TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

March 2018 Scheduled Hikes

Mar 3 – Cumberland Trail Devils Racetrack.

This is 7 mile moderate hike. We will do a car shuttle to Eagle Bluff then hike the Cumberland Mountain ridge top back to Bruce Gap Trailhead near Cove Lake State Park. There are many overlooks and interesting rock formations along the trail, including the "Devil's Racetrack" plus many waterfalls. Pack your lunch and bring water and enjoy the views with us! Depart VF Outlet Mall at 7:30 am CT. Carpool cost is $8. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or

text/call 931-267-2243 for more info.

Mar 7 – Martha's Pretty Point. We will hike 4.5 moderate miles on the new rerouted trail. Depart 8 am CT from Tractor Supply on West Ave. Carpool cost is $3. 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.

Mar 8 -– Chapter Meeting. 6pm CT at First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street, Crossville. Program will be on TWRA and wildlife by Míme Barnes, Wildlife Information Specialist. Join us for dinner beforehand at 5pm CT at Abuelas Cuban Main St downtown. Contact Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620 or email plateau@tennesseetrails.org if you intend to join us for dinner.

Mar 14 – Cumberland Trail McGill Creek Section.

This will be a 4.8 mile moderate to strenuous in to McGill Creek and out. Depart 7:30 am CT from Trinity Tabernacle Church on HY 127 South. Carpool cost is $6. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For more information contact the hike coordinator Deb Westervelt, via text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Mar 17-18 – Savage Gulf Backpack To Hobbs Cabin. Day hikers will hike in 3 miles and return while our overnight backpackers will continue on to Hobbs Cabin for a total of 9 miles on Sat and 8 miles on Sun. Depart 7:30 am CT Trinity Tabernacle Church on HY 127 South. Backpackers must contact Deb in order to reserve enough campsites. Carpool cost is $7. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information and/or sign up for the backpacking trip contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Mar 21 – Big South South -John Muir Trail to Maude’s Crack.

This will be a moderate 6 mile hike along No Business Creek. https://www.nps.gov/biso/learn/historyculture/nobusiness.htm. Climbing up the crack is strenuous. Depart from back parking lot of Cracker Barrel, junction of HY 127 N & I-40, at 7:30 am CT. Carpool cost is $6. 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.

Mar 28 – BSF Laurel Fork Creek Trail. Via the West Entrance Trailhead this will be an 8.4 mile moderate in and out hike along the creek. Depart from Cracker Barrel back parking lot at 8 am CT. Carpool cost is $5. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org

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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