Monday -Thursday: June 7-10 – Camping in Mile High Campground and hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and trails off Blue Ridge Parkway. Maggie Valley, NC. Possible hikes include Hemphill Bald, Caldwell Fork, Rough Fork Trails Loop in the Smokies and Black Balsam Knob Trail, Art Loeb Loop and other hikes in Shining Rock Wilderness. More details later. Contact Joan Hartvigsen, email jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-962–0811 to save a spot in the reserved campsite.
McGregor Park Cumberland Riverwalk Pavilion to the Red River East portion of the Clarksville Greenway, out and back. 2 total miles. Easy. Philip Anderson 931-561-0925. Meet 9:30 am CT, McGregor Park Cumberland Riverwalk Pavilion. This is where the flags are.
Short Hike: This is a moderate 5 mile in/out hike from the upper parking lot thru the woods to a point overlooking the merger of two rivers. Long Hike: 8 mi moderate. From the bridge parking area we’ll climb to Lilly Bluff Overlook then out the Point trail to another Overlook. We can add the below the bluff trail before retracing our steps to wander thru a giant boulder field. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Depart VF Outlet mall West parking lot on Interstate Dr, Crossville at 8am CT. Gas cost $4.00. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.
The park is located on the western bank of Kentucky Lake. Within the park is the Tennessee River Folklife Center and Pilot Knob, one of the highest points in West Tennessee, standing 665 feet above sea level. The fertile ridges of this area abound in hardwoods and beneath them a wide variety of ferns, mosses, shrubs and wildflowers. We will hike the 10 mile moderate,“red” trail which is described as being a “good day trail of moderate difficulty.” The Lake is visible from the trail for the first mile or so, after which it descends, ascends and crosses ridges, hollows, streams and hillsides. Wear sturdy hiking boots and bring snacks, water, and lunch. For more information and to register contact Doug Burroughs.
Doug Burroughs
(615) 587-0085
dougburroughs@tennessee.usa.com
photo credit: NBFSP Camden TN 38 Log Cabin cropped Thomas R Machnitzki CC BY-SA 3.0
Devil’s Backbone is a 950-acre natural area in Lewis County. Devil’s Backbone offers a visitor the opportunity for a quiet hike adjacent the Natchez Trace Parkway. The trail follows the ridges of Tennessee’s Highland Rim and drops down along a creek into a hollow and back again along the ridge. The approximately three mile trail is a moderately strenuous loop with about 200 feet of elevation change.
Jackson Falls is a 0.4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Duck River, Tennessee that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate.
Burns Branch to Tennessee Divide is a 2.8 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Thompson’s Station, Tennessee that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels.
We will meet at Devil’s Backbone State Natural Area, located near Hohenwald on the Natchez Trace Parkway. From Nashville, head southwest on the Parkway to mile marker 394 where a large sign points to the parking area. From Highway 412, head northeast on the Natchez Trace for about 3 miles, the entrance is on the left. After hiking the Devil’s Backbone we will head north for a stop at Jackson Falls (mile marker 404.7) and finally we’ll end our three part outing at Burns Branch (mile marker 425.4). You may do all or part of this outing. Hiker’s choice! To register and for more information call or email Nancy Juodenas.
Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this is one of the most scenic parks in Georgia, offering rugged geology and beautiful vistas. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek with elevations from 800 to 1,980 feet. Short Hike: 5 mile moderate to strenuous loop hike on West Rim and Waterfall trail. Long Hike: This is a moderate to strenuous 8 total mile hike. The hike is along the West Rim and Waterfalls Trail and includes a 600-step staircase on the way to two waterfalls cascading over layers of sandstone and shale into pools below. Plus the 3 mile Overlook Trail in/out. The driving time from Crossville is a little over 2 hours. Gas cost $9. Bring water, lunch, and snacks. Depart 7:30 AM CT from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S Main St, Crossville, TN. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.