Half Day Hike

Tuesday, July 16 — Enterprise South Park, Chattanooga: Hawk Ridge loop trail, about 4 miles or so, 320’ el. gain, easy. This is a pleasant walk in the woods, with occasional TNT bunkers reminding us of this park’s past as the Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant (1942- 1977). You may be pleased to hear that all the bunkers are empty…as far as we know. We’ll take Poe Run Path to get to Hawkins Ridge Trail, which will take us to Dogwood Ridge Trail and then back on Poe Run. 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 in season; gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. Meet at 7:30 am ET at the parking lot on the left just after the main entrance to Enterprise South Park, 190 Still Hollow Loop Road, Chattanooga. Registration with the hike leader is necessary to receive cancellation notifications, etc.: Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com. Carpool cost: $0.00.

Tuesday, July 9 — Gee Creek Falls Trail, near the Hiwassee-Ocoee State Park, 2.7 miles, 574’ el. gain, out and back, moderate due to some rock scrambling and creek crossings. This is a very interesting and shaded hike along a lovely creek, with a couple of intriguing waterfalls. Beyond the falls, there is some question as to where the trail ends, but hey, what’s life without a little mystery?  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 in parking area near the gas station at Food City in Ooltewah, right (east) off I-75 exit 11. https://bit.ly/3dwmbxn Registration with the hike leader is necessary to receive cancellation notifications, etc.: Jennifer Davis, (615) 617-2505 or jdavis327@gmail.com. Carpool cost: $4.00.

Tuesday, June 25 — Stringer’s Ridge, Chattanooga: Blue Trail, 3.3 miles, 508’ el. gain, moderate due to a number of ups and downs. We’ll be hiking in shady woods, enjoying a great overlook of the Tennessee River and Chattanooga, and having lots of choices for where to eat lunch!  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. Meet at 7:30 am ET at the trailhead in North Chattanooga at the north end of Spears Ave, one street west of North Market St. Please register with hike leaders Jean and William Smith, (423) 596-7681. Carpool cost $0.00.

Tuesday, June 18 — Forest Hills Cemetery and Hawkins Ridge Trail, with an urban walk in historic St. Elmo, Chattanooga, moderate, around 3-4 miles. St. Elmo is Chattanooga’s first suburb and one of its Historic Districts. It includes Forest Hills Cemetery, a beautiful cemetery that was established in 1880 near the foot of Lookout Mountain. Its monuments display a wide range of architectural styles and the gravesites include those of Civil War officers, prominent citizens, unknown children who died at a local orphanage, and local residents up to the present day. From our meeting spot, we will walk a short distance to wander around the cemetery. Afterwards we’ll walk a few blocks through historic St. Elmo to the trailhead for Hawkins Ridge Trail. This wooded ridge is parallel to Lookout Mountain and located between St. Elmo and Alton Park. The trail provides glimpses of these surroundings along with signs of old mining activities. After a mile or so, we will take a side trail back down into the Historic District, passing by many attractive houses built in the late Victorian Era and early 20^th century, along with newer houses that may or may not blend in with the older décor. Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or boots; put on sunscreen and insect repellent; bring snacks and/or lunch along with more water than you think you need (it’s summer!); gather up hiking poles and rain jacket as needed. Meet at 7:30 am ET at Food City in St. Elmo, in the area of the parking lot straight ahead off Tennessee Ave. https://bit.ly/3C3Um9L  Please register with hike leader Ginny Kidd, (423) 304-3799. Carpool cost $0.00.

Tuesday, June 11 — Short Springs Natural Area near Tullahoma, 3.5 miles, 406’ el. gain, easy to moderate. Want to see four waterfalls on a short and beautiful hike? Then join us! We will see Machine, Adams, and Busby Falls. The trail is relatively easy, except for the steep stairs down to the base of the falls and the hike back up the hill. We will take our time. After this hike, we will caravan five minutes down the road to Rutledge Falls, a large, impressive waterfall. This waterfall is very accessible as you can see it clearly after just a 0.2-mile walk. There are lots of options to explore here as well:  make your way down to the base of the falls, take a side trail down to the river, and/or take another side trail to see the top of the falls. Optional brunch/lunch after the hike: we will caravan 10 minutes to The Celtic Cup (Irish/Scottish themed restaurant) in Tullahoma for good food and fellowship. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring food and water; gather up sunscreen and insect repellent (essential); and bring hiking poles and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 7:30 am ET at the parking lot just after LaQuinta Inn, right (north) off I-24 Exit 175. https://bit.ly/3QITAD4  Otherwise, meet at the trailhead at 8:45 am ET (7:45 am CT). Please register with hike leader Jennifer Davis at 615-617-2505. Carpool cost $7.00. 

Tuesday, June 4 — NOTE: Meeting Times for all future hikes through August are at 7:30 AM ET. Benton McKaye Trail: Lost Creek Campground to Hiwassee River, 4-5 miles, easy/moderate due to medium hills at the beginning and end of the hike. Requires a 30-minute shuttle. We will drop off cars near the railroad overpass beyond the Hiwassee Outfitters campground, then drive to and park at the Lost Creek Campground. The drive is mostly on a dirt road in surprisingly good condition. Just before the campground, it takes us past the trailhead, which we walk back to by turning right out of the campground. This section of the BMT is mostly a pleasant stroll along Big Lost Creek, which cascades through a lush gorge. The creek has kindly carved out some very interesting rock formations for our rock-o-philes. This part of the trail used to be a railroad graded very gently for hauling logs, aka almost flat. 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 in Ooltewah, right (east) off I-75 exit 11. https://bit.ly/3dwmbxn  Please register with hike leader Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com. Carpool cost $5.00.