Promoting the development and enjoyment of Tennessee trails.
Circular Hike through Dunbar Cave State Park. This is a great hike mostly on natural turf and around the Lake. There are some inclines.
Hike Commences at 9:00am – Meet at the Welcome Center. Dunbar Cave State Park, Clarksville, TN
Hike Leader – Jan 931-220-4140
Thursday, December 19 – Sherwood Forest State Natural Area, Sewanee, TN. South Cumberland State Park – Lost Cove Area. Easy three mile loop hike. This hike offers great views, beautiful forests and interesting geologic features, including a natural bridge. Meet at 9 am CST at the trailhead. Bring water, a snack and hiking poles. Please register with Jim Barritt, 931-492-3212 or jsbarritt@gmail.com. Directions: take exit 134 off Interstate 24, turn left toward Sewanee for 3.1 miles. Then turn left on Hwy 156. Continue 8.5 miles and turn right on Old CCC Road and continue 2 miles to parking area located at the end of the road.
Sunday, December 15 – Garrison Road Loop and the Nature Trail. Old Stone Fort State Park, Manchester, TN. Total mileage 2.5 miles rated easy. Joint hike with the Murfreesboro Chapter. We will meet at 1:00 pm CST at the Old Stone Fort picnic pavilion in the picnic area. We will walk across the Duck River historic pedestrian bridge to the campground and the trailhead. We will hike the Garrison Road loop then the Nature Trail. Bring water and hiking sticks. This hike features the Arboretum, funded by a TTA Evan Means Grant. We will enjoy views of the Duck River, Blue Hole Falls and Big Falls. We will also visit Park’s group campsite. This hike precedes the Murfreesboro-Highland Rim Chapters Christmas Party & Potluck at Ada Wright Center, 328 N Woodland Street, Manchester. Please register for the hike with Margie Schumacher, (352)442-8949 or rs2msps@yahoo.com.
By Betsy Darken
Saturday, December 14 — Signal Mountain trails, up to three options: (1) long hike of 8-10 miles, moderate; (2) medium hike of around 4-5 miles, easy/moderate; (3) short 2.2-mile hike, 348’ el. gain, easy. A short shuttle is required for the medium hike. We will all start at the Rainbow Lake trailhead on Ohio Avenue and hike to Rainbow Lake and Bee Branch Loop Trail. Those wanting the short 2.2-mile hike can stay on Bee Branch Loop, circling back to Rainbow Lake and up to the Ohio Ave parking lot. The rest of the hikers will branch off Bee Branch Trail onto Orange Trail, followed by Orange-Yellow Trail heading north toward Edwards Point Road. A shuttle car can be parked on this road for medium hikers. Long hikers will continue onto the Yellow Trail and meander back via several trails to Rainbow Lake and the Ohio St. parking lot.
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.
Parking is limited at the trailhead, so please meet at 8:30 am ET for carpooling at Food City on Signal Mountain Road, in the near back corner of the parking lot. https://bit.ly/3pk0suY Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Betsy Darken, (423) 718-2060. Carpool: $2.00.
423 718 2060
By Betsy Darken
Tuesday, December 31 — Summit Knobs Trail, Harrison, TN, about 5 miles, easy, approximately 550’ elevation gain, in-and-out. This hike will take us up and down gentle wooded hills to Harrison Branch Creek. The full name of the trail is Summit Knobs Equestrian Trail—we’ll have to watch our step! Restrooms are available. The trailhead is located off Ferdinand Piech Way, which connects Highway 58 to Volkswagen Drive.
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 ET at the gravel parking area at the trailhead – address: 7966 Ferdinand Pierch Way Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Tim Booth, 423-400-2011.
(423) 400-2011
By Betsy Darken
Tuesday, December 17 – Tims Ford State Park Trails, Winchester TN, short hike 3.4 miles, easy, or longer hike, 7.2 miles, easy to moderate. We will combine the Marble Plains Overlook Trail, Marble Plains Loop Trail, and the Lost Creek Overlook Trail for a beautiful hike along the shores of Tims Ford Lake, through the forest, and across two suspension bridges. We will all hike the short hike, with longer hikers adding on the 3.8-mile Old Spann House Trail, which is a beautiful hike through the woods with a nice view of the lake. After the hike, we will grab lunch at Filo’s Tavern, a 15-minute drive from the trailhead.
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 parking lot beyond LaQuinta Inn, right (north) off I-24 Exit 175 (Brown’s Ferry Road) at 8:30 am ET. Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Jennifer Davis, (615) 617-2505 or jdavis327@gmail.com. Carpool cost $8.00.
(615) 617-2505