Promoting the development and enjoyment of Tennessee trails.
Tuesday, September 3 — Aetna Mountain Green and Blue Loops, near Chattanooga, easy/moderate, about 3.5 miles, about 500’ el. gain. These are two relatively new trails on Aetna Mountain, which is next to Raccoon Mountain. The trails are in very good condition, with very few rocks and roots and with gradual ascents and descents. They take […]
Saturday, September 7 — Reflection Riding, just outside Chattanooga: Skyuka Trail to Skyuka Spring and back via Lower Truck Trail and Skyuka Trail, 9 miles, moderate with one fairly steep uphill. Optional shorter hike involving a shuttle: hang out with the long hikers for most of the hike, then follow Lower Truck Trail straight to […]
Tuesday, September 10 — Grundy Forest Day Loop and Sycamore Falls, near Monteagle, 3.5 miles, moderate, 308 ft. el. gain. A huge rock house, an ancient hemlock tree believed to be 500 years old, four waterfalls, giant rock monoliths, and swimming holes—you will see it all in just 3.5 miles. If water levels allow, take a […]
Saturday, September 14 — Ritchie Hollow to Snoopers Rock in Prentice Cooper State Forest. A 10-mile in and out hike moderately strenuous due to rocks and nearly 1500’ el. gain. Starting at the TN River, we will hike up to Blowing Wind falls, then continue ascending along the bluff ridge to the outstanding Snoopers Rock overlook […]
Tuesday, September 17 — Raccoon Mountain trails, 4-5 miles, easy/moderate, mostly a loop, not much elevation gain. Just west of Chattanooga, the Raccoon Mountain pumped-storage facility is TVA’s largest hydroelectric facility. In operation since 1978, the plant acts as a large storage battery! (https://www.tva.gov/Energy/Our-Power-System/Hydroelectric/Raccoon-Mountain). Check the hourly weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can […]
Saturday, September 21 — Frozen Head State Park, 9 miles, moderate, 1500-2000’ el. gain, out-and-back. Join us for a beautiful hike and learn some of the park’s fascinating history, including a prison break by one of America’s most notorious killers and an ultramarathon inspired by the manhunt! On this hike, we will see two waterfalls and […]
Tuesday, September 24 — Benton Falls and Slick Rock Loop Trail, 4.6 miles, easy to moderate, loop, 544’ el. gain. On Chilhowee Mountain near the Ocoee River, we’ll start by McKamy Lake and proceed about 1.5 miles down to Benton Falls, where we will make a steep but short descent into the small gulch formed […]
Saturday, September 28 — Rocky Face Ridge Trail, near Dalton GA. SHORTER HIKE: up the ridge on switchbacks, then along the ridge to Buzzard’s Roost, out-and-back, about 6 miles, moderate, el. gain less than 1,000’. LONGER HIKE: loop trail including Buzzard’s Roost, 11 miles, moderately strenuous, el. gain 1,318’. Rocky Face Ridge Park is an almost […]
Tuesday, October 1 — Window Cliffs Trail REPLACED due to wet and muddy conditions. REPLACEMENT: West Rim Trail, Cloudland Canyon State Park GA near Trenton, 4.7 miles, 744’ el. gain with a few short steep climbs, moderate. The path of Hurricane Helene veered mostly east of us, so the park is open. The weather will […]
Saturday, October 5 — Brush Creek Trail in the Cherokee National Forest, 7 miles, easy to moderate. We’ll start at Boyd Gap, with views of Big Frog Mountain and the shores of Ocoee Lake. Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or […]