastward over Grassy Cove, the Tennessee River Valley, and on to the Smokies. New hikers to this trail were awed by the gigantic boulders as we reached the top, where we found a number of repellers. We also met Kenneth Matthews, one of the 3 Cumberland Trail State Park rangers.
Our group included Lacey Pauley, Caroline Woerner, Ken Conklin (visiting from Texas), Mayra Steiner, Kendra Cross, Alice Coffman, Marcia Miller, Vicki Johnston, Charles Starrett, Melissa Moreau, Tammy Plumlee, Chris Miller, Carol Fox and leader/reporter Boodie Fox.

This trail work trip was threatened by a forecast of rain, but all the precipitation had left the area by Saturday morning. UNFORTUNATELY, the runoff was still with us and we found ourselves unable to reach the Licklog trailhead because Rough Creek was running deep and swift over the concrete bridge one must drive across to get to it. So, we instead drove to the Big Frog trailhead and did a loop of Big Frog, Rough Creek, Fork Ridge and back down Big Frog trail. We ended up doing maintenance on more miles of trail than we otherwise might have, and we had a successful work trip on what turned into a beautiful day. We plan to take another shot at Licklog trail on April 10th, for those who missed the last one.
Along were Joe Teringer, Don Van Hook, Rick Gehrke, Raliegh Maddox, Donald Box, Don Bodley, Susan Faidley, Betty Petty and Ralph Van Pelt, reporting.

On February 21, 2004, twenty hiking club members left Chattanooga early in the morning bound for Sparta and the Virgin Falls Pocket Wilderness. The weather forecast was ominous earlier in the week, but we fortunately had a partly cloudy day. We saw four marvelous waterfalls on the hike. Virgin Falls is probably the most picturesque waterfall in the area - everyone enjoyed sitting by the waterfall for lunch. Enjoying the wonderful day were Frank Dipento, Derek Miller, Mark Parks, Faye Nunez, Melvin Nunez, Andy Gill, Boodie Fox, Carol Fox, Wendy Gunn, Mark Shearer, Donald Box, John Rowland, Ralph Van Pelt, Lin Fa Lee, Mark McDonald, Doug Cooper, Allen Pogue, Marcia Miller, Alice Coffman, and Melissa Moreau reporting.

This was an enjoyable hike with a lot of variety. We hiked in gorges and on the plateau rim (with some ups and downs to get to and from them). We hiked along streams and through a few boulder fields. There were some nice rock formations (such as the Indian Rock House), stream cascades, and views (such as the Snooper’s Rock and Mullen’s Cove overlooks). [Several times we also crawled under or through some pine beetle-killed pines across the trail.]
This moderately-paced hike was also enjoyable from a people standpoint since it brought out some friends we had not seen in quite a while, some first-time (F-T) hikers with us, some relatively new hikers with us, some people who generally do the Moderate-rated hikes, and some that generally do the Strenuous-rated hikes. We hiked together and had fun and enjoyed each other’s company.]
Those who did the entire 10.2-mile option included Wayne Chambers, Susan Faidley, Wendy Gunn, Lin-fa Lee, Karis Lieb (F-T), Derek Miller, Chris & Elizabeth O’Connor, Allen Pogue, Carolyn Roundtree (F-T), Beth, Jake, & Tim Stubblefield, Caroline Woerner, and Jerry Miller. Joining the group for the tougher 6.5 miles were Dennis Hughes (F-T), Vicki Johnston, Herb & Linda Katzman, Sharon Mease, Marcia Miller (F-T), Faye & Melvin Nunez, Donna Osment, Charlie Piez, Harold Wilkey, and Mary Young. - Reported by Donald Box (who committed a number of trail protocol transgressions).

The strenuous Big Frog hike was postponed, and we look forward to hiking Big Frog with Ralph at a later date.
Today we braved sleet, flooding, and snow to hike 11 miles on Lookout Mountain. The recent 3.5 inches of rain created new waterfalls and turned parts of the trail into a creekbed. Even so, there was only a little ice heading up to a cold and windy Sunset Rock.
We were treated to an ongoing display of icicles along the Bluff Trail. Susan wisely suggested skipping Skyuka Springs (probably Skyuka Swamp today), so we returned along Upper Truck. The snow fell harder during our lunch break, making us jealous of Donald's thermos of hot soup. Our hardy group included: Wendy Gunn, Susan Faidley, Spears McAllester, Donald Box, Calvin Watson, Ryan Ranalli, and Elizabeth O'Connor, reporting.

An awesome number of people signed up for this Newcomer hike (37), originally scheduled for the Possum Creek area. However, adverse weather conditions, etc. reduced the number who hiked to 16 (of which 8 were newcomers). Due to a couple of very high water crossings the day before the hike, the location of the scheduled hike was changed. We weathered some wetness, temperatures in the 30s, and some snow flurries (beautiful) to do this Rock Creek Loop plus the Leggett Overlook side trail for a total of 4.4 miles. Everyone really enjoyed the hike (even the short distance that they were misguided off the trail be their -’uh’ - leader). After finishing the hike, 8 of us travelled a short distance to the original Possum Creek trailhead and walked approximately ¼ of a mile to a water fall, the first of the high water crossings. Surprisingly, the water had receded enough for 4 hikers (Jerry Wright, Wayne Chambers, Tim Stubblefield, and Derrick Smith) to cross and go on to complete the original 4-mile (roundtrip) hike for a total of 8.4 miles for the day. Other hikers were Tom & Marilyn Southerland, Joel Gollop, John Rowland, Eugenia Herndon, Joy White, Jane McKinley, Mark Parks, Marcia Miller, Alice Coffman, and Carol & Boodie (hike leader & reporter) Fox.

Our moderate, 8 to 9 mile hike on Lookout Mountain, turned out to be closer to 10 miles, and our moderate pace accelerated because of the threat of rain, but we had a great time and a great bunch of hikers. Channel 3 was predicting the rain would start in the late afternoon, but the Weather Channel predicted showers by noon. Before we started the hike from Cravens House, we discussed the fact that we might get wet, but everyone wanted to go for the longer hike rather than a shorter option I offered. We made it to Skyuka Spring and our lunch break before it started sprinkling in earnest. Since almost everyone was through snacking, we donned rain gear and started our ascent on the John Smartt Trail to our return on the Upper Truck Trail. The real rain never materialized, and we got off the trail without getting soaked. Thanks to Harold Wilkey for leading from the front of the pack and making sure everyone made the correct turn on the Upper Truck Trail for the return to the parking area, since we were climbing the John Smartt Trail at different paces. In addition to Harold, those hiking were newcomers Kristin Hales and Courtney Parham, Pat Rose, Wendy Gunn, Susan Howard, Faye and Melvin Nunez, Tammy Plumlee, Lin-Fa Lee, Jean Biddle and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

Eddy Brooks led us on a leisurely loop hike that began at the camping area at Sawmill Lake on the top of the mountain. It took us to the Highpoint and Atwood Point overlooks, across a small creek, and back to our starting point. Eddy and Allen Padgett (retired Pigeon Mountain ranger) provided information on the mountain’s formation, its ongoing changes, and its history, plus rescues on the mountain and from its many caves. We saw deer scrapings and many animal tracks. Allen recounted stories from his 30 years as a ranger (during his career, he only assisted in one snake bite case, but 4 cases of people who had been struck by lightning). He also provided other interesting information (such as the different drink preferences of horseback riders, turkey hunters, and deer hunters, who do not carry their drink containers out of the woods). Those participating in this enjoyable hike were Ginger Adair, Eddy Brooks, Kendra Cross, Boodie Fox, Allen Padgett, Donna Rankin, Matt Woodward, and Donald Box, reporting.

Numbers: This was hike #1 for 2004. This traditional hike has been drawing 30+ participants the last few years. A few days before, I was surprised that only 6 people were on the list to go. Then the telephone began ringing. . . . I ended up with 39 people wanting to go. Net result: After some cancellations, 34 people did one of the 3 options on the Pot Point Loop Trail in Prentice Cooper State Forest: - Option #1 (4 “Newcomers” and those hiking 3.6 miles): 12 people. – Option #2 (those hiking 9.5 miles): 8 people. - Option #3 (Those doing the entire 11.9-mile loop): 14 people.
The Option #1 hikers placed vehicles near where they would come off the trail and then returned to begin their hike about 9:30 by going first to the Snooper’s Rock Overlook. They came off the trail about 12:00. The Option #3 hikers started hiking at 9:25 at the Snooper’s Rock parking area, planning to hike 2.7 miles and reach Tower Drive at 10:45 to meet the Option #2 hikers. (Option #3 actually reached Tower Drive at 10:43, and Option #2 was right on time, at 10:45.) The combined group of 22 began hiking together at 11:00 toward lunch at 12:15 at the Raccoon Mountain Overlook.
It was a pleasant day, in the low 50s. - - Those in each group visited scenic overlooks, saw impressive rock formations and full-flowing streams, and enjoyed the pretty setting and the companionship of their fellow hikers. The 34 included: Jenny Birni, Bob & Kim Butters, Joyce Campbell, Ruthie Cartlidge, Vicki & Wayne Chambers, Rayleen Colletti, Karen Dale, Chris Dohmen, Susan Faidley, Boodie & Carol Fox, Wendy Gunn, Kris Hendrickson, Owen Holbrook, Raleigh Maddox, Spears McAllester, Donna Rankin, Pat Rose, Edith & Phil Snider, Marilyn & Tom Southerland, Art Thompson, Ralph VanPelt, Ray Via, Rosalyn & Stan Vogel, Jason Wagnon, Harold Wilkey, Jerry Wright, Mary Young, and Donald Box, reporting. - So much for the numbers. 10-4.

It wasn’t too cold, and even though it was cloudy, it didn’t rain on our early morning Brainerd Leevee hike. And, the food at the IHOP just keeps getting better each year. Enjoying this annual December trek were Lin-Fa Lee, Sharon Mease, Jean Biddle, Donna Rankin, Art Thompson, Ruth Cartlidge, Betty Petty, Harold Wilkey and Mary Young, hike leader, reporting.

An overcast, but dry day, welcomed 15 hikers as we began our hike on the Rock Creek Segment of the Cumberland Trail off Leggett Road above Sale Creek. The temperature was in the 30s and ranged into the 40s for an almost perfect day. Recent rains resulted in beautiful waterflows in the creek below us and created photographic side streams, cascades, and falls along the way.
This new section of the Cumberland Trail included 3 double-log bridges, several other wooden bridges and some outstanding rock paths and steps. (We enjoyed lunch at an inner-gorge overlook.) Hopefully the trail on the other side of the gorge and the connecting suspension bridge will be completed in 2005. Hikers included Derek Miller, Lois Miller, Paulette Keasler, Donald Box, Tom Southerland, Charles and William Starrett, Ken Conklin, Joe Teringer, Doug Cooper, Jennifer Smith, Chris Miller, Brant Poovey, and Carol & Boodie Fox, hike leader.

This past Thanksgiving, several hiking club members experienced a really special backpack in the Great Smoky Mountain Nat’l Park! We had a 2 night / 3 day trip that was quite memorable. It began with a hike on Friday afternoon on the Little River Trail out of Elkmont Campground in a drizzle that promised to turn to snow. Thankfully, by the time we made camp at campsite # 24, after an interesting creek crossing, the weather seemed to clear a little. Three of us completed the Little River Trail to its end at Campsite # 30. Then, somehow through Ralph’s and Donald’s efforts, we were treated to a nice campfire that they got going despite wet wood. We snuggled in on this cold night assuming that the snow was not to come. But, to our delight, we woke up to a winter wonderland. Snow is so quiet and magical when it falls, that you don’t even hear it on the tent. We set off Saturday for a 7 mile backpack and hopes to dayhike some on the A. T. after we reached the Mt. Collins shelter. We had an extraordinary and beautiful hike in the snow (about 2 to 4 in. depending on elevation) made more difficult by 2 stream crossings on the Rough Creek Trail, that either required long legs and lots of guts to rock hop or meant that boots had to come off to ford. Without a doubt, these crossings were a bit cold! But better cold feet and legs than wet boots, packs and clothes. Mayra put her trust in Tim as he leapt in a single bound from rock to rock with amazing agility and balance, while Mayra was perched upon his shoulder! I turned down the offer to do the same for me and just chose cold feet. The snow in the spruce and fir against the blue sky, as we climbed the Sugarland Mountain Trail was spectacular. The sky was the kind of blue one only sees in the Smokies on a winter’s day after a front has moved through. For about 3 miles, we walked a narrow ridgeline with continuous views in both directions, including the Chimney Rocks. This section of trail is also home to an old-growth forest full of big Red Spruce, Fraser Fir, lots of Yellow Birch and a tree with the most beautiful bark that grows at higher elevation - the Pin Cherry. Between the creek crossings, admiring the trees and dealing with our footing in the snow, as well as the extra effort even a few inches of snow requires, we arrived at the shelter around 3:00. Four of us hiked on up to greet the A.T., but rather then dayhike any further, we decided that we had had a full day of hiking in the cold and snow and deserved to eat and get into warm clothes. That night the the temp probably dropped to about 20 degrees, not quite as cold as we expected. The wind blew really hard in the night and when you had to make a trip outside, the stars were absolutely amazing. You would have thought we were out west in big sky territory! On our trip out , by way of the 12 mile Sugarland Mtn Trail , we were continually impressed all day. About half way down, things warmed up. And during our last few miles, we caught several glimpes of LeConte. It was truly a backpack to remember as one of the best! And we not only had great scenery, big trees and superb hiking, but wonderful camaraderie, as well. Tim Nicholson, Mayra Steiner, Ralph Van Pelt, Donald Box, Hayden Wilson, and Jerry Wright made up a group of tough hikers - handling the weather, the footing, the creek crossings and the elevation gain well. Elizabeth O’Connor was missed when she had to bail at the last minute with bronchitis. Susan Faidley, trip leader, reporting.

We had an unusually beautiful day in the Smokies Saturday. The temp had to be in the high 60’s with visibility for miles. We had some great views of Mt Leconte, Chalet Village, and the Ski lodge and lifts. We were also amazed at the amount and diversity of old growth trees on the Laurel Falls trail. We were still arguing at dinner the species of one tree. Those enjoying the day were Boodie Fox, Donald Box, Spears McAllester, Susan Faidley, Mayra Steiner,John Rowland,Tim Nicholson, Jerry Wright, Derrick Miller, Don Biddle, Elizabeth O’Connor, and hike leader, Wayne Chambers

This hike proved to be surprisingly popular as the limit was reached a week before the hike was scheduled! This date was the last Saturday before gun season in the Upper Bald River area. There was bear hunting with guns in North Carolina on this day. However, this was only a dog training day in the Cherokee. Nevertheless, there were many hunters out running their dogs and picking out their spots for the following weekend.
Those setting up the car shuttle (Ralph, Eric, Don and Steve) left vehicles at Wachessee Bald while everyone else rode in the DOGBUS with me to the Kirkland Creek trailhead. There was the usual number of treacherous creek crossings (12 or so), a few short but very, very steep climbs, and a stretch of more or less bushwhacking around the side of the mountain on an almost non-existent trail.(Remember that the BMT is yet to be built in this area!) Eight miles in this terrian is like hiking 10-12 on constructed trail. Following the hike, was the usual dinner stop at the Cherohalla Cafe.
Those members crazy enough to accompany me on this excursion were Eric Skrivseth, Ken Jones, Tim Nicholson, Jennifer Smith, Mayra Steiner, Lin Fa-Lee, Don Bodley, Ralph Van Pelt, Steve Barnes, and Susan Faidley, Wendy Gunn, and Donald Box. - Betty Petty, hike leader, reporting

Preceded by a couple of days of continuously changing and conflicting forecasts of how cold, rainy and/or overcast and nasty the days would be, 7 of us shivered Saturday morning and commented on how cold and windy it was. Then we left, not knowing what the weather would be. - - The sun came out! It was a beautiful day in the low 60s, without wind during the day or at night. No rain! No dew during the night. 32-35 in the morning. And Sunday was just as nice!
The plan was for 8.5 miles, mostly on the North Rim Trail, to the Hobbs Cabin camping area, and then out on Sunday, 9.6 miles mostly on the North Plateau Trail. - - About a tenth of a mile or so down the South Rim Trail, I was apologetically advised, “Donald, we don’t doubt you know where you are going, . . but. . . . .” Returning to the North Rim Trail, we (intentionally) made a side trip to view Savage Falls, and then enjoyed the many overlooks on our way to Hobbs Cabin. The camping area is a shambles of dead, fallen, and cut pine trees (results of the southern pine beetle). However, we located an accommodating site and put up our tents. Next was obtaining water, and then gathering firewood.
After supper (as we watched the full moon rise in a beautiful star-filled sky, and a total eclipse of the moon take place), Chris (wearing a jester’s cap) oversaw the making and baking of an apple pie over the campfire’s coals. Jenny came out of her aluminum cocoon (survival blanket) while she and Jennifer, pealed and sliced the apples. As usual, Chris’s pie was great! Also great were the stories and teasing around the campfire. (Did you know did you know a bra can be used to filter coffee, and. . . two people can filter at the same time?) The official Savage Gulf map describes the North Plateau Trail as “virtually flat” except for one spot. Several of our members seriously (and frequently) questioned this description (and figured our 9.6-mile trip out could have been cut to about 6 miles if the trail was not so crooked). There was great camaraderie during this trip between Jenny (Sleepless in Savage Gulf) Birni, Kendra (Get ‘em young and raise ‘em right) Cross, Chris (jester cap hair) Dohmen, Lin-Fa (wounded knee) Lee, Betty (Where’s my spork?, and is my zipper’s broken?) Petty, Jennifer (Wish I had a steak) Smith, and Donald (whose camera smells) Box, reporting (who has photographic proof that men should not turn their backs on this group of women). - Donald Box

Sunshine welcomed us as Bald River Falls cascaded over mossy rocks, adjacent to the trailhead. We climbed to the top of the falls accompanied by autumn’s slanting golden light, which brought out several cameras.
The trail left the falls but continued to wind along the river. The trail did not become completely flat, as the hike leader may have led one hiker to believe! Derek courteously hung back to let the second group of hikers know, as we had split into two groups, that a copperhead was sighted, and stepped over before the sighting, in the middle of the trail, and might still be there hiding under the leaves.
Stomachs began to growl as we neared our lunch stop, a small clearing with river access. We could see through the crisp water to the shifting patterns of fallen leaves on the river bottom. Several hikers slipped on narrow sections of trail that had leaf-covered wet tree roots. Our good-natured hikers were, fortunately, not hurt.
The hurting was when several hikers were stung, several times, during one yellowjacket (will they ever go away?) encounter on the hike out, and one more on the way back. Our hike leader is putting anti-itch cream on his nine stings as I write this.
We inhaled the aroma of sun-warmed pine needles, then entered the shade for an immediate temperature drop.
Back at the parking lot, one of our drivers had received a $50 ticket for parking on the pavement. It was a gravel parking area and he had 1 1/2 tires just barely resting on the paved road. We talked to the officer who felt the ticket was justified, even though the backs of trucks were sticking out over the road. Hiking together on a beautiful day were Patty Sisk, Sherie Bennett, Lin-Fa Lee, Susan Faidley, Derek Miller, Lois Miller, Donald Box, Rayleen Colletti, Tim Nicholson, Doug Cooper, Randall Payne, Donna Rankin, Elizabeth O’Connor-reporting, and Chris O’Connor-hike leader.

Meet at 5:45am!!?? But nevertheless, the following did: Raleigh Maddox, Spears McAllester, Derek Miller (who drives from Manchester to hike with us), Charles Starrett, Tim Stubblefield, and Jerry Wright. On our way to the Devil’s Breakfast Table trailhead, Charles commented on having looked at the CTC website and the fact this segment of the trail was not listed as closed due to hunting. Entering the Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, we were amazed to see all of the tents, campers, trucks and ATVs parked along the road, and signs indicating a hunt was taking place. I (erroneously) assumed the area for this hunt did not extend to the area through which the Cumberland Trail runs. Among all of the parked hunter’s trucks, a deer walked across the road in front of us.
We began hiking at 8:40. A notice on the trailhead bulletin board was reassuring, stating the trail would be closed due to the deer/boar hunt beginning October 19 (tomorrow). A nice day, but the leaves had begun dropping a week or so before, forming a blanket which in many areas obscured the trail and rocks. The sun broke through about 10:45, joining us for the rest of our trip, transforming a nice day into a beautiful day. It took 4 hours to cover the 6.8 miles to the Ohmigod Overlook, with stops along the way to visit 4 great overlooks and 4 rock houses, climb over/through/around many downed trees (mostly due to the southern pine beetle’s invasion), marvel at the magnificent rock bluffs and formations, and carefully climb up/down the rock steps on this “trail of thousands of rock steps.” After lunch we retraced our steps back to the trailhead, arriving there at 5:. Understandably, the consensus was that this had been a tough hike (with Derek’s gift GPS unit beeping insistently on many occasions, telling him to get out from under overhanging rocks so the satellites could see where he was). This beautiful hike had variety - hiking on the plateau (similar to the rim trails at Savage Gulf with wonderful overlooks), hiking in the gorge on an old railroad bed along the Obed River, and the climbing up and down in between.
As the last one to return to our vehicle after washing in the creek and changing clothes, I was greeted with “We have a situation.” - - The TWRA ranger’s truck was there, and the ranger and Jerry were returning from looking at the notice on the trailhead bulletin board regarding the “closed” dates. Due to Jerry’s persuasion, the wrong date on the bulletin board (and I am sure the fact that all Chattanooga Hiking Club members are good people), the ranger (seemingly reluctantly) set aside his initial reaction to write each of us a $182 citation for being in a closed area. Instead he just issued a warning (with each of our names on it) and escorted us out of the area. He said there were 1,800 bow hunters in the area for three 3-day hunts. (While at the creek, I ignored my conscience, and did not retrieve a beer can from the water to later throw away. It probably would not have gone too well had I come up, with the beer can in hand, at the same time as the ranger returned.) - Donald Box