Hike

Saturday, March 23 — Rock Island State Park: Collins River Nature Trail, Eagle Trail (with Blue Hole Trail), & Bluff Trail (with optional Downstream Trail), approximately 6.5 to 8 miles, about 680’ el. gain, easy to moderate. This is a joint hike with the Scenic City Chapter, Tim Booth.   This park is located at the confluence of the Collins and Caney Fork Rivers. We will spend the day exploring several short hikes and enjoying the various picturesque views including an impressive limestone gorge and several waterfalls and overlooks. Most notably, we will see the Great Falls, Twin Falls and Blue Hole, all from streams flowing out of the cliffs. You don’t want to miss this one!  Wear hiking shoes or boots; bring food and water; and gather up hiking poles, rain jacket, and sunscreen as needed.  Meet at the Visitor Center at 8:30 am CT.  Register with Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914.

Tuesday, March 19 – Little Cedar Mountain Trail, TVA Small Wild Area, TVA Road, Jasper, TN.  3.2 miles loop, easy.  400 ft. elevation gain.  This trail hugs the western shoreline of the Tennessee River/Nickajack Lake as the tail-end of Walden Ridge is broken up in the Tennessee River Gorge and blends into the Sequatchie Valley.  We will see many interesting rock formations, early spring wildlowers and  overlooks of the beautiful Tennessee River.  Bring water and snacks.  Directions: take Exit 158 on I-24 about 25 miles west of Chattanooga and turn left.  Register with hike leader Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914. Meet at the trailhead at 8:00 am CT.

Sunday, March 17 – Boiling Fork Trail, Tims Ford State Park, 129 Fairview Campground Road, Winchester, TN.  Three mile Loop, easy.  This hike features many nice views of Tims Ford Lake, Devils Step Island and mature hardwood trees.  We will meet at 1:00 pm at the trailhead located in front of the entrance to Fairview Campground.  Bring water and lunch.  Register with Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914.

Saturday, March 9 – Prater Place and Hemlock Falls Trail, Fall Creek Falls State Park, Spencer, TN.  6 miles out and back.  Moderate due to some rocky areas and creek crossings. Total elevation gain of 649 ft.    This trail has everything:  waterfalls, rock formations, caves, creeks, early spring wildflowers.  This is one of the newer Fall Creek Falls State Park trails.  It is located outside of the park’s north entrance just off Hwy 30 on Hwy 285 in Van Buren County.  Bring water and lunch.  Consider bringing water shoes.  Register with hike leader Joan Hartvigsen, 931-636-2914  or jhartvigs@comcast.net. Meet at the trailhead at 8:30 CT.

Saturday, March 2 – Short Springs State Natural Area Work Day.  Meet at 8:00 am at the Short Springs Natural Area parking lot, 2250 Short Springs Road, Tullahoma.  The tasks include re-anchor some steps, dig out stobs, cut away deadfalls, cut away brush..  Bring water, work gloves, pruners and clippers and trail building tools.   Please register with Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914.