Tennessee Trails Association

Promoting the development and enjoyment of Tennessee trails.

Full Day Hike

Cloudland Canyon: Longer & Shorter

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March 29 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, March 29 — Cloudland Canyon State Park with two options, Trenton GA. LONGER HIKE: Sitton’s Gulch, Waterfalls Trail, and West Rim Trail, 8 miles or so, 1300’ el. gain, strenuous. Shuttle involved. A well-maintained trail with lots of wildflowers, three spectacular waterfalls, a rushing whitewater creek, looming cliffs, and lots of views. What more could you ask for? SHORTER HIKE: Sitton’s Gulch, around 4 miles or so depending on how many waterfalls you want to see, out and back, easy to moderate. Gobs of wildflowers! 

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 lunch along with more water than you think you need; and gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, sunscreen, and insect repellent as needed.  

For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 8:30 am ET at the parking lot on the left just after LaQuinta Inn, which is right (north) off I-24 Exit 175. https://bit.ly/3QITAD4. Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com. Carpool cost: $8.00. 

Tom McElhone

(805) 208-4654

View Organizer Website

CT: Moccasin Creek

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March 22 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, March 22 — Moccasin Creek Section of the Cumberland Trail (CT), near Spring City, 8.0 miles, in-and-out, strenuous due to several elevation gains. Moccasin Creek flows into the Piney River. We will start on the south end of this new segment of the CT. This may be an exploratory hike, depending on circumstances. 

Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Choose appropriate layers; bring water shoes; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and lunch along with more water than you think you need; and gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, sunscreen, and insect repellent as needed.  

For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 8:30 am ET in the parking area near the gas station at Food City in Ooltewah TN, right (east) off I-75 exit 11. https://bit.ly/3dwmbxn  BRING WATER SHOES. Please register with hike leader Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060. 

Betsy Darken

423 718 2060

CT: Devil’s Breakfast Table

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March 15 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, March 15 — Devil’s Breakfast Table Section of the Cumberland Trail (Take 2), near Crab Orchard TN, 7.6 miles, point-to-point, 1900’ el. gain, moderate due to rocky terrain and climbs. Relatively short shuttle. We will start our hike at the northern trailhead at Devil’s Breakfast Table on Daddy’s Creek and continue to Peavine Road and our parked shuttle cars. This trail mostly travels along the top of the bluff above Daddy’s Creek, with several beautiful overlooks, dipping down to the creek midway through our hike. 

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 the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com. Carpool cost: $8.00. 

Tom McElhone

(805) 208-4654

View Organizer Website

North Chickamauga Creek

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March 8 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, March 8 — North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park, about 8.5 miles, in & out hike, about 1200’ el. gain, moderate/strenuous due to elevation change. We will start at the Barker Camp Road trailhead and turn around at Stevenson’s Branch. The trail leads us to a great overlook followed by a descent to Cooper Creek, which has a new bridge. In a short distance we will arrive at Stevenson’s Branch, which includes a lovely waterfall in a beautiful camping area, all close to North Chickamauga Creek. Water shoes? Maybe.  

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 lunch along with more water than you think you need; and gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, sunscreen, and insect repellent as needed.  

For carpooling/caravanning, meet at Walmart supercenter in Soddy Daisy on Dayton Pike at 8:30 am ET. Please register with Tammy Hendrick at 315-949-8187. Carpool: $2.00. 

Tammy Hendrick

(315) 949-8187

Laurel Snow SNA: Shorter & Longer

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March 1 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, March 1 — Laurel Snow SNA with two options. LONGER: Laurel Falls followed by a hike to a natural bridge, about 9 miles, 1200’ el. gain, out-and-back, moderate/strenuous. SHORTER: Laurel Falls, 4.7 miles, 708’ el. gain, out-and-back, moderate. We will all start out on the mostly flat trail along Richland Creek, which should be quite frisky this time of year, and we’ll pass many signs of the extensive coal-mining operation along this creek. The trail up to Laurel Falls is via switchbacks. If we’re lucky, this 80-foot falls will be at full blast—quite a sight! Hikers doing the shorter hike will head back at this point, while long hikers will head uphill and then through a steep and narrow passage to the top of the plateau. We’ll cross Laurel Creek before it’s even thinking about jumping off the cliff. Bring water shoes. Next, we stroll to Laurel Point for a fine view, then take the old road leading out from this point, find a secret trail, and end up at an impressive natural bridge. Wow! Then we retrace our steps and see everything in reverse. 

Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Choose appropriate layers; bring water shoes for crossing Laurel Creek, especially since the water will very likely be high at this time of year; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and lunch along with more water than you think you need; and gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, sunscreen, and insect repellent as needed. Do not forget your water shoes.  

For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 8:30 am ET at the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy. BRING WATER SHOES. Please register with hike leader Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060. 

Betsy Darken

423 718 2060

Savage Gulf

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February 22 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, February 22 — Savage Gulf Stone Door Trailhead, with two options. Both hikes start on the Stone Door Trail and Big Creek Rim Trail (BCR). Shorter option: At the end of BCR, take Laurel Trail back to the parking lot, 7 miles, very little elevation gain, moderate due to length; led by Tom McElhone. Longer option: At the end of BCR, take Big Creek Gulf Trail, including an optional spur to Ranger Falls (depending on creek height), 9.1miles plus 0.8 miles for round trip to Ranger Falls, 1620’ el. gain, moderate/strenuous. Beautiful waterfalls, impressive cliffs, lively creek and impressive views; led by Betsy Darken.

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 the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S  Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Betsy Darken, 423-718-2060. Carpool: $6.00.

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