Friday April 19-Sunday April 21 – 20th Anniversary Trails & Trilliums Naturalist Rally. Beersheba Springs, adjacent to Savage Gulf State Park and Stone Door. Guided hikes, presentations and workshops by top Naturalists and Rangers. For more information contact Marietta Poteet, nannietta@benlomand.net or 931-924-7666.
Monday, January 1 – Multi- Chapter New Years Day Hike, Bryant Grove Trail. Long Hunter State Park. The Bryant Grove Trail is an easy eight mile “out and back” flat, winding trail connecting the Couchville Lake area to the Bryant Grove Recreation Area and follows the shoreline of Percy Priest Lake. The trail crosses a wooden bridge above Bryant Grove Creek, where heron might be seen wading and feeding. We will meet at 9:30 am CT at the kiosk near the playground in the Couchville Lake area. We will enjoy lunch in the Bryant Grove Recreation Area. Bring lunch, water, and snacks. Please register with Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.netor 931-636-2914. Pets are not permitted on the Bryant Grove Trail.
Saturday, December 2 – Sherwood Forest State Natural Area. Sewanee. 3-mile loop rated easy. This hike offers great views, beautiful forests and interesting geologic features. After the hike we will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Meet at 9:00 A.M. CT at the trailhead. Directions to trailhead: Take Exit 134 off Interstate 24, turn left toward Sewanee for 3.1 miles. Turn left on Hwy 156 and continue 8.5 miles. Turn right on Old CCC Road and continue 2 miles to the parking area located at the end of the road. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Sunday, December 17 – Short Springs State Natural Area. Tullahoma. Busby Falls Loop, Laurel Bluff Loop, Connector Trail, Adams Falls Loop. 3.6 miles, total. Moderate. We will also visit the Machine Falls Overlook Deck. Meet at 1:00 PM CST at the Short Springs parking lot, 2250 Short Springs Road, Tullahoma. Bring water and a snack. Please register with Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914.
Thursday, December 14 – Sewanee Perimeter Trail, The University of the South, Sewanee. 12 miles, moderate. On Dec. 14, Marietta Poteet will lead a hike on the Perimeter Trail which will be 12 miles in distance. We will meet at Lake Cheston and hike to the Water Tower Trail to hook up with the Perimeter Trail. We’ll have 9 miles on the Perimeter Trail, then weave in and out the Fire Lanes and the Parallel Trail. This is a great hike to the back of the Perimeter Trail which is not often used. The trail will be rated moderate but may be difficult due to the mileage. Please call or email Marietta at nannietta@benlomand. or 931-924-7666. We have been getting a lot of telemarketing calls so I will not answer the phone, but you can leave a message and I will get back to you.
Saturday, December 9 — Gilbert Gaul Loop, Fall Creek Falls State Park, 4.5 miles loop, easy to moderate, 100 feet elevation gain. There will also be an optional exploratory hike to Woodcock Cove climbing trails above Dunlap, around 3-5 miles, with one short but steep section. Group outing with Scenic City Chapter, Betsy Darken. The first hike on the Gilbert Gaul Loop has rolling hills, with half of the loop through the woods. On the return, the trail parallels the shore of beautiful Fall Creek Lake with several good views. Bring water and snacks. Meet at the Gilbert Gaul trailhead at 8:30 am CT. Please register with hike leader Joan Hartvigsen, 931-962-0811 or jhartvigs@comcast.net. Directions to Gilbert Gaul Loop Trailhead inside Fall Creek Falls State Park: follow the signs for Lodge/Restaurant and Piney Creek Camp. Before reaching the Lodge, turn right on Piney Creek Camp road and follow it to the end of the road and trailhead.