Half Day Hike

Tuesday, November 12: Fenton Forest on Bauxite Ridge, near Ooltewah TN: Sabbath Trail, Forest Lane and Big Forest Trail, about 4 miles, easy to moderate, loop, approx. 400’ el. gain. This is a great hike for beginners or those who have not hiked with us for a while (and even those who have!). We will start on the Sabbath Trail loop (1.9 miles) proceeding clockwise, enjoying a casual walk in the woods with a wide path, a relatively flat terrain, a few streams with footbridges, benches to relax on, and views of open pastures. We will then make our way over to the rockier Forest Lane trail (0.9 miles) proceeding counterclockwise and enjoying more views of the wooded area. Our final hike will be on the Big Forest Trail (0.8 miles), then making our way back to the main trailhead.

Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts can change dramatically. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and /or lunch along with more water than you think you need; use insect repellant, gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket, as needed.

For carpooling/ caravanning, meet in parking area near the gas station at Food City in Ooltewah, east (right) off I-75 exit 11, at 8:30 am ET. https://bit.ly/3dwmbxn  Register with hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Tim Booth, 423-400-2011. Carpool cost: $1.00.

Tuesday, October 29 — Chattanooga National Cemetery History Walk, 3 to 5 miles, easy, pavement and grass, some climbing is required. This property was vital to the battles for Chattanooga. Due to its location between Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, General U. S. Grant chose it for his headquarters. We will see many monuments recognizing our veterans from the Civil War to current times. We will pay our respects to National Medal of Honor recipients, two of the Chattanooga Fallen Five from the attack in 2016, and even German prisoners of war. We are asked to be respectful and flexible in our route as a burial may be occurring. Our guide will tell us the history of the area and of many of those interred. Bring water but picnicking is not allowed. However, it is a short drive to Main Street with its many eateries. Meet at 8:30 am ET at the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Avenue with entrance around the corner on South Holtzclaw Ave. Upon entering the cemetery gates, bear to the right and park just past the Administration Building. We may have to move cars to other parking areas after we check in. Register with hike leader Ginny Kidd at 423 304-3799. Carpool cost $0.00.

Tuesday, October 22 — Johns Mountain and Pinhoti Loop Trail, 5.0 miles, moderate, 1,023’ el. gain. This trail is part of the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. As we hike along this beautiful trail, we will reach the top of the mountain ridge at the Johns Mountain Lookout Tower. Enjoy our walk along this ridge, with its stunning views and (we hope) fall colors. We will also take in Keown Falls, not once but twice, assuming we have had some rain. Watch out! We may get wet as we walk under the falls. Check the weather forecast within a day of the hike, as earlier forecasts often change dramatically. Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks and/or lunch along with more water than you think you need; use insect repellent; gather up hiking poles, sunscreen, and rain jacket as needed. For carpooling/caravanning, meet at 8:30 am ET at Wendy’s, 6727 Ringgold Rd., left (east) off I-75 Exit 1. Please register with hike leader Tim Booth (423) 400-2011. Carpool cost $3.00.

Tuesday, October 8 — Sewanee Perimeter Trail from the Memorial Cross to Bridal Veil Falls, moderate, in and out, 4.6 miles, el. gain 672’. Longer option: continue past the falls to the intersection with Lake Cheston trail for a total of 6.2 miles. Most of the gain is on the return. The trail is scenic with no long steep sections, rolling up and down through the forest with one foot crossing over a creek. If water conditions are good, there will be a second waterfall as well as cascades. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot just beyond LaQuinta Inn, to the north off I-24 Exit 175 (Brown’s Ferry Road), https://bit.ly/3QITAD4  Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Jennifer Davis, (615) 617-2505 or jdavis327@gmail.com.

Tuesday, October 1 — Window Cliffs Trail REPLACED due to wet and muddy conditions. REPLACEMENT: West Rim Trail, Cloudland Canyon State Park GA near Trenton, 4.7 miles, 744’ el. gain with a few short steep climbs, moderate. The path of Hurricane Helene veered mostly east of us, so the park is open. The weather will be great, partly sunny, temperatures in the low 60’s to low 80’s, 11 percent chance of rain. This great trail has many beautiful overlooks into the canyon and we can expect some fine fall colors. We should see at least one waterfall cascading into the canyon. Finally! On the downside, expect some mud. We may also walk a little further to the main overlook. Eager beavers may want to take the many many stairs down to Hemlock and Cherokee Falls. Check the weather forecast and choose appropriate layers; wear hiking shoes or boots; bring snacks along with more water than you think you need; gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, sunscreen, and insect repellent as needed. Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the parking lot just beyond LaQuinta Inn, to the north off I-24 Exit 175 (Brown’s Ferry Road), https://bit.ly/3QITAD4  Register with the hike leader (required for all Scenic City hikes): Jennifer Davis, (615) 617-2505 or jdavis327@gmail.com. Carpool cost: $2.00.