Day Hike

Join us for a very pleasant 4+ mile hike. We’ll begin our hike at Hooper Bald parking area and proceed to Huckleberry Knob crossing the parkway and hiking to a magnificent view of Tennessee and North Carolina mountains. If the weather cooperates, we’ll sit, drink, snack and enjoy our surroundings. We could see wild hogs or other creatures who call this Knob their home. For carpooling, let’s meet at Denny’s parking area (outer parking parameter) at the Watt Rd exit off I-75 S at 8:00 am. Check with your driver for carpooling dollars. Bring a little extra money because we will stop at the famous Tellico Grain Co. for their wonderful pastries. We expect to be at the trailhead by 10:00 am. Pre-registration is advised. For additional information or questions, please call Rosie at 865.985.9144 or rosemary_L@hotmail.com

This is an easy trail around Indian Boundary Lake. The loop is 3.6 miles on a very nice hiking-biking trail along the shoreline with only minor ups and downs. We will start our hike at the swimming area which has a broad sandy beach and restrooms. The hike is rated as easy. We recommend shoes to wear to and from the hike plus sturdy hiking shoes, other weather appropriate clothing, swimsuit, a drink, and a camera. After the hike, we will have lunch, bring your lunch, and if you want, take a swim. Picnic tables are available. There is an Indian Boundary Recreation Area parking fee – $3 per vehicle ($1.50 if you have an Interagency Pass/Golden Passport or Regional/Forest Pass #) For those who want to carpool, we leave from Denny’s Restaurant off the Watt Road Exit off I-75 South at 8:00 am. We will stop at Tellico Grain Co for their delicious pastries. We expect to arrive at the Indian Boundary swimming area/trailhead by 10:00 am and start the hike at 10:15 am. Carpool dollars are requested of all riders. Round trip from Knoxville is about 160 miles. For specific information about the hike please contact Tom at 582-5622 and leave a message or send an email to cressler@retiree.utk.edu before June 15th .

We’ll touch on several different trails but they’re all easy, no significant elevation changes. We’ll past through woodlands and see Creekside habitats showcasing a variety of wildlife and natural plants as well as remnants, stairs, building foundations and other remains of pre-Manhattan project settlements. Also, we’ll see parts of the Quarry, the Quarry Lake and old cemeteries. The hike is about 6 miles. We’ll meet in Oak Ridge at the Books-A-Million parking lot nearest Illinois Ave for carpooling to the trail head because parking is limited, leaving at 9:00am. For additional information, please contact Scott Adams at 815.608.0879 or adamsscott1950@gmail.com

We will be hiking the Lilly Bluff Overlook Trail, Boulder Trail and Point Trail at the Obed National Wild and Scenic River area in Lancing TN.

The National Park Service describes the Lilly Bluff Overlook trail as an easy 0.3 mile “stroll through hemlock forest to a great overlook of the Clear Creek Gorge”. The Boulder Field Trail leaves the Lilly Bluff overlook parking area and winds through HUGE boulders and impressive stands of Hemlock (0.4 miles). The Point Trail is a 3.8 mile moderate roundtrip hike culminating “on the narrow, exposed ridge that separates the Obed River from Clear Creek before the two flow together.” Poles are advised as there is one small stretch of steepness and a small water crossing.

We will meet and depart at Books A Million, 310 South Illinois Avenue in Oak Ridge at 9 am to carpool to Trailhead. Please arrive in time to leave at 9 am. If you prefer to drive and meet us at the Lilly Bluff Overlook Parking Lot (there is plenty of parking) you will likely not have phone service. Please know ahead of time where we’re meeting – have a backup plan in case you lose gps service. The coordinates are 36.102525, -84.721554. There are restrooms at the Overlook Parking Lot. We will plan to depart trailhead at 10:00 am EST

We have two options in the area for lunch. Lillypad Hopyard Brewery(drink) and Sauced Frog (food) OR Moco Brewery in Wartburg (drink) with lunch delivered from next door Tanner’s Historic Café. Alternatively, we can return to Oak Ridge and eat there.
To register for the hike contact Kathy Taylor at khtaylor1031@comcast.net or
865-679-5335.