Hike

Rotary Park, Clarksville, 3.5 or 5.25 mile loop, moderate. You have the opportunity to exit after 3.5 miles. Most of the trail is on natural turf in the woods. It is curvy with many short ups and downs. You follow pretty Wall Creek part of the way. There is a creek crossing that is hard to do without getting your feet wet when the creek is up. Trekking poles are recommended. Dogs are welcome if on a leash. There is a restroom at the trail head and another near the end of the trail. Start hiking 8 a.m. CT, from the first shelter on left after entering park. Contact Steve Turner 931-220-0927.

LBL, Hematite Lake Trail 2.2 miles, Honker Lake Trail 4.3 miles, moderate. Hematite Lake Trail circles the 83.6 acre Hematite Lake. The lake was named for iron ore that was once mined here. The trail is in a woods with large trees. You may see cranes, beavers, frogs, squirrels and turtles. Honker Lake Trail circles the 180 acre Honker Lake named after Canadian Geese. The lake was built in the 1930s by the CCC Corps as a waterfowl refuge. The trail is on natural turf, and most of it is in the woods. Honker Lake is home to beaver, otters, Canadian geese, osprey and many fish species. Restrooms are available near both trail heads. Leave 7 a.m, CT, Kroger parking area, Dover Crossing Road, Clarksville; ∼69 miles to trail head. Contact Philip Anderson 931-561-0925.

Wednesday McGregor Park Cumberland Riverwalk Pavilion, out and back, to Ft. Defiance, 2.7 total miles, easy. We can eat lunch after the hike at Wendy’s; The whole hike is paved. We walk along both the Cumberland and Red Rivers, cross the Red River on a highway sidewalk and hike up switchbacks through the woods to the Fort’s museum. There are a couple of vistas overlooking downtown Clarksville and a few Civil War cannons along the way. Dogs are permitted if on a leash. The museum has bathrooms, exhibits and a short video. Start walking at 9 a.m. CDT from McGregor Park Cumberland Riverwalk Pavilion. This is where the flags are. Contact Suva Bastin 931-645-2849.