Full Day Hike

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 of the TN river gorge. Check the hourly 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 in season; gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. Meet at Food City on Signal Mountain Road at 8:30 ET. Please register with Tammy Hendrick at 315-949-8187. Carpool cost $1.00.

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 the gazebo, 6-7 miles, easy/moderate. This shorter hike does not include the steep uphill. Check the hourly 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 in season; gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at the Reflection Riding parking lot, 400 Garden Road, Chattanooga. Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060.

Saturday, August 24 — Cumberland Trail starting at Devil’s Breakfast Table near Crab Orchard TN, out-and-back, 7.8-8.5 miles, 1100’-1500’ el. gain, moderate. Most of the time, this trail through the woods runs along the top of the bluff overlooking Daddys Creek, with a dip or two down to the creek. Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts often change dramatically. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and/or lunch along with more water than you think you need; use insect repellent; gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy at 7:30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S  Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060.

Saturday, August 10 — Signal Point to Edwards Point, Signal Mountain TN, 6 miles, in & out, 900’ el. gain, moderately strenuous due to lots of rocks. We’ll be hiking in shade and checking out great views of the Tennessee river gorge. Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts often change dramatically. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and/or lunch along with more water than you think you need; use insect repellent; gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. Meet at 7:30 ET at Food City on Signal Mountain Road. Register with the hike leader (necessary to receive cancellation notices, etc.): Tammy Hendrick at 315-949-8187. Carpool cost: $1.00.

Saturday, August 3 — Covenant College to Cravens House, near Chattanooga, around 6 miles, easy (moderate on spur trails), practically all downhill! Short easy shuttle. We’ll start our hike from the Covenant College visitors parking lot, less than 15 minutes from the carpool rendezvous. This is your big chance to admire “The Castle” up close! If you have ever driven east to Chattanooga on I-24, you have seen this castle sitting in grand isolation atop the west ridge of Lookout Mountain. Turret and all! Your hike leader/tour guide will tell you all about it. From this famous spot, we will head downhill to a trail that takes us to Ochs Gateway, where we go down to the Bluff Trail. This trail along the bottom of the ramparts never gets old. Great cliffs, wonderful views, and a very well-kept trail! We’ll stop for a snack either below or on top of Sunset Rock, depending on your feelings about the steep climb up to its fantastic view. Warning: the rock steps to the top do not meet OSHA specs. We will continue along the Bluff Trail another mile to the tip of the mountain, where your feelings will be consulted once again as you ponder the two steep metal staircases that ascend to Point Park, or perhaps just to the Ochs Museum, which is a great spot for lunch. Just think of how happy the Union soldiers would have been to have found these stairs back in 1863! Next, we’ll head down Mountain Beautiful Trail to Cravens House. Have you noticed how often the word “down” appears in this description? Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts often change dramatically. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and/or lunch along with more water than you think you need; use insect repellent; gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 7:30 am ET at Food City in St. Elmo, in the area of the parking lot straight ahead off TN Ave. https://bit.ly/3C3Um9L  Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com.