TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

November 2017 Planned Hikes

Wednesday, November 1 – Smokies Alum Cave elevation 4955 ft. Option 1. This is a 4.6 mile moderate in/out hike with elevation gain of 1125 ft. Option 2. Continue steeply up the trail to Gracie’s Pulpit for another 1/3 mi. Hikers will follow Alum Cave Creek for the first mile. At just over 1.3 mi we will reach Arch Rock. The trail actually goes under the arch and requires a climb of several steps etched into the stone before exiting at the top. At roughly two miles we reach Inspiration Point, a heath bald that offers commanding views. At 2.2 mi we will reach Alum Cave, which really isn't a cave, but a concaved bluff, about 80 feet in height, and roughly 500 feet in length. The Cave was mined for Epsom salt and saltpeter. Depart VF Outlet Mall at 8am CT. Carpool cost is $10. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For more info contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Saturday, November 4 – Eagle Bluff to Tank Springs, Cumberland Trail, LaFollette. Come hike 7 moderate to difficult miles (uphill and downhill grades with some rock scrambling) with us on the beautiful Eagle Bluff section of the CT (description at cumberlandtrail.org). We will see large rock walls, sandstone cliffs, a stone arch window, and overlooks of Powell River Valley. Some narrow rock ledges that have to be traversed. Car shuttle required from Tank Springs to Eagle Bluff. Depart Outlet Mall West parking lot by 7:30 CT. Carpool cost is $8. Bring your lunch, snacks and water. Contact Curt Thomas for more info curtethomas@frontiernet.net or call 931-260-2140.

Wednesday, November 8 – Chattanooga River Walk

The Chattanooga River walk is an 8-10 mile walk on a paved path. Wear street clothes and comfortable shoes. There are birds, flowers, bridges, and historical markers along the way, along with ample drinking fountains and restrooms. Bring your own food and eat in a covered pavilion along the way, or eat at a restaurant downtown. A shuttle is required. Carpool cost is $9. Depart 8 am 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.

Thursday, November 9 - Chapter Meeting. 6pm CT at First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street, Crossville. 5pm CT Dinner at Gondola Restaurant. Program: Blue Bird Monitoring by Don Hazel. Contact Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620, email plateau@tennesseetrails.org if you intend to join us for dinner.

Wednesday, November 15 – Saturday -- Scott's Gulf: Yellow Bluff/Caney Fork River. The trail is about 7 or 8 miles in length and is rated moderate/strenuous due to the length and the climb at the end. Features include a couple of nice overlooks and a rock house. Come prepared (water shoes) to cross 3 small streams. Carpool cost is $6. Meet at Tractor Supply at 8:00 AM CT. For more information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.tr

Saturday, November 18 – CT Pot Point Loop. Joint hike with Soddy Daisy Chapter. Option 1: From the Northern Trailhead hike in 3.1 miles past Snooper’s Rock, to the Natural Bridge and back out. Option 2: Hike 9 mi to the Southern Trailhead adding “boulder garden” and Raccoon Mt overlook features. Option 3: Hike the entire loop of 11.7 mi. Depart Trinity Tabernacle Church on Rt 127 south at 8 am. Carpool cost is $9. For more info, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Wednesday, November 22 – Whites Creek SWA. 3 mi loop trail off HY 27. Bring water and snacks. Depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church on Rt 127 south at 8 am CT. Carpool cost is $4. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Wednesday, November 29 – Pickett State Park, Pogue Creek. This will be a 6.6 mile moderate hike in Pogue Creek Gorge to the Pickett SP picnic area which will require a car shuttle. Features include rock houses, rock bluffs and an overlook. Depart 8am from Cracker Barrel. Carpool cost is $5. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via 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 plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org

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.

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