CT: Daddys Creek Section

Saturday, November 30 — Daddy’s Creek Section of the Cumberland Trail, near Crab Orchard TN, 7.2-7.5 miles, about 1,100’ el. gain, moderate. We will hike this trail south to north, from Hebbertsburg Road to East Keyes Road. This requires a short shuttle. The trail bobbles in, around, and up and down gorges carved out by streams in this bumpy part of the Cumberland Plateau. Actually, the CP has evolved into the Crab Orchard Mountains in this area, with the plateau transitioning to mountainous terrain. We’ll see lots of sandstone boulders, bluffs, and rockhouses.  All this sandstone traces back to “the vast Appalachian sea,” according to the write-up for this trail on the Cumberland Trail Conference website. There is also a pleasant stretch of our trail right along Daddy’s Creek. Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and/or lunch along with more water than you think you need; use insect repellent, hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/ caravanning, meet at the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy at 8.30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S  Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com.  Carpool: $6.00.