Updated October 21, 2024
2024 TTA ANNUAL MEETING!
When: Fri-Sun: October 25-27, 2024
Where: Fall Creek Falls State Park
The Highland Rim and Murfreesboro Chapters are co-hosting the 2024 annual conference at Fall Creek Falls State Park October 25-27, 2024. Activities will take place at the new lodge, a truly stunning facility. As Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of the premiere state parks in Tennessee, and October is peak “leaf” season, you need to make reservations now.
Address: Fall Creek Falls State Park, 2009 Village Camp Rd, Spencer, TN 38585
2024 TTA Annual Meeting Info Flyer
Meeting Registration is now closed
No refunds will be issued
All meeting participants must be registered.
We gratefully thank our TTA members for the incredible response to the annual meeting at Fall Creek Falls, however we have reached the capacity of our banquet room facilities. Therefore, we cannot accept any additional registrations.
We will not accept walk-ups.
Please make sure to support the 2025 Annual Meeting next year. The dates and location for next year’s meeting will be posted on the TTA Calendar by the end of October.
Your Annual Meeting Team
Patty Deen – Sara Pollard – Joan Hartvigsen
Information for currently registered participants:
Remember to pick up your meeting packet in the lobby of the Lodge when you arrive.
(Continental Breakfast is included for lodge guests beginning at 7:00 am. For those camping or staying in other local accommodations, please make your own breakfast so that you are ready to hit the trail- the first hikes depart at 7:45 am! Coffee is available for purchase in the lobby area.)
Each Box Lunch includes the choice of turkey, ham, roast beef or veggie. Each sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle, a bag or chips, cookie and choice of soft drink or bottled water. Lunches will be available for pick up each morning.
Dinner will be buffet-style. Friday Dinner will feature a choice of two meat entrees, vegetables, breads, and dessert. Saturday Dinner will feature a fajita bar with seasoned beef and chicken and all the fixings and cinnamon churros for dessert. Vegetarian options are available upon request.
Lodging – if available
The Lodge at Falls Creek Falls: We have 50 rooms reserved, but they will go fast! Online reservations are available or call the Lodge Front Desk (423) 881-5241; Use our Group Code #1440. View room types. Note that they will honor the discounted rate for Thursday & Sunday if you want to extend your stay.
Cabins: There are 30 cabins (some on the lakeshore) with fully equipped kitchens. View options & reserve. Each cabin hosts six to ten people. Your Chapter may want to reserve a cabin and offer some spaces, which will save costs. Update: All Fisherman Cabins on the lakeshore are already reserved.
Camping
Individual Campsites: The campground has 202 sites but will fill fast.
Group Campsites:
- Two group campsites have been reserved in the Eli Field area.
- Water, flush toilets, picnic tables, and a large fire ring are on site.
- Campers are welcome to use the showers in the other campgrounds.
- The cost is $20 per person and includes both Friday and Saturday nights; there is a $10 non-refundable deposit. Maximum 15 people per group campsite.
- Parking is limited.
- Contact Georganne Ross georganne.ross@gmail.com for more information and to reserve your spot.
Nearby Lodging Options:
Cascade Inn at Fall Creek Falls (now includes Mitchell Manor) – About 10 minutes from the Lodge. 34 Rozzell Rd, Pikeville, TN (423) 881-5700
Cozy Cabins & Cottages – 5 minutes outside FCF in Spencer, TN 931-946-3144
Mountain Glen RV Park & Campground – Camping & Glamping. 20 minutes from FCF. 877-716-4493
Scheduled Hikes
- All hikes depart from the Cascades Patio at the FCF Lodge.
- Drive times are from the FCF Lodge.
- All departure times are Central time.
- All hike distances are round-trip in miles.
- Carpooling to the trailhead is required.
- All hikers must wear their Annual Meeting Badge.
- Hikes may have limited participation.
For the Cumberland Caverns Discovery Tour / Apple Brandy Hike (#16) and Pontoon Boat tours (# 17 & 21), pre-register with Joan Hartvigsen to guarantee your spot, jhartvigs@comcast.net. Pay at registration on Friday
2024 Tennessee Trails Annual Meeting Program
All activities are in the Cascades Ballroom and Lobby unless otherwise noted.
Friday October 25
11:00 Registration Opens—Badge Pick-up & Welcome Bag / Receive Auction Items & Bake Sale Items /
Sign up for Friday afternoon, Saturday & Sunday Hikes / Reserve & Pay for Cumberland Caverns tour
($22) & Pontoon Boat Tour ($10)
12:00 Hikes depart from Cascades Patio — Return by 4:00
3:30 – 5:00 Happy Hour at Lakeside Fire Ring—BYO adult beverage & a camp chair; sodas & snacks
provided
4:30 No-Host Bar Opens / Silent Auction Opens
6:00 Dinner Buffet / Welcome by Ranger
6:45 – 7:30 Scavenger Hunt / Mixer / Prize Drawing
7:30 “Fall Creek, Virgin Falls, and the Mid-Cumberlands: Tennessee’s Hidden Treasure.” Stuart
Carroll, Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park Manager and coauthor of the book “Hiking Tennessee.”
Saturday October 26
7:00 – 8:00* Registration & Badge Pick-up / Box Lunch pick-up / Sign up for Saturday & Sunday Hikes
7:45 First Hikes depart from Cascades Patio / Shorter hikes at 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, & 9:00
2:00 – 3:00 Pontoon Boat Tour (prepaid reservation)
4:30 No-Host Bar Opens / Silent Auction Open
5:00 Dinner Buffet
6:00 General Meeting and Awards / Silent Auction closes
7:15 “The Magnificent Migration of the Monarch Butterflies to Mexico!” Kris Light, American Museum
of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge.
8:00 Pick up & Pay for auction purchases (cash/check/debit/credit)
Sunday October 27
7:00 – 8:00* Sack Lunch pick-up / Sign up for Sunday Hikes
8:00 Hikes depart from Cascades Patio
8:30 Directors & Officers Meeting
10:00 – 11:00 Pontoon Boat Tour (prepaid reservation)
*Continental breakfast is included for those staying at the lodge and is available beginning at 7:00 am.
Coffee is available for purchase in the lobby area.
General Membership Meeting
TTA members in attendance will receive reports about the status of the Tennessee Trails Association and its chapters. New TTA Board Members will be elected for 2025. Awards will be given to outstanding members. Your attendance and participation is encouraged. We need a quorum to make decisions as an organization that best support our mission and our growth.
Featured Speakers
Friday evening , Stuart Carroll, Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park Manager and coauthor of “Hiking in Tennessee“ will present “Fall Creek, Virgin Falls, and the Mid-Cumberlands: Tennessee’s Hidden Treasure.”
Saturday night’s featured speaker is Kris Light from the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge. Her topic will be “The Magnificent Migration of the Monarch Butterflies.” Did you know that Middle Tennessee is on the path?
2024 Annual Meeting Apparel
- 2024 Annual Meeting Apparel can be pre-ordered on the Annual Meeting Registration form.
- Limited stock will be available for sale at the meeting.
- This year’s T-Shirt is a long-sleeve poly in royal heather blue – perfect for hiking.
- There is also a royal blue beanie with the TTA logo for purchase.
- Thanks to our design team Georganne Ross and Cindy Watson!
Fundraising
There will be a Silent Auction and a Bake Sale
Links to donated item forms
The TTA 501(C)3 tax exempt letter is available in the Members Area under Brochures & Forms
The members of the Murfreesboro and Highland Rim Chapters are looking forward to hosting hikers from across Tennessee.