Full Day Hike

Saturday, July 6 — Emery Creek Falls Trail near Chatsworth, GA. Moderate, 5.9 miles, 900’ el. gain, out and back. This is a highly rated “adventurous” trail with many creek crossings, so bring good water shoes, preferably sturdy enough for hiking. The two-step set of waterfalls at the turnaround point is just great! 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 water shoes, 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 7:30 am ET at Wendy’s, 6727 Ringgold Rd., left (east) off I-75 Exit 1. Registration with the hike leader is necessary to receive cancellation notifications, etc.: Betsy Darken, 423-718-2060. Carpool cost: $6.00.

Saturday, June 29 — Hall Road section of the Cumberland Trail, Signal Mountain TN, out-and-back, about 8 miles, maybe 800-1,000’ elevation gain, moderate to strenuous due to distance and elevation gain; or a second option of turning back around the 3-mile mark, for a 6-mile hike.  This section is complete but not yet listed on the CTC website, so the elevation change is just a guess. The trail at Hall Road starts off downhill into the North Chickamauga Creek gorge, then follows the creek for about 4 miles to an old road crossing. Here we will stop to eat and then head back. The forested trail is typical of the Cumberland Trail, with roots, rocks, and possibly a few blow downs to negotiate. The creek is a beautiful whitewater stream with waterfalls on side streams that are quite photogenic (assuming there is water). 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 (it’s summer!); gather up sunscreen and insect repellent (essential), hiking poles and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 7:30 am ET at Food City on Signal Mountain Road, in the near back corner of the parking lot. https://bit.ly/3pk0suY  Please register with hike leader Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060, and include which option you prefer. Carpool cost $1.00.

Saturday, June 22 — John Muir Trail, Reliance TN, in-and-out, about 9 miles, moderately strenuous with moderate elevation change, or a second option of turning back around the 3-mile mark, for a 6-mile hike. We’ll start at the Appalachia powerhouse and hike mostly in the shade along the lovely Hiwassee River, turning around at Coker Creek. 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 (it’s summer!); gather up sunscreen and insect repellent (essential) and hiking poles and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 7:30 am ET in the parking area near the gas station at Food City on Relocation Way in Ooltewah, right (east) off I-75 exit 11. https://bit.ly/3dwmbxn  Please register with hike leader Tammy Hendrick at 315-949-8187, and include which option you prefer.Carpool cost $5.00.

Saturday, April 27 — McGill Creek and beyond, about 6-6.5 miles, out and back, approximately 1,200’ el. gain, moderate. We will start at the Roaring Creek parking lot close to Graysville TN. The McGill Creek trail is off to the left, a forest trail that initially parallels Brayton Mountain Road, then crosses the road at 1.1 miles. It gradually descends into the McGill Creek Gulf, alternating between an old roadbed and single-file sections. At 2.2 miles, we reach McGill Creek and shortly after that the bridge. There are beautiful views of the creek from the bridge! The trail to the falls is across the bridge and to the right. From the bridge to the falls the terrain is rocky with ups and downs, with a number of stone steps. At around 2.8 miles, we reach a spur that will take us 200 feet down to the impressive McGill Creek Falls. When we hike back up to the CT, we’ll go somewhat further to see another waterfall on a tributary of McGill Creek. Since the CT is not yet officially open beyond this point, we will turn around here. Check the weather forecast and choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and/or 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 Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S  Please register with hike leader Tim Booth, (423) 400-2011, or tceebooth@epbfi.com. Carpool: $2.00.