Half Day Hike

Tuesday, January 23 — River to Clouds Trail, about 5 miles, moderate. There are actually only a few new pieces of this freshly designated 34-mile trail from the Tennessee River to Cloudland Canyon, including the first mile or so at the beginning of our hike. We will start at the northern terminus in St. Elmo, off Old Wauhatchie Pike near Church St. We’ll be passing by some of the domesticated climbing boulders that have been corralled into this corner of Lookout Mountain. Then we will make our way up to Guild Trail, which has taken over the bed of an abandoned narrow-gauge railway, along with its classy bridges. Guild Trail busts all the way through several Ruby Falls parking lots to make its way around the nose of Lookout Mountain and up to Cravens House, but we won’t get this far. The mystery of this hike is the location of the turnaround point. 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. Please 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  There will be no carpooling because we are going to walk the three blocks from the parking lot to the trailhead. Please register with hike leader John Prescott, (352) 496-0977. 

Tuesday, January 9 — Walden’s Ridge Park trails, 4 to 5 miles, moderate, out-and-back. This is yet another new set of trails in the Chattanooga area, located on the side of Signal Mountain/Walden Ridge. We will start our hike at the bottom of the mountain, using the trailhead off Mountain Creek Road. We’ll meander through the woods in a gentle uphill fashion, then wander more or less downhill to return where we started. Rocks and boulders will be encountered. Crazy mountain bikers will be avoided. Walden Falls will be seen in the distance. 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 on Signal Mountain Road, in the near back corner of the parking lot. https://bit.ly/3pk0suY Please register with hike leader Tom McElhone, 805-208-4654 or sarmitta@yahoo.com  Carpool cost $1.00.

Tuesday, January 2 – White Oak Mountain trails just north of Chattanooga, approximately 4.5 miles, moderate, about 630’ el. gain. We’ll hike Dogwood, Krebs Cycle, Black Bear, and parts of Big Red and Christmas Top trails. Enjoy these beautiful trails, which are part of the Southern Adventist University campus but open to the public. We will encounter lots of foot bridges and small streams with overlooks of the Collegedale area. 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 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 Tim Booth, (423) 400-2011, or tceebooth@epbfi.com. Carpool cost $1.00.

Tuesday December 26 — Summit Knobs Trail, about 5 miles, easy, in-and-out. This hike bobs up and down gentle hills as it makes its way to Harrison Branch creek, our turnaround point. The full name of the trail is Summit Knobs Equestrian Trail—we’ll have to watch our step! Restrooms are available. For carpooling/ caravanning, meet at 8:30 am ET at Food City, 4510 Highway 58, just northeast of the Highway 58 exit off Highway 153. The trailhead is located on Ferdinand Piech Way, right turn off Highway 58 just before Harrison Elementary School. Please register with hike leader Will Latham, (704) 365-8889. Carpool cost $1.00.