TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

July 2019 Plateau Chapter Scheduled Hikes

Jul 3- Wednesday - CT Ozone Falls towards Black Mountain - hike in/out approximately 6 miles, rated moderate to difficult (it's the CT). Depart from the Dorton United Methodist Church 3405 HY 70E, one mile East of Peavine Rd at 7:30 a.m CDST. The Church is next door to Certified Cylinder. Carpool cost is $1. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, at plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Jul 10 – Wednesday – Daniel Boone National Forest, KY- Split Bow Arch, Bear Creek Ovelook, Big Shoals. This will be a moderate 7 miles in/out. After seeing the arch and overlook we’ll hike along the Kentucky Wild River to Big Shoals and return. Depart 7:30 am CDST from The Crossville Vanity Fair Outlet Mall West parking lot on Interstate Drive. Carpool cost is $10. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Jul 11, Thurs – Plateau Chapter Meeting. This a working meeting for the Annual Conference. Bring your ideas for fundraising and sponsors. Bring your own dinner. Meet at 5pm CT at First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street, Crossville. Contact Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620 or plateau@tennesseetrails.org for information.

Jul 15, Saturday – Pickett State Park, Jamestown, TN - Pogue Creek, Jamestown, TN. 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 Crossville Cracker Barrel. Carpool cost is $5. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Jul 17, Wednesday – Big South Fork, Laurel Fork Creek Trail, Jamestown, TN. Long hike: This an easy to moderate 7 mile in/out hike starting from the Jack's Ridge Loop Trailhead then East on Laurel Fork Creek Trail and return. Short hike: Hikers may stop anywhere along the creek to wait for the other hikers to return or head back to the trailhead. In case the creek is high, bring water shoes because we will crisscross the creek a few times. Also bring water, lunch and snacks. Depart 7:30 pAM 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 24 – Wedneday – Big South Fork, Jamestown, TN - Twin Arches Trail. This is a 6 mile moderately strenuous hike due to the flights of stairs and the continual climb from Charit Creek. The Twin Arches are the largest arches in Big South Fork and quite possibly in the Eastern United States. The South Arch is the highest at 100 feet. After visiting the arches, we pass through several huge rock houses along the base of the cliffs as we wind our way to Jake’s Place, the remains of a mid-1800’s house and farm. Then we follow the creek to Charit Creek Lodge. Bring your lunch to eat on the Charit Creek Lodge porch. Then we ascend 500 ft. in almost a mile as we climb from Charit Creek, past the arches, and to the trailhead. Depart from Cracker Barrel Depart 7:30 am CDST from Crossville Cracker Barrel's rear lot (close to Waffle House) in Crossville. Carpool cost is $6. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Jul 27 – Saturday - Norris Dam State Park, Norris, TN. From the cabins parking lot we'll hike a 5-6 mi lollipop on Lake View and Lakeside Loop trails. We'll have lunch at Clinch River Brewing which opens at 1 pm. Depart 7:30 AM CDST from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot. Carpool cost is $7. Pack water and a snack. For additional information contact Bruce Whitehead, 941 716 3620 or trailwalker80@gmail.com and to sign up.

Jul 31- Wednesday - Chattabrew Tour, Chattanooga, TN. ChattaBrew Private Tour for Plateau Chapter Hiking Group on Wednesday, July 31, 2019. We will tour 4 breweries in Chattanooga. Sign up by texting Deb Westervelt 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Depart Trinity Tabernacle 7:30am CDST

Activity date: Wednesday, July 31, 2019

Tour Start time: 10:30am EDST

Please plan to arrive 20 minutes before.

Bring valid ID showing you're 21 or older.

Tour Price $40 ea with 10 participants (min) or $30 ea for 18 participants (max).

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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