Pictures from the Fiery Gizzard hike

 

 

DECEMBER SCHEDULED HIKES -

Wed Dec 12 - Big South Fork, Jamestown, TN.  Slaves Falls/Needle Arch Loop - The hike leaves the Sawmill trailhead and descends to the upper Mill Creek drainage into a forest. It passes above slaves Falls. The hike leaves the loop and follows a spur along a bluff line to see the Slave Falls, then backtracks to reach Needle Arch. Then continues around a bluff line and returns to Slave Falls. The hike finally rejoins the Slave Falls loop, travels through woodlands, to visit the Indian Dome Rock House. Rated moderate. Distance 5.7 miles with 2 spurs.   Depart 8:00 AM CT from the Cracker Barrel HY 127 N at I-40 SW corner of back parking lot. Carpool cost is $6.  Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243.

Sat Dec 15 - Lost Cove to Virgin Falls.  We'll take the new trail which is 4.5 mi North to the falls.  I'll assume it is moderate to strenuous for the 9 mi round trip.  Depart 8:00 AM CT from Tractor Supply. Carpool cost is $6. Bring water, lunch and snacks.  information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243.

Wed Dec 19 - CT Possum Creek Gorge Section, Heiss Mountain, Graysville, TN.  This scenic 8.8 mile hike from the Retro Hughes Trailhead going South on the Cumberland Trail to Imodium Falls, and back. We'll follow Coalbank Branch to waterfalls, overlooks, an abandoned coal mine, bluff lines, and steam crossings. Rated strenuous due to length and elevation changes. Shorter hike option: 6 mile in/out to the junction of Coalbank Branch and Hughes Branch. Wear boots, bring lunch, water and snacks. Depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church, Rt 127 South, in Crossville at 8:00am CT. Carpool cost is $6.  Pack water and snack.  For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243.

Mon Dec 31- Pickett State Park.  Hike into the New Year.  Kick off the New Year right with a night of astronomy and hiking. The Friends of Pickett State Park will have a 9pm CT potluck dinner at the Group Camp. There will also be an astronomy program in the ball field behind the Group Camp. At 11:00PM, we will hike our way into 2019! This hike will be an easy 2 mile round-trip hike to Crystal Falls  and all ages are welcome!  Register for this event at the following link https://tnstateparks.com/parks/event_details/pickett/#/?event=new-years-eve-hike-PSP-2019.  Then notify Deb that you plan to go. We'll Depart 8:00 pm CT from the Cracker Barrel HY 127 N at I-40 SW corner of back parking lot. Carpool cost is $6. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243.

JANUARY SCHEDULED HIKES -

Wed  Jan 2 - ***CT Brady Mountain Section, Grassy Cove, TN.  Long hike: The Brady Mountain hike is approximately 5.4 moderate, sometimes strenuous (first half mile is steep grade up) miles with a 1,000 foot altitude change. The hike includes nice overlooks, rock formations, and a small arch. Short hike:  For those wanting an easier hike, walk across HY 68 to the Black Mountain trail head and hike 2.1 miles to Windless Cave and back for 4.2 total mi.  Depart Trinity Tabernacle Church at 8:00am CT, or meet us at the Hwy 68 trail-head/pullout just before Grassy Cove. Gas cost is $2. Bring water, lunch and snacks.  Depart 8 am CT Trinity Tabernacle Church on HY 127 South. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Wed Jan 9 - ****BSF Oscar Blevins Farm Loop, Jamestown, TN.  Long hike:  We begin at the West Entrance trailhead with 2.2 miles of hiking through a peaceful wooded setting before we join the 3.7 mile Oscar Blevins loop that features the old log cabin where Oscar was born in 1915. Other features along the trail include Muleshoe Rock Shelter, bluffs, old fields and a wet-weather waterfall. After completing the loop, we return on the West Entrance trail for a total of 8 moderate miles. Short hike: Drive down West Brandy Creek Rd to the farm then hike the 3.7 moderate mile Oscar Blevins Loop Trail. Bring lunch and water. Depart from Cracker Barrel at 8:00 am CT.  Carpool cost is $6. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243.

Thurs Jan 10 - Plateau Chapter Meeting, First Methodist Church Annex, Neecham St, Crossville, TN.  This will be a working committees meeting for the Annual Conference that we will host in October.  We need all members to come and brainstorm ideas to make the conference fun as well as raise money. The Chapter will furnish pizzas.  Bring your own non-alcohol beverage. Please arrive by 5pm so we can work while we eat. Contact Bruce Whitehead -plateau@tennesseetrails.org or trailwalker80@gmail.com  - 941-716-3620 that you will attend so he is able to buy enough pizzas.

Wed Jan 16 - ***Prentice Cooper State Forest, CT Mullins Cove Loop.  New hike doing the west half of the loop.  This is a 6.3, moderate to difficult, mile hike following Short Creek featuring a lot of rock hopping and overlook.  Those wishing a shorter hike may retrace their steps at any point or going east from the Trailhead to the Indian Rockhouse and Stone Door then drive to the next trailhead where you can walk to Snoopers Rock Overlook. Depart 8 am CT from Trinity Tabernacle Church on HY 127 South. Carpool cost is $8.  Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Sat Jan 19 -  East Lakeshore Trail, Jackson Bend Branch, Tellico Lake, Lenoir City. This is a new hike for us. This is a 5.2 mile moderate hike along the lake. Depart from Southwest parking lot of the VF outlet mall on Interstate Drive at 8:00 am CT.  Carpool cost is $6. Bring water, lunch and snacks. information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243.

Wed Jan 23 -- *****CT Devils Breakfast Table North, Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, Crossville, TN.  We will hike 7 miles into the Daddy’s Creek Gorge and arrange for a 1 mile car shuttle so that we do not have to retrace our steps. The trail is difficult due to the elevation change and lots of rock steps. From the trailhead, the trail proceeds down "a thousand steps" through Daddy's Creek gorge under sheer bluffs. After a mile, the trail rises out of the canyon and remains on the top of the bluff. There are a couple of overlooks that provide a view of the gorge before the trail goes back down into the gorge on the way to the junction of Daddy’s Creek and the Obed River. Wear good hiking shoes or boots; bring water, lunch and snacks.  Depart from Southwest parking lot of the VF outlet mall on Interstate Drive at 8:00 am CT. Gas cost is $3. Those in the Fairfield Glade area may join the caravan at 8:15 am at the 4-way stop at the intersection of Peavine Road and Stonehenge Drive. Contact Curt Thomas for more info at: curtethomas@frontiernet.net or Phone: 931-260-2140.

Sat Jan 26 - Grassy Cove History Tour and Hike. Martha Kemmer Hale will tell us the history of Grassy Cove. Martha is fifth generation living in the cove. Then we will hike to Banshee Cave and to the Salt Peter Cave (if we can find it) at the base of Brady Mountain. Depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church, Rt 127 South, in Crossville at 9:00am CT. Carpool cost is $2. To sign-up or for additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243

Wed Jan 30 - ****Stinging Fork State Natural Areas and Soak Creek, Spring City, TN. These two hikes are being combined to give a total hiking distance of about 7 miles or less.  Stinging Fork State Natural Area features a 35-foot waterfall and cascade at the end of the 1 ½ mile trail. Due to some elevation gain and possibly slick rocks, the hike is rated moderate to difficult.  Wear boots, bring lunch, water and snacks. Depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church, Rt 127 South, in Crossville at 8:00am CT. Carpool cost is $4. Pack water and snack.  For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  text/call 931-267-2243.