Pickett State Park & Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area Jamestown, TN
7 miles. Moderately strenuous for terrain, elevation change, and length.
Joint hike with the Highland Rim and Murfreesboro Chapters. This hike highlights spectacularly varied geologic features that include rock houses, arches, mesas, awesome overlooks, and one of the most picturesque small lakes in the state. Our route includes the Mesa Top, Upper Canyon, Moccasin Rock, Ridge, and Lake trails. Meet at the lake to shuttle to the Pogue Creek trailhead. Pack snacks, plenty of water, and a lunch. Wear footwear appropriate for rugged trail; you may want to bring bug spray, sunscreen, and hiking poles. Register with Mark for details and updates.
LONG HIKE: Starting from Bandy Creek hike to The Oscar Blevins Farm then out to the West Entrance where we’ll leave the long hikers cars for 6.2 easy to moderate miles. SHORT HIKE: 3.7 easy miles Oscar Blevins loop trail. Bring electrolyte water, lunch and snacks. Depart 7:30 AM CDST from the Crossville Cracker Barrel. Carpool cost is $6. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb, ttaplateauhikes68@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.
Since we can’t do any hikes off Divide Rd for the foreseeable future, we can hike from Leatherwood Ford, Bandy Creek or the West Entrance only. So Sat we can decide what trail we’d like to do or do the O&W Bridge hike. OPTION: WE CAN STOP AT SAWBRIER BREWERY FOR LATE LUNCH. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Bring water shoes, (electrolytes) water, lunch and a snack. Depart Crossville’s Cracker Barrel at 7:30am CDST. Carpool cost is $7.00. Contact Deb Westervelt, email ttaplateauhikes68@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243 for more info.
Long Hike: This is a moderately difficult 6.6 mile hike. Short Hike: 4 mi in/out from Natural Bridge to Devil’s Jump Overlook and back. The loop features two of the best river gorge overlooks in the Big South Fork area. Two other interesting features along the trail are the Devils Jump rapids and Crack-in-the-Rock. The trail passes through the Blue Heron coal mining exhibit. Depart from Landers Crossing formerly the Outlet Mall SW parking lot, at 7:30 am CDST. Carpool cost is $8. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack electrolyte water, snacks and lunch. Minors must be accompanied by an adult. Contact Deb Westervelt, email ttaplateauhikes68@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243 for more info.
Park Description: Five miles of hiking through forests and some open areas. Length of hike around 2-1/2 to 3 hours. There are restrooms at the trailhead. Drive past the new building being constructed to the parking lot with restrooms. We will start on a concrete path then cut off from it.
Clothing: Long pants are recommended. The trails are a work in process and some areas will have tall grass to walk through. Most trails are not included in trail map on website below. Because of the tall grass, insect repellant would be a good idea.
Meetup: if carpooling (meet at 8:00 AM) at Tollgate Medical Plaza (1106 Elliston Way, Thompson’s Station) or at 9:00 AM at Yanahli Park, Address: 922 Iron Bridge Road, Columbia, TN 38401. Chris Hoffman will meet hikers at Yanahli Park. Anyone choosing to meet at Tollgate, Chris will communicate who plans on meeting there. Lunch: To be determined in the Columbia area.
Hike Leader: Chris Hoffman, chrishoffman51@gmail.com