Saturday, August 5 — High Voltage Trail at Raccoon Mountain, 8-9 miles in & out, moderate, 1,200’ el. gain. We start next to the Tennessee River and gradually ascend to the top of Raccoon Mountain for a great overlook and lunch. Then we retrace our steps down the shared bike/hike path. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at the parking lot just after LaQuinta Inn, right (north) off I-24 Exit 175 at 7:30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3QITAD4 Please register with Tammy Hendrick at 315-949-8187. Carpool cost: $1.00
Saturday, July 22 — Coker Creek Falls, moderate, 590’ el. gain, 6.5 miles, with an optional second hike to Turtletown Falls Trail for a total of 10.3 miles, 1160’ elevation gain. Great hikes along rowdy creeks, but possibly with several blowdowns to get over, through, or around. 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. Meet at 7:30 at Food City in Ooltewah, east off exit 11 from I-75. Please register with hike leader Betsy Darken, 423-718-2060.
Saturday, July 15 — Emery Creek Falls Trail, moderate, around 6 miles, 900’ el. gain, out-and-back. This is a beautiful trail with a record number of creek crossings, so do not attempt at high water. Almost all the crossings are easy, but you may get wet at the first one—no problem on a hot summer day. The double waterfalls at our turnaround point is very cool! Bring good water shoes, preferably ones that you can use for both creek crossings and hiking. Also bring lunch, lots of water, bug repellent, sunscreen, and other summer essentials. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at Wendy’s, left (east) off I-75 Exit 1 (East Ridge) at 7:30 am ET. Please register with hike leader Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com.
Saturday, July 8 — Stone Door to Big Creek Rim, returning on Laurel Trails Loop, 7 miles, easy to moderate because of distance. A second option is to return by going down the Big Creek Gulf Trail and up the Stone Door Trail, for total of 9.5 miles and 1620’ elevation gain. Bring water, snacks, insect repellent, and lunch. Both hikes feature many awesome overlooks of Big Creek Gulf and Savage Gulf. At the end of the shorter hike and maybe the longer hike, we will visit nearby Laurel Falls, where Laurel Creek drops 25 feet into a pool below a lip of rock with a hollowed-out amphitheater behind. Meet at 8:50 am ET (7:50 am CT) at the Stone Door Ranger Station, 1183 Stone Door Road, Beersheba Springs, TN, or for carpooling, meet at 7:30 am ET at the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S Please register with Joan Hartvigsen, 931-636-2914 or jhartvigs@comcast.net.
Saturday, July 1 — John Muir Trail along the Hiwassee River, 6-8 miles, easy, shuttle involved. This is a beautiful trail that follows the scenic river through the mountains. We’ll start at the Appalachia Powerhouse and end at Childers Creek Road, seeing fishermen, rafters, kayakers, and maybe bald eagles along the way. Bring water shoes if you want to cool off in the river. Also bring lunch, lots of water, bug repellent, sunscreen, and other summer essentials. For carpooling/caravanning at 7:30 am ET, meet in parking area near the gas station at Food City in Ooltewah, right off I-75 exit 11. https://bit.ly/3dwmbxn
Please register with hike leader Tammy Hendrick at 315-949-8187.
Saturday, June 24 — Gahuti Backcountry Loop at Fort Mountain State Park, Chatsworth, GA. 8 miles, moderate, 1960 ft elevation gain. This beautiful, ever-changing trail passes just below the summits of both Cohutta and Fort Mountains. There are some short steep climbs and descents as the trail wanders through ravines and around ridge crests. We will visit a three-tier waterfall, enjoy grand views of the Cohutta Mountains and travel through mature hardwood forests. Bring a lot of water, snacks and lunch. Bring hiking sticks and wear sturdy hiking boots. Meet at the Gahuti trailhead parking lot at 8:40 am EDT or, for carpooling/caravanning from the Chattanooga area, meet at 7:30 am ET at Wendy’s, left (east) off I-75 Exit 1 (East Ridge). Please register with Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914. Carpool cost/person: $4.