Wednesday, July 26, 2017, Hike -- Hall Bend Trail-Tellico

This new trail for our chapter is a 5 mile loop located near Louden, TN. Hall Bend Trail is part of the 30-acre Hall Bend Small Wild Area owner by TVA. This trail is very accessible with parking areas and trailheads on either end. The upper portion of the trail is longer with the northernmost portion of the trail being more technical with smaller trails and more elevation changes. There are several scenic overlooks of Tellico Reservoir and even the Smoky Mountains.   Wildbirds such as loons, grebes, ducks, bald eagles and osprey. Plants species include little bluestem grass, orange coneflower, asters, yucca, Eastern red cedar and several hardwoods. The trail follows several paths along Lake Tellico. The trail is scenic with interpretive information along the path. Trail is rated easy. Carpool cost $6. Depart the Crossville Outlet Center at 7:30am CT.

Wednesday, August 2, 2017, Hike -- Fairfield Glade Overlook, Seven Bridges, Lakeview Trails

This compiliation of trails give us 4.5 easy to moderate miles in Fairfield Glade. Bring snacks and water.  Non Fairfield Glade hikers will meet and carpool from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot at 7:30am CT to the Peavine/Stonehenge Rds 4-way stop to meet up with the Fairfield resident hikers.  We will depart the 4-way for the hikes at 7:45am CT.  Carpool cost is $1.  For more information or to sign up contact Deb Westervelt, ctngrams@gmail.com 931-267-2243.

Wednesday, August 9, 2017, Hike -- CT Obed Section

Rock Creek Campground to Alley Ford (sandy beach area) and back for 5 mi, OR continue on to Breakaway Bluff (elevation 1225') and back for 8.4 mi through house sized boulders, an old strip mine, rock shelters, steep bluffs and the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Depart from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot at 7:30am CT. Bring lunch, snacks and water. Carpool cost is $5. For more information or to sign up contact Deb Westervelt, ctngrams@gmail.com 931-267-2243, OR Bruce Whitehead trailwalker80@gmail.com, 941-716-3620.

Thursday, August 10, 2017 -- Chapter Meeting

Time: 6:00pm CT
Program: John Wigginton's AT Hike
Location: First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street, Crossville
Dinner: 5:00pm CT at LaCosta's Restaurant, 138 The Crossings, Crossville
Contact: Chapter Chair, Cheryl Heckler at thehecklers@charter.net, or 931-200-7436 for additional information.

Saturday, Aug 12, 2017, Hike -- BSF Honey Creek Loop

This is a moderate to strenuous 5.7 mile hike among fabulous rock cliffs, waterfall and a cave. One of the top scenic hikes in BSF. Depart from Cracker Barrel back parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost is $7. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For more information and to register contact Cheryl Heckler at thehecklers@charter.net or 931-200-7436.

Wednesday, August 16, 2017, Hiking/Rafting in Hartford, TN

Note:  You must sign up and pay (cash or check) for the Raft Trip no later than 4:00pm CT 10 August.  We will first hike the Big Creek section of the Great Smokey Mountains. Big Creek Trail follows an old railroad grade used to haul lumber out of the mountains during the logging boom at the start of the 20th century. The 4-mile roundtrip hike to the waterfall is considered moderate in difficulty. At 1.4 miles the trail passes Midnight Hole, a deep, picturesque pool below a 6' falls. At 2.1 miles a short side trail on the left leads to a bench where hikers can rest and view Mouse Creek Falls, which is on the far side of Big Creek. The falls are 45' in height. To get to the Big Creek Trailhead take I-40 Exit #451 turn left on Waterville Road after crossing the Pigeon River and proceed 2.3 miles to an intersection. Continue straight (the road is now Big Creek Entrance Rd) past the ranger station, to a large parking area at road's end. Rafting cost is $25.00 per person and will be collected at the Aug 10^th Chapter Meeting or turn your money in prior to the meeting. Our Big Creek Expeditions raft time is 2:30pm ET. The outpost is less than a mile from I-40 on the left side of the road. Rafters must have shoes that will stay on...tennis shoes, water shoes, chacos, etc...no flip flops. There are showers if people want to shower when they get off the river. Depart from Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot at 7:15am CT. Carpool cost is $11. Pack water, snacks, lunch and extra clothes. For information and to sign up for the raft trip contact Diane Vaughn at 931-267-7668, or email diane.vaughn@southeasted.com no later than 4:00pm CT 10 August.

Wednesday, August 23, 2017, Hike -- CT Catoosa Section

Hike from the bridge at Devils Breakfast Table going South to waterfall, overlook, to the end of the trail, and back for 5-6 moderate miles. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Carpool cost is $2. Non-Fairfield Glade hikers will depart and carpool from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot at 7:30am CT to the Peavine/Stonehenge Roads 4-way stop to meet up with the Fairfield resident hikers. We will depart the 4-way stop for the hike at 7:45am CT.  For more information or to sign up contact Deb Westervelt, ctngrams@gmail.com 931-267-2243.

Saturday, August 26, 2017, Hike -- Smokies-Gabes Mountain Trail

This is moderate in and out 6-7 mile hike crossing several streams on foot logs to Hen Wallow Falls. Bring water shoes just in case. The trail passes many home-sites and rock piles, a side trail leads to two former chimneys. The M.A. Ramsay 73 acre farmstead is not far from here. A short steep spur trail goes to the base of the falls where there are rocks to sit on for lunch. At Lower Falling Branch is a series of cascades. To the right of the main cascade is a wet cave. Depart from Crossville Outlet Center west parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost is $10. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For more information and to register contact Cheryl Heckler at thehecklers@charter.net or 931-200-7436.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017, Hike/Maintenance -- CT Grassy Cove Section

We will hike, install trail blazes, and do light maintenance over Brady Mountain from Jewett Rd to HY 68 one way for 7.8 moderate miles. Car shuttle is required. For those wanting a shorter hike (drivers?) may either hike 2.3 mi to the Brady Bluff overlook from HY68 or Black Mt, across the road, to the Windless Cave and back. Depart from the Trinity Tabernacle on  Rt 127 south at 7:30am CT.  Bring clippers, hand saw, lunch, snacks and water. Carpool cost is $3. For more information or to sign up contact Deb Westervelt, ctngrams@gmail.com 931-267-2243.

*****************************************************
* COMPLETED HIKES with PHOTOS (SEE BELOW)    *
*****************************************************