Wednesday, March 14, 2012 Hike -- Piney Falls and Twin Rocks

The first portion of this hike will include some bushwacking below Piney Falls. We will then go to Spring City and hike up to Twin Rocks Overlook. Total hiking is 6-7 moderate to difficult miles. Depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church at 8:00am CT. Gas cost is $4. Photos: Cheryl

(Note: The bushwacking was so tough that we never made it to the Spring City hike.)

Saturday, March 10, 2012 Hike -- Sheltowee Trace / Gobblers Arch Hike (Jamestown area)

 The hike starts at the Peter’s Mountain Trail Head on Divide Rd in the Big South Fork Recreation Area and descend down the Sheltowee Trace Trail following the Mark Branch Creek past rock houses and rock bluffs. The trail crosses the creek several times although there are plenty of stepping rocks to make most of the crossings, but be prepared to follow the trail thru, across and down the stream to the Mark Branch Falls where the trail drops down a set of stairs to the bottom of the falls. We follow the Trace on to the bottom where we meet up with the Kentucky Wild River. Don’t worry we don’t have to cross this river. Here we pick up the Gobblers Arch Trail and start a short but steep accent up to and around steep rock bluffs & rock houses until we reach the Kentucky Wild River overlook. From here we follow the trail to and thru Gobbler’s Arch to the trail head where we will stage a car shuttle to take the drivers back to Peter’s Mt. Trail Head. I would rate this approximately 6 mile hike as moderate to strenuous due to the climb up the Gobbler Arch Trail. Depart from Cracker Barrel at 7:45am CT.  As always bring water, lunch, and extra socks in case your boots are not waterproof!  Contact: Curt Thomas to register or for more info at: curtethomas@frontiernet.net  or 931-260-2140.  Gas Cost $6. Photos: Cheryl

Wednesday, Mar 7, 2012 Hike -- Polly Branch

This is a 6 mile moderate to difficult hiike featuring a walk through the woods with waterfalls, coal mines, and cascades. Depart Tractor Supply at 8:00am CT. Gas cost is $3.00. Photos: Cheryl Ginger Jim

Saturday, February 25, 2012 Hike -- Cloudland Canyon, Rising Fawn, Georgia (Northwest GA)

Located on the western edge of Lookout Mountain, this is one of the most scenic parks in Georgia, offering rugged geology and beautiful vistas. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek with elevations from 800 to 1,980 feet. The hike is along the West Rim and Waterfalls Trail and includes a 600-step staircase on the way to two waterfalls cascading over layers of sandstone and shale into pools below. The total hiking distance will be about 5 miles and about three to four hours in length. The driving time from Crossville is a little over 2 hours. Bring water, lunch, and snacks. Depart at 7:00 AM CT from Trinity Tabernacle Church on Highway 127 South. Gas cost is $11.00. To register and for more information, call Bill Harris at 931-484-9152. Photos: Cheryl Ginger Jim

Wednesday, February 22, 2012 Hike -- North Chickamauga

Wednesday's hike will be the North Chickamauga segment of the Cumberland trail, near Soddy Daisy. This is a moderate to difficult hike of about 7.5 mi. We depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church at 8:00am CT. Gas cost is $8.00. Photos: Cheryl

Wednesday, February 15, 2012 Hike -- Twin Arches in Big South Fork

Wednesday's hike will be Twin Arches in Big South Fork. This hike is a 6 mi loop with a steep climb at the end. We'll depart from Crackerbarrel at 8:00am CT for the 1hr car pool to the trailhead. Gas cost is $6. Check back after 6:00pm Tuesday for changes or cancellations. Photos: Cheryl Ginger Jim