Hike

Saturday, July 27 – Window Cliffs State Natural Area. Baxter. 5.5 miles round trip. Moderate. Joint hike with the Murfreesboro Chapter.  Window Cliffs State Natural Area is located approximately 18 miles south of Cookeville near Burgess Falls State Park. There is a bluff that separates the upstream and downstream parts of Cane Creek, and the bluff has eroded from both sides causing an opening to develop, which is how the name “Window Cliffs” came about. There are several creek crossings over Cane Creek. Hiking boots are recommended, and a pair of water shoes is suggested for the water crossings. Pets are not permitted within the state natural area. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com. 

Thursday, July 25 –  Bear Creek Backcountry Trail, Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA.  7.5 miles, 1300 foot elevation gain, rated challenging due to some steep inclines and a creek crossing.  The trail starts flat with meadow and lake views but eventually switchbacks steeply down through the forest to a beautiful Bear Creek crossing. Unless there is heavy rain it should be easy to rock hop with summer water levels.  The trail then follows Bear Creek for the first half of a big loop through the forest, which is mostly flat except for a series of steep inclines about halfway around the loop.  Bring lunch and plenty of water, sturdy hiking boots and poles. We will meet at the Visitor Center at 10 am EDT where there are restrooms, and we’ll caravan to the trailhead.  Cloudland Canyon State Park charges a $5 parking fee.  To register or for more information contact Jim Barritt, jsbarritt@gmail.com or 931-492-3212.

Saturday, July 20 – Grundy Forest, Sycamore Falls and Fiery Gizzard Loop, Tracy City.  Three miles, moderate.  Hike through beautiful Hemlocks and hardwood trees along cascading Fiery Gizzard Creek.  On the way to admire Sycamore Falls we will see Chimney Rocks.  We will also stroll through historic CCC camp.  Wear sturdy boots and bring hiking poles.  Bring a picnic lunch to eat at the trailhead after the hike.  Contact Patty Deen to register or for more information, pdeen@palomar.edu or 760-703-8115.  Meet at the Grundy Forest Day Loop trailhead at 8:30 am CDT.  The trailhead address is 131 Fiery Gizzard Road, Tracy City, TN.

Monday, July 15 – Old Spann House Trail Hike.  3.8 mile loop, easy to moderate, Tims Ford State Park, Winchester, TN.  Meet at 4pm CDT in the Visitor Center parking lot; be ready to step off right on time! Our hike features rolling hills through a pine and hardwood forest and overlooks of beautiful Tims Ford Lake. Although the entire trail is shaded, it will be hot, so bring water.

Contact Patty Deen to register and for more information, pdeen@palomar.edu or 760-703-8115.  After the hike, at 6pm we will have grilled hotdogs and a potluck dinner followed by a talk from a Tims Ford State Park Ranger.