TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

AUGUST PLANNED HIKES - Harry's Picks

AUG 1 – Cardwell Mountain, McMinnville, Tn

Cardwell Mountain is a detached piece of the Cumberland Plateau that rises 1000 feet above the scenic Collins River. A part of the historic Trail of Tears, the trail climbs to the massive bluffs and boulders atop the mountain. It is a 5.5 mile loop hike rated moderate to difficult. Depart from Tractor Supply at 8:00 am CT. Carpool is $7. Bring lunch, water and snacks. For additional information and contact Bruce Whitehead at trailwalker80@Gmail.com.

Aug 4 – Big South Fork, Stearns, Ky.

We will hike in and out to Bear Creek Overlook .6 mi and Split Bow Arch .8 mi then hike Bear Creek Loop Trail along the Big South Fork Cumberland River for approx 2 mi before retracing our steps for 5.5 moderate mi in total. Depart 7:30 am CDST from the Crossville Outlet Mall. Carpool cost is $10. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

AUG 8 – O&W Bridge / Devil's Den in Big South Fork, Jamestown, TN

This is a 5-6 mile moderate to difficult hike with a strenuous 1/2 mile ascent to Devil's Den. Depart Cracker Barrel at 7:30 am CDST. Gas cost $7. Bring water, lunch and snacks. For additional information contact Bruce Whitehead at trailwalker80@Gmail.com.

Aug 9 - Plateau Chapter Meeting 6pm CT at First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street, Crossville. Program will be on Camp Ozone by Brent Woodward. Join us for dinner beforehand at 5pm CT at Bootleggers Bar and Grill, 287 HY 70 E (across from Big John’s BBQ). Contact Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620 or email plateau@tennesseetrails.org if you intend to join us for dinner.

Aug 11 – CT Daddys Creek Section - Crab Orchard, TN Hike is 7.5 moderate miles through the woods passing a rock house and walking along Daddys Creek. The southern trailhead on Hebbertsburg Road is near the TVA power lines to the trailhead at East Keyes Road. There is an elevation change of 324 feet. This hike will require a 8 mi car shuttle.

Depart at 7:30 am CDST from the Crossville Outlet Mall. Carpool cost $2. For additional information, contact Bruce Whitehead at trailwalker80@Gmail.com or Cheryl Heckler at thehecklers@charternet.net.

AUG 15 – Rock Island State Park, Rock Island, TN Collins River Loop Trail for an easy 2.7 mi then 1.4 mi on Eagle Trail to the Blue Hole then drive to the other side of the river and hike another mile or so on the upstream and/or the downstream trails. Bring lunch and water. If the group wants we can stop at RI gas station restaurant for dessert after the hikes. Depart Tractor Supply at 7:30 am CDST. Carpool cost is $4. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org .

AUG 22 – Scott’s Gulf, DeRossett, TN. Welch's Overlook, Joe Holloway Rockhouse, and Yellow Bluff trail for 4-5 moderate hiking miles. Bring lunch, water and snacks. Depart from Tractor Supply at 8:00 am CT. Carpool cost is $3. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

AUG 29 – Big South Fork, Jamestown, TN. The Rock Creek Loop is a 7 mile moderate hike. The hike follows Rock Creek and an old railroad bed. We depart Cracker Barrel at 7:30 am CDST. Carpool cost is $7. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

WELCOMES ALL HIKERS

NOTE 1: Check Blog the Evening Before hikes and/or Early Morning on hike day; It May Be Necessary To Change/Cancel some hikes.

NOTE 2: Hike Information - contact Deb Westervelt at plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267- 2243.

Hiking Rules & Information

Leadership—Wednesday hikes are leaderless. Unless otherwise announced there are usually hikers familiar with each hike, so we rarely get lost. But each hiker is responsible for his own safety, maintaining contact with the rest of the group, etc.

Hike Difficulty—Hikes typically range from 5-10 miles. There is usually a lot of elevation change and rugged terrain. Neighborhood walkers and inexperienced hikers will find nearly all our hikes difficult. More experienced hikers accustomed to climbs of thousands of feet in the Smoky’s would place most of our hikes in the moderate to difficult class.

Hazard—Hiking is not “a walk in the park”. Hazards exist on all our hikes. They range from high cliffs, steep rock scrambles, falling icicles, stream crossings, just to name a few. These hazards are so commonplace they are rarely mentioned in the trail descriptions.

Supplies and Equipment---Hiking boots are recommended for all our hikes. Several of our hikers wear snake proof gaiters. We have lunch on the trail. Drinking water is mandatory to prevent dehydration, leg cramps and other complications. Failure to bring adequate food and water is a hazard and an imposition on other hikers. Other discretionary items include compass, pocket knife, first aid supplies, etc.

Gasoline reimbursement---We car pool to trailheads typically a half hour to 2 1/2 hours from Crossville. Riders are expected to pay for the gasoline. Drivers incur wear and tear on the vehicle and risk that it may be damaged. Since the riders’ contribution varies with mileage and gas price, cost is decided before each hike, and indicated on the Blog. (Typical gas costs vary from $2 to $12 per person depending on driving distance.) Please bring extra shoes to avoid tracking mud into vehicles.

Trail etiquette---Experience has taught us that bad things happen when individuals separate from the group. Time and energy is expended looking for separated hikers even if it turns out they have not missed a turn. Therefore, each hiker should maintain eye contact with at least one other hiker. Small goups should maintain eye contact with the rest of the group. At least one hiker from the main group needs to be informed of bathroom breaks and other delays so that individuals don’t get separated. The group doesn’t split up unless there are extraordinary circumstances (eg, worn out hikers take a short cut). Under those circumstances there must be at least two hikers in each group and a clear understanding of the obligations of each group for driving arrangements or waiting at the trailhead.

Hike Pace---We normally hike around 2.5 mph depending on terrain. Practical experience indicates that this pace keeps us together pretty well. However, individual preferences vary with respect to desired time spent at a waterfall or other scenic highlight. There is no silver bullet for resolving these differences other than courtesy. Photographers and others who want to take a closer look need to be sensitive to the will of the majority as do the get-down-to business hikers. Since we spend a lot of energy and time to see sights that can not be seen from a car, ties should be broken in favor of the sightseers.

Liability---Bad things can happen on hike: auto accidents,injury,equipment damage or failure, etc. Our group does not assume any collective or individual liability for any such mishaps. Each hiker is individually responsible for his own safety.

Punctuality---Zero tolerance. We leave the car pool location promptly at the time announced on the Blog.

Hunting season---Hike plans are formulated to avoid the worst of the hunting hazards but, we cannot avoid all exposure to hunters. Therefore it is each hikers responsibility to dress in blaze orange or other bright,visible clothing during hunting season.

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