TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

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.

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.

TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

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