Fall Creek Falls

Saturday, April 26 — Fall Creek Falls State Park:  Option 1: about 6 or 6.7 miles, easy/moderate. Option 2: adding on a drive to Piney Falls Overlook, then hiking out-and-back to see Millikans Overlook and Buzzards Roost (3 mi. RT). This hike is bagging a bunch of shorter trails in the park, which will take us to many viewpoints, waterfalls, woods, and whatnot. Our center of operations is the Nature Center (NC). Since we’ll walk to all viewpoints on these trails, everyone will have completed about 6 miles. 

 [The following directions are only for the hike leader and obsessive types who are tracking his/their every move. All of these people should have the excellent FCFSP map in their possession. From NC, we’ll first hike the lollipop Paw Paw Trail (2.5 mi.), which returns us to the NC. Next, we take the Woodlands Trail and turn right on the Overlook Trail (0.9 mi.), which returns us to the Woodlands Trail. Here we turn right to reach the Fall Creek Falls Overlook (0.25 mi.). Then the obsessive (determined?) types will take the Base of the Falls Trail (0.7 mi. RT), while the laidback types will relax and admire the view. Then we will all retrace our steps and continue down the Woodlands Trail. As a diversion, we’ll do an out-and-back on the Turkeypen Trail (1.0 mi.). When we arrive back at the Woodlands Trail (total 1.1 mi.), we’ll turn right and arrive shortly at the NC.]

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 8.30 am ET at 197 Durham Street in Soddy Daisy, at the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) just off Dayton Pike. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S  Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Will Latham (704) 365-8889. Carpool: $5.00.