TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

JULY HIKES - WATER, WATER AND MORE WATER

Jul 4 – Daniel Boone National Forest, Mark Branch and Sheltowee Trace Trails, KY.

This will be a 5.3 moderate hike in a creek or crisscrossing so bring water shoes just in case the water is high. Gorgeous scenery, rock houses, giant boulders, waterfall, wildflowers. Depart 7:30 AM CDST from the Crossville Cracker Barrel rear parking lot. Carpool cost is $8. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Jul 7 – Big South Fork, Laurel Fork Creek Trail, Jamestown, TN.

This an easy to moderate 6.8 mile hike starting from the West Entrance Trail then North on Laurel Fork Creek and return. We will be crisscrossing the creek 12 times so bring comfortable water shoes along with water, lunch and snacks. Depart 7:30 AM CDST from the Crossville Cracker Barrel. Carpool cost is $6. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Jul 11 – Cummins Falls, Baxter, TN.

This is only a 4 mile hike, but it is strenuous and difficult. There are also 3-4 water crossings (possibly knee deep and fast moving) so bring water shoes. There will be an opportunity for swimming below the falls. We can also drive to Waterloo Falls. Depart 7:30 AM CDST from the Crossville Cracker Barrel rear parking lot. Carpool cost is $7. Pack water and snacks. We'll eat lunch in Cookeville. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Jul 14 – Window Cliffs State Natural Area, Baxter, TN. Window Cliffs is a new TN Natural Area located near Burgess Falls.

The trail is in-and-out for a total of 5.4 strenuous miles. The trail features 9 stream crossings each way, a few small cascades, a couple of steep slopes and a 20-ft waterfall along Cane Creek. Water shoes are highly recommended. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Depart from Tractor Supply at 7:30 am CDST. Carpool cost $7. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Jul 18 – Canoe/Kayak The Caney, Smithville, TN. The water level at the time will determine if we canoe/kayak the upper or lower Caney. The upper portion has waterfalls, coves and islands to explore. The lower is faster moving water from Betty’s Island under the old 1800’s train bridge and a cave to explore. We can get a tax exempt group rate TBD by renting 10 or more boats (kayak or minimum two persons per canoe). If we don’t qualify for the group rate: Nine mile kayak trip is $44.99 per person. Nine mile canoe trip is $32.99 per person. Trip normally takes 3-5 hours. Depart 7:30 AM CDST from the Crossville Cracker Barrel. Pack sunscreen, water, snack, lunch and wear appropriate clothing, hat and footwear. Carpool cost is $8. Contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243 to sign up for this trip. Be sure to state if you are bringing your own canoe or kayak.

Jul 25 – Big South Fork, Laurel Fork Creek Trail, Jamestown, TN. This an easy to moderate 5 mile hike starting from the Sawmill Trailhead then South on Laurel Fork Creek. We will be crisscrossing the creek multiple times so bring comfortable water shoes along with water, lunch and snacks. Depart 7:30 AM CDST from the Crossville Cracker Barrel. Carpool cost is $6. 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 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.

TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

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