Half Day Hike

Tuesday, April 25 — Lookout Mountain: Craven’s House to Sunset Rock and back, about 4 miles, moderate due to an elevation gain of 450-500 feet, with an especially steep climb up to Sunset Rock. From Craven’s House we’ll go up Mountain Beautiful Trail to the impressive cliffs skirting the top of Lookout Mountain, then take the Bluff Trail around the point of the mountain to Sunset Rock. On the way back, we will veer onto Craven’s House Trail and return to our vehicles. The views are great, Sunset Rock is really cool, and the cliffs are fascinating! Check the weather forecast and wear 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, flashlight/headlamp, and insect repellent as needed.  Meet at Craven’s House parking lot at 8:30 am ET. Please register with hike leader Dave Graham, (423) 315-7886.

Tuesday, April 11 — South Cumberland SP: Collins Gulf to Horsepound Falls, 4.5 miles, out-and-back, moderate, elevation gain 866’. Come join us in search of wildflowers—they are almost guaranteed! We will hike to Horsepound Falls via the Collins Gulf trail, which is part of the Savage Gulf trail system. 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, flashlight/headlamp, and insect repellent as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at the Durham Street parking lot (by ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy by 8.30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S.  Please register with hike leaders Roy & Marti Owensby (423) 309-0579 or sewmarti@aol.com. Carpool gas cost: $3.

Tuesday, April 4 — Reflection Riding: Various trails forming a loop, 3 – 5 miles, easy. Reflection Riding is an inspiring combination of park, meadows, swamps, nature center, wildlife rehabilitation, and untamed woods. Our hike will start at the main parking lot and make a loop around the central part of Reflection Riding. Sights include Chief Walking Stick cabin, Resurrection Fern Rock, a pavilion, the Gazebo, millstones, and Oliver Freeman’s Hollow, to say nothing of other attention grabbers such as the Cherokee Eye. We’ll also be keeping an eye out for the invasive privet plant (scrawny and ugly), along with red wolves, lions, tigers, and bears. Check the weather forecast and put on 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, flashlight/headlamp, and insect repellent as needed. Meet at the Reflection Riding parking lot by 8:30 am ET. Please register with hike leader Will Latham, (704) 365-8889.

Tuesday March 28 —Sewanee Perimeter Trail: Bridal Veil Falls, moderate, 4.6 miles, 700’ elevation gain. This hike is the section of the Sewanee Perimeter trail from the Memorial Cross to Bridal Veil Falls. The elevation gain is mostly on the way back to the parking lot. The hike starts with a stunning view of the valley below and continues to one of the most scenic sections of the perimeter, alternating between a series of steep slopes and flat stretches. Due to the beauty and quiet, it will be easy to believe we are in a fairy tale. Since we are crossing several bridges over the creek, be on the lookout for trolls. On the trail we will pass large sandstone blocks and boulders that long ago broke from the bluffs above us. As we near the falls we will hike a short distance off the plateau where a creek appears from the side of the mountain, cascades down a limestone cliff for 25 feet or more, and then disappears into a sinkhole. Check the weather forecast and put on 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. Carpooling will be at the parking lot just after the LaQuinta Inn off I-24, Exit 175 at 8:30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3QITAD4  Please register with hike leader Delores Ladd, 214-422-7206 or ladddelores@gmail.com. Carpool gas cost is $5.

Tuesday, March 21 — Battle of Lookout Mountain continued, 2½ miles, moderate, 900’ elevation gain. Shuttle required. Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Staff Historian Jim Ogden will lead us on the next part of the Battle of Lookout Mountain story, having described the Union sweep of the western slopes of Lookout Mountain and across Reflection Riding last fall. For this hike, we’ll start at Reflection Riding and follow trails (as opposed to “just straight through the woods” as most of the soldiers did), closely emulating the move of the Ohio and Pennsylvania soldiers as they wheeled right and “moved forward en echelon obliquely up the mountain side.” They closed in on Cravens House, which is two thirds of the way up the northeastern slope of the mountain. This became the landmark of landmarks for the Battle of Lookout Mountain, aka the “Battle Above the Clouds,” and marks the end of our hike. Meet by 8:30 am at the new Reflection Riding parking lot across from the Kiddie Trailhead, which is at the bottom of the small hill before the entrance to RR. Please register with Trish Appleton, (423)240-3443 or Appleton-p2@comcast.net

Tuesday, March 14 — Laurel Falls via the Laurel-Snow Falls trail, in/out, 4.7 miles, moderate. This trek first takes us on an old railbed along Richland Creek, past the entrance of Dixon Slope Mine, then over Laurel Creek and up the plateau to the base of the falls. The total elevation gain is approximately 700 feet. Check the weather forecast and put on 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 the Durham Street parking lot (by ball fields) off Dayton Pike in Soddy-Daisy by 8.30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3Qjdc0S Please register with hike leaders Roy & Marti Owensby (423) 309-0579 or sewmarti@aol.com. Carpool gas cost: $2.