Half Day Hike

Tuesday, February 13 — Goforth Creek Trail and Scenic Spur Trail, 4 miles or so, moderate, out-and-back. Goforth Creek is a crazy little whitewater creek that jumps over huge boulders before it settles down for 50 feet and flows quietly into the Ocoee River. We’ll walk along this creek for a little way to admire the waters leaping over, around, and through the boulders. Then we’ll drive to the Scenic Spur trailhead and hike on a beautiful trail that takes us to an impressive waterfall, known by some as Rainbow Falls. The trail follows Rock Creek, which is making a determined exit off Chilhowee Mountain after jumping down Benton Falls and carving its way through a number of cliffs. We will pass scads of rhododendron bushes and look up at impressive cliffs guarding the northern edge of this narrow valley. There are a couple of creek crossings, so be sure to bring your water shoes. Check the weather forecast and choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring water, snacks and/or lunch; bring water shoes; gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, and sunscreen 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  Please register with hike leader Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com. Carpool cost: $4.00.

Tuesday, February 6 — South Cumberland State Park: Foster Falls to Small Wilds Campground, 5 miles out-and-back, flat, easy to moderate. On this hike we will enjoy two overlooks of Foster Falls and many cool overlooks of Fiery Gizzard Cove. Check the weather forecast and choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring water, snacks and/or lunch; gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, and sunscreen as needed. Meeting time is 9:15 am ET at the Foster Falls/Fiery Gizzard South Trailhead, 498 Foster Falls Road, Sequatchie, TN. For carpooling/caravanning from Chattanooga, meet at 8:30 am ET at the parking lot just after LaQuinta Inn, right (north) off I-24 Exit 175. https://bit.ly/3QITAD4  Register with Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914. Carpool cost: $3.00.

Tuesday, January 16 — Five Points trails, 4 to 5 miles, loop, easy. Starting at the Ascalon trailhead, we will take the Cloudland Canyon Connector Trail northeast into the maze of trails known as Five Points. Assuming we can plow our way through the can-full-of-worms junction of at least seven trails at the center of this maze, we’ll keep heading NE on Windy Shot. Then we will wander back to the start via Slickenside and North Hogsback Trails, or whatever trails that are going in the general SW direction. Check the weather forecast and choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring food and water; and gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, and sunscreen as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 8:30 am ET at Food City in St. Elmo, in the area of the parking lot straight ahead off TN Ave. https://bit.ly/3C3Um9L Please register with hike leader Will Latham, (704) 365-8889. Carpool cost $2.00.

Tuesday, January 30 —Perimeter Trail in Sewanee: Roakes Cove Road to the Forestry Cabin, easy to moderate, out-and-back, 6.2 miles with a 200′ elevation gain. Roakes Cove is scenic with water often streaming from the top of the ridge and enhancing the beauty of the area. We will access the Perimeter Trail from the road via a short climb that is rocky in places. The trail quickly turns into rolling terrain with a couple of minor creek crossings. Along the way we will take a side trail to KA Point, one of the prominent lookout spots on the Perimeter.  We will then continue to the 50-year-old cabin, which sits on the edge of a bluff well-situated for a breath-taking view. There are picnic tables and even a porch swing that is perfect for stopping a bit. As always be weather aware and bring appropriate clothing layers, hiking shoes, snacks, water, rain jacket and hiking poles. There  is limited parking at the trailhead, so we will be meeting to carpool at the parking lot just past the LaQuinta Inn, off I-24 Exit 175 at 8:30 AM EST. Register with hike leader Delores Ladd at 214-422-7206 (text only) or ladddelores@gmail.com. Carpool cost $5.00.