TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

MAY Scheduled Hikes -- Bruce's Picks

May 2 – Cloudland Canyon State Park, GA. This is an in and out moderate to difficult 6-7 mile wildflower hike on the Waterfalls Trail and Sitton’s Gulch Trail which includes a 600-step staircase on the way to two waterfalls cascading over layers of sandstone and shale into pools below. The park straddles a deep gorge cut into the mountain by Sitton Gulch Creek with elevations from 800 to 1,980 feet. The driving time from Crossville is a little over 2 hours. Depart 7:30 am CDST from Trinity Tabernacle Church on HY 127 South. Carpool cost is $11. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

May 2 – 5 star Gobblers Arch and Sheltowee Trace Trails.

This will be a 5.3 moderate hike. Gorgeous scenery, arch, rock houses, giant boulder, waterfall, wildflowers. Depart Cracker Barrel at 7:30am CDST. Carpool cost is $7. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

May 9 – Colditz Cove and Gentleman’s Swimming Hole.

Colditz Cove features a 1.5 mile loop to the 60 foot high Northrop Falls. A short drive brings us to the Gentlemen’s Swimming Hole in Rugby for an additional 2 mile hike. Depart Cracker Barrel at 7:30am CDST. Carpool cost $6. We can also walk around historic Rugby and eat lunch at the Harrow Road Café or RM Brooks General Store. Pack water, and snacks. To sign up contact the hike coordinator Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@Gmail.com, or text/call 931-267-2243.

May 10 – Plateau Chapter Spring Picnic at Meadow Park Lake. Rain or shine, our Chapter Picnic will be from 5:00pm to 7:00pm CDST at the Meadow Park Lake picnic shelter. Bring your own meat to grill, and covered dish or dessert to share. Charcoal grills will be ready for grilling by 5:00 pm. Plates, plastic ware, cups, napkins, coffee and iced tea will be provided. Call Carol Quattrociocchi, 931-484-4230 or text 931-787-9083.

May 16 – Standing Stone State Park.

Join us on a 5 mile wildflower hike around the Lake. The park takes its name from a 12 foot tall rock standing upright on a sandstone ledge, which was supposedly used as a boundary line between two Indian nations. When the rock fell, the Indians placed a portion of it upon an improvised monument to preserve it. The stone is still preserved in Monterey. Depart 7:30 am CDST from Cracker Barrel. Pack water, snacks and lunch (option: eat late lunch in Cookeville). Carpool cost is $6. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

May 23 – Pickett SP- Natural Bridge/Hazard Cave/Indian Rockhouse/Lake View Trails.

This is an easy to moderate 6 mile loop which includes a natural bridge, and two large rock overhangs, Hazard cave and Indian rockhouse. At Hazard Cave there are signs along the trail that identify the endangered Cumberland Sandwort plant. Take a closer look and you will see parts of the rock carved over time into intricate shapes, and beautifully colored by algae and lichen. Depart 7:30 am CDST from back parking lot of Cracker Barrel, junction of HY 127 N and I-40. 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.

May 26 – Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Injun Creek.

We'll hike 7 mile moderate miles. This trail is unmaintained but very scenic with small waterfalls, cemetery, bridges and lots of foliage and wildflowers. About half way through the hike, we will pick up the Grapeyard Trail and follow the creek to our shuttle destination. Bring snacks, water, lunch, and hiking boots. Depart VF Outlet Mall at 7:30 am CDST. Carpool cost is $10. Contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243 for more info.

May 30 – Pickett SP-John Muir and Hidden Passage Trails. This will be a moderate 7.05 mile requiring a short car shuttle. Depart from back parking lot of Cracker Barrel, junction of Hwy 127 N and I-40, at 8AM CT. Carpool cost is $5. 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.

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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