Wednesday, September 27, 2017, Hike -- Cumberland Mountain State Park

Since we are heading out this weekend for an overnight, we’ll do the Pioneer Loop Trail for 4.3 easy miles, and the Byrd Creek Trail for another easy 2 miles. Then partake in the buffet lunch at the State Park restaurant. Depart from Trinity Tabernacle at 8:00am CT.  Carpool cost is $1.  Bring water.  For more information and to register contact Deb Westervelt at  plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267-2243, txt or voicemail.

Saturday-Sunday, September 30 - October 1, 2017 -- Cumberland Gap Hiking Overnight

Saturday: Hike Sand Cave and White Rocks Via Ewing Trail is a 8.9 mile loop trail located near Ewing, Virginia that features a waterfall and is rated as difficult. Trail is 8.9 mile loop with 2611' elevation gain. If interested in trip, but not the hike, you can reserve a guided hike to Gap cave for $8 or $4 if you have a golden pass; 1 tour per pass. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/ewing-trail-sand-cave-white-rocks

Sunday: Hike Chadwell Gap trail to Ridge Trail to Hensley Settlement.
The settlement gets its name from a Kentucky man named Sherman Hensley, who in 1903 moved with his young wife to the top of Cumberland Mountain to eke out a living away from the encroaching world of telephones and automobiles. It is approximately 8 mile difficult hike with 2385' elevation gain. If interested in the settlement but don’t want to hike, you can reserve a Ranger Guided Hensley Settlement tour for $10 ($5 if you have a Golden Pass; 1 tour per pass). The ranger drives a 10 pass enger van up the Shillalah Creek trail (a steep gravel road) to the settlement. See the profile on the map at: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/chadwell-gap-to-hensley-settlement--2

Hotels: Sleep Inn (606-576-7829) or Holiday Inn Express (606-248-6860)) in Middlesboro, KY or. Call Cheryl Heckler for info.

Depart from Crossville Outlet Center west parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost is $10. Pack water, snacks and lunches. For more information and to register contact Cheryl Heckler at thehecklers@charter.net or 931-200-7436.

October 2017 Hikes

Wednesday, October 4 – BSF Honey Creek Loop.   This is a moderate sometimes 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 8 am.  Carpool cost is $7.    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.

Saturday, October 7 – Hit the Trails Festival.  Festival is the conclusion of the September month long Cumberland County hiking marathon.  Over Thirty information booths,  including one for our TTA Chapter, will be setup from various outdoor activity organizations and vendors.  Contact Cheryl Heckler thehecklers@charter.net to volunteer to help man the booth.   There will be music and food.  The Festival runs from 10am – 3pm at the corner of Stonehenge Drive and Peavine Road in Fairfield Glade.

Wednesday, October 11 – Haw Ridge Park in Oak Ridge.  This will be approximately an 8 mile moderate lakeside hike.      Pack water, snacks and lunch.  Depart from the VF Outlet Mall west parking lot at 8 am CT.  Carpool cost is $7.  For additional information contact the hike coordinator,  Deb Westervelt, via email  plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org  or text/call 931-267-2243.

Thursday, October 12 -  Chapter Meeting. 6pm CT at First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street, Crossville.  Dinner at Casa Grande Restaurant on Miller Ave, Crossville at 5 pm CT.  Program: Tree Identification by Don Hazel.  Contact Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620, email  plateau@tennesseetrails.org  if you intend to join us for dinner.

 Friday-Sunday, Oct 13-15 – TTA Annual Meeting.

Wednesday, October 18 – Norris Dam State Park.  Rock Creek, Sinkhole and Andrews Ridge trails.  This will be a 6-7 mile moderate (strenuous at times) hike.  Carpool cost is $8.    Pack water, snacks and lunch. Depart from the VF Outlet Mall west parking lot at 8 am.  For additional information contact the hike coordinator,  Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org  or  text/call 931-267-2243.

Saturday, Oct 21 – Sunday, Oct 22  Backpack trip on Cumberland Trail Norma Road to Bruce Gap Overnight, Caryville, TN.  This 17 mile hike is strenuous for distance and ascent/descent rates with an elevation change of 2020'. Hike will require a car shuttle from Norma Road to Bruce Gap trailheads. We will hike 7.5 miles before camping at Montgomery Fork Campground, then out 9.5 miles the next day. Features are a beautiful forest with large hardwoods, Anderson Mountain, Cross Mountain, Royal Blue Unit of the North Cumberland Wildlife Management, seasonal views of the valleys and more distant mountaintops, and possibly see elk and other wildlife. Despite the difficulty, it is a very beautiful and interesting trail.  Bring backpacking gear, water, and food for a 2-day, 1-night trip. Depart at 7:30 am CT from Cracker Barrel, Highway 127, just south of I-40 exit 317.  Carpool cost $9. For more information and to register contact Curt Thomas at curtethomas@frontiernet.net  or  (931) 260-2140  or Cheryl Heckler at thehecklers@charter.net  or  (931) 200-7436 .

Wednesday, October 25 -  CT Snow Falls/Buzzard Point.  From the Laurel/Snow Falls parking lot, we will hike up the creek and then off the mountain to Snow Falls. Bring water shoes to cross a creek. The hike is about 8 moderate miles.  Pack water, snacks and lunch.  We depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church at 8am CT.    Carpool cost is $7.  For more information or to sign up contact via text or call Deb Westervelt via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org  or txt/call 931-267-2243.

Saturday, October 28 – Glendale Branch and Coytee Loop Trails.  This is a 6 mile easy to moderate hike along the East lakeshore of Tellico Lake.  Pack water, snacks and lunch. Carpool cost is $7.  Depart from the VF Outlet Mall west parking lot at 8 am.  For more information contact, via text or call, Deb Westervelt via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org  or txt/call 931-267-2243.

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Wednesday, September 20, 2017, Hike -- Lone Mountain State Forest

Smokey Bear Trail and Dailey Trail to Coyote Point and back is a moderate to strenuous 8 mile hike. The first 1.5 miles are uphill.  Lone Mountain is 3 miles South of Wartburg. From Coyote Point you can see the Crab Orchard Mountains and on a clear day the Smokies. Depart from Vanity Fair west parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost is $6. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For more information and to register contact Deb Westervelt at  plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org  or 931-267-2243, txt or voicemail. 

Saturday September 16, 2017 Marathon Hikes

Hike the FFG Overlook and Library/Seven Bridges trails. Meet at 8am at the 4-way stop at Peavine and Stonehenge parking lot.  We should complete those about 10:30am. We will then head into Crossville to hike the Woodlawn Loop then go on to St Raphael Church trail. If you only want to do the last two hikes, meet at the Sav-a-Lot parking at 10:50am.  Contact Cheryl Heckler for info at thehecklers@charter.net or txt 931 200 7436.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017, Hike -- FFG North Trails

This is a compilation of trails making a figure 8 of 7.6 easy to moderate miles in Fairfield Glade. Bring snacks and water. Non-Fairfield Glade hikers will depart from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot at 7:30am CT and carpool to the  Catholic Church parking lot on Peavine to meet up with the Fairfield resident hikers. We will depart  at 7:45am CT. Carpool cost is $1. For more information or to sign up contact Deb Westervelt, plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267-2243.

Saturday, September 9, 2017, Hike -- CT Lawson Mountain Section

 Norma RoadTrailhead. Water shoes may be needed to cross Lick Creek.  This is moderate in an out hike going South along New River and Lick Creek with two options: 7.8 miles round trip to the overlook or skip the overlook instead going 4 miles in to a field to watch the elk and back for total of 8 miles, OR do both for 9.4 miles. Other interesting features are small waterfall, rock formations and views. Depart from Crossville Outlet Center west parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost is $9. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For more information and to register contact Deb Westervelt, plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267-2243.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017, Hike -- BSF Buffalo Arch

Buffalo Arch Trail is a moderate 4.8 miles in and out hike with an 823’ elevation change. The trail is just across the TN/KY border off HY 154 North of Pickett State Park. Depart from Cracker Barrel at 7:30am CT. Bring lunch, snacks and water. Carpool cost is $5. For more information or to sign up contact Deb Westervelt, plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267-2243.

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,  plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or  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 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.

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

Note:  You must sign up and pay (cash or check) for the Raft Trip at the Plateau Chapter meeting 10 August (Diane will be there to collect).  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.

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 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.

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, 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, July 19, 2017, Hike -- Lakeside Loop Trail-Norris Dam SP Andersonville, Tn

This new hike for our chapter is a loop trail running 6.2 miles.  More than half the trail runs along the Clinch River. The trail is rated moderate due to some elevation rise. Carpool cost $8. Depart the Crossville Outlet Center at 7:30am CT.

Saturday, July 15, 2017, Hike -- Big South Fork (BSF), Grand Gap Loop, Oneida

This is a 6.8 mile moderate rim trail hike among cliffs and boulders with spectacular views of the BSF Gorge. Depart from Cracker Barrel back parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost $7. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For more information and to register contact Cheryl Heckler at thehecklers@charter.net or 931-200-7436.

Wednesday, July 12, 2017, Hike -- Baskins Creek in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

This is a 5.8 mile loop strenuous hike featuring a waterfall, old cemetery and farm that includes a four-stall barn, corncrib, and cabin. Included in the loop is a 1.2 mile walk on roaring creek road to access the Trillium Gap trail back to the car. There is some elevation loss and gain with a maximum of 843' elevation gain. This is a new trail for our chapter. Remember to bring water, snacks, and lunch. Depart the Crossville Outlet Center west parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost $10. A shorter 2.7 mile hike to the falls and back (includes a climb) is available.