Black Mountain to Ozone Falls, 6.7 miles. Difficult due to steep climbs and descents. Requires a car shuttle. The trail is on natural turf through the woods. Trekking poles are recommended. You will see beautiful rock bluffs, huge gardens of cinnamon and glade ferns, wildflowers, and 110 foot Ozone Falls. Bring your lunch. Meet 7 a.m. CDT, I 24 Exit 11 new commuter parking lot ∽162 miles to trail head. Contact Paul Schwab 931-801-9484.
Wednesday Dunbar Cave SP, Long Trail, 2.5 miles, moderate. Most of the trail is on natural turf. There are a few concrete steps. Dogs are permitted if on a leash. The trail goes through pretty woods, passes sinkholes, limestone bedrock, a 15 acre Prairie Restoration Project and a 15 acre Lake. Trekking poles are recommended. Meet 9 a.m. CDT at the trail head picnic table. Contact Suva Bastin 931-645-2849.
Wednesday, May 31. Rotary Park, Clarksville. 3 miles. Easy to Moderate. The trail mostly winds through wooded areas with some roots and hills. Hiking poles recommended. Dogs on leash are welcome. There are restrooms at the Nature Center. Meet at the Glenbrook Kroger Parking lot a little before 9:00 AM to carpool or caravan. We will leave Glenbrook Kroger at 9:00 AM. If meeting at the trailhead at 10:00 AM, call or text Ron at 615-483-3774 or Judy Jenkins at 615-403-0002.
Wednesday, May 24. Buggytop trail/ Lost Cove Cave/ Sherwood Forest trail, South Cumberland State Park. Buggytop to Lost Cove cave in & out including walking through the cave will be 4.0 miles, moderately challenging due to trail & 900 foot elevation. The trail will take us through the cave, so lights will be needed, preferably a headlamp. No crawling or climbing is required to explore cave. Then we will travel to Sherwood Forest trailhead, a 2.7-mile loop, considered easy. A permit must be obtained by the hiker from South Cumberland State Park to enter the cave. To obtain a permit, hikers will go to the South Cumberland State Park Homepage. Then click on activities. Under activities, click on Learn More. Then find Buggytop Cave and click on More Information. In the narrative, click on the link that says, “please fill out registration form” and fill the form out. Lunch will be between the hikes. Bring lunch, snacks, water, hiking poles and a light. Those carpooling or caravanning, meet in Gallatin beside the Gallatin Chick-fil-a in front of Walmart at 8:00 a.m. or the Buggytop trailhead (35.11517, -85.92524) at 10:00 a.m. If meeting at the trailhead or for additional information, contact Wayne Drown at wetdrown@bellsouth.net or call or text 803-646-0972.
Friday-Sunday, June 23-25 – Fort Mountain State Park, Chatsworth, Georgia. Camping Friday and Saturday. Hiking the Gahuti Trail Saturday morning. 8 mile loop, moderate. Contact Joan Hartvigsen for space in reserved campsites jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914.
Joint hike with Upper-Cumberland Chapter. Long Hike: This is a 7 mile thru hike. Moderate trail mostly downhill, sometimes difficult footing from rocks, with many overlooks and interesting rock formations, including the “Devil’s Racetrack” plus many waterfalls to the Bruce GapTH. Short Hike: From the Eagle Bluff Trailhead hike up the trail along the ridgeline to the Eagle Bluff Pinnacle for a 4 mi out/back moderate hike. Depart 7:30 am CDST from the SW parking lot at the Outlet Mall, Interstate Dr, Crossville, TN. Wear orange. Carpool gas cost is $8. Bring your lunch, plenty of (electrolytes) water and a good pair of hiking shoes or boots. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb text/call 931-267-2243.