Fuggett Branch

Tuesday, August 22 — Durham Mine Trails to Fuggett Branch, around 5 miles, moderate, mostly a loop. We will take a gentle walk along Chalkeye Trail to get to E Fuggett Trail and down to the creek, passing rickety cliffs and investigating ruins from the mining era. Then we’ll get back to the top first via W Fuggett trail, checking out slag heaps disguised as wooded ridges, and then left up a steeper but well-kept trail. The latter gives us a good view of a very black slag heap that seems to be gradually sliding into a creek. At the top, we’ll turn left on Dinky Trail, then veer onto Plug Trail to get back on Chalkeye Trail and our cars. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 7:30 am ET at Food City in St. Elmo, in the corner of the parking lot straight ahead off TN Ave. https://bit.ly/3C3Um9L  Please register with hike leader Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060. Carpool cost $2.00.