TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

September 2019 SCHEDULED HIKES

Sep 4, Wednesday – Big South Fork, Laurel Fork Creek Trail, Jamestown, TN.

This a moderate 5.2 mile thru hike starting from the Jack's Ridge Loop Trailhead then East on Laurel Fork Creek Trail to the West entrance trail. 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 10 times. Once we are down to the creek you can leave you can hike the trail in your water shoes. 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.

Sep 7 – 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.

Sep 11 – 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.

Sep 12, Thurs – Plateau Fall Picnic at Meadow Park Lake. Hike Soldier Beach Trail at 4pm with picnic starting at 5pm at the marina pavilion. The grill will be hot and ready to grill your favorite meat or veggies. Also bring a dish to share and BYOB. Plates, plastic ware and napkins will be provided. Contact Carol Q if you have any questions at 787-9083 or Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620 or email plateau@tennesseetrails.org

Sep 18, Wednesday –CT Laurel Falls, Dayton, TN. We will hike the trail to beautiful Laurel Falls (past an old coal mine and over some small streams on bridges) to several options of your choice: 2.1 miles one-way on CT to 150-foot bridge; Laurel Falls spur 2.4 miles one-way; Bryan overlook is 3.3 miles one-wayThere are some short strenuous portions uphill. Depart from Trinity Tabernacle Church at 7:30 am CT. Carpool cost $6. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Howard Owen 931-484-1328 email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Sep 25, Wednesday – Big South Fork, Honey Creek, near Rugby, TN. Wednesday's hike will be Honey Creek. We'll pick a 4 or 6 mi version depending on how hot it is and the group's energy. The footing is significantly more difficult than our typical hike so either the 4 or 6 mi hike will be a good work out. Also a portion of the hike is in a creek bed, so if we get a bunch of rain in the next couple days, we'll pick another Big South Fork hike. A hundred yards or so of the creek bed is insanely slippery and must be hiked w/ extreme care. Meet at Crackerbarrel's rear parking lot at 7:30am. Figure $6 for gas. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Sep 27-29 Fall Weekend Getaway – We will travel to Winchester , Kentucky with hiking in the Red river Gorge. Friday - 5 mile loop in the Natural Bridge State Park with option of spur trail of 1.5 mi in/out. Saturday is a 5 mi loop with optional 2.5 mi spur trail to double arches. Sunday will be a short hike before heading home. Please contact Cheryl Heckler email thehecklers@charter.net or 931-200-7436 no later than 15 Aug if you intend to go so motel reservations can be made.

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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