Half Day Hike

Tuesday, May 27 — Savage Gulf State Park: Collins Gulf Trail to Horsepound Falls, Gruetli-Laager, TN, about 5.0 miles, moderate, 866 ft. el. gain, out & back. If you love waterfalls, this is the hike for you! We will wind our way downhill, passing Suter Falls and West Collins Campground, and then make our way down to the Collins River and the exquisite Horsepound Falls.

Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and/or lunch along with more water than you think you need; use insect repellant, gather up 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 Please register with hike leader (required for all Scenic City

hikes): Tim Booth, 423-400-2011. Carpool cost $4.00.

Tuesday, May 20 – Little Cedar Mountain, 3.2 miles, easy. Very pleasant hike through the woods and along Nickajack Lake.

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.

 Meet at the parking lot on the far side of LaQuinta Inn, north off I-24 Exit 174, at 8:30 am. Register with the hike leader Julie Roberts, (305) 338-9450 or joggerjulie@bellsouth.net. Carpool: $2.00.

Saturday, May 24 – Dunn Overlook, Snow Falls, and Buzzard’s Point, near Dayton TN; Strenuous, 9.8 miles in and out. Rumor has it that there is now a bridge over Morgan Creek, but unless this is confirmed, bring water shoes. Buzzard’s Roost is our turnaround point. Adventurous souls can check out the nooks and crannies and cranky buzzards living at this well-named point.

Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes; 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 197 Durham Street in Soddy Daisy, at the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) just off Dayton Pike. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S  Please register with hike leader Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060. Carpool: $2.00.

Tuesday, May 13 – Greenway Farms in Hixson, 4.7 miles, easy. We will combine the paved and

graveled main path with the meadow trail that borders North Chickamauga Creek. From there, we will see the section of the creek that General Sherman used to sneak thousands of Union troops behind Rebel lines to join with Grant in the final battle to take Chattanooga before his march to Atlanta. After our stroll, we will consider having lunch at nearby eateries on Hixson Pike.

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.

Meet at 8:30 am at Greenway Farms, 5051 Gann Store Road, Hixson. Go past the small parking lot near the entrance to the larger one at the restrooms. Register with hike leader Ginny Kidd, (423) 304-3799.

Tuesday, May 6 – Benton MacKaye Trail: Lost Creek Campground to the Hiwassee River, 4.1 miles, easy/moderate. Requires shuttle. This is an especially outstanding section of the Benton McKaye Trail, paralleling Big Lost Creek and its cascades and waterfalls through a deep limestone gorge. The trail follows an old railroad grade built for logging in the early 1900s, then later used for a road. Beautiful rock formations are seen on both sides of the trail, with plenty of great stopping places. The only drawback is a 7-mile gravel road to the campground. However, the road is in excellent condition compared to other Forest Service roads in the Cherokee NF.

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 in parking area near the gas station at Food City in Ooltewah, right (east) off I-75 exit 11. https://bit.ly/3dwmbxn. Register with the hike leader Will Latham, (704) 365-8889. Carpool: $6.00. [FYI, McKaye is pronounced “Mc Ki, with a long “i”. He was Scottish.]

Tuesday, April 29 — Cumberland Trail: Roaring Creek to Wildcat Hollow, Graysville, TN, about 4 miles, moderate (rocky terrain and sharp elevation), 682’ elevation gain, in-and-out. This hike begins with an easy one-mile hike next to the rushing waters of Roaring Creek. We then do a ¾-mile trek up the mountain to an overlook with awesome views. A mere ¼ mile further down the trail is the Wildcat Hollow waterfall. Hopefully, we will see some water flowing and views of the bluff. This is the turnaround point. 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 the Durham Street parking lot (ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy at 8.30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S. Please register with hike leader Tim Booth, 423-400-2011. Carpool costs: $2.00.

Tuesday, April 22 — Buzzard’s Roost, Rocky Face Ridge Park near Dalton GA, around 5.5 miles, 600’-700’ el. gain, moderate. This is an almost brand-new park in fine condition. We will take a trail that leads to a spectacular view in all directions at the top of the ridge. The many switchbacks on the way up this ridge make for a relatively easy ascent. We can look down on I-75 as it heads into Dalton, then hear about the Confederates trying to stop General Sherman at this very ridge as Sherman launched his March to the Sea in 1864.

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 Wendy’s, 6727 Ringgold Rd., left (east) off I-75 Exit 1.Register with the leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Dave Graham, (423) 315-7886. Carpool: $2.00.