TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER: May 2020

MAY HIKES - Instead of carpooling to trailheads our hikers may opt to drive themselves instead.

Fri-Sun May 1-3 Spring Getaway to Tallulah Gorge, Clayton, GA.

We will depart Crossville at 7:30 am CDST from Trinity Tabernacle Church on HY 127 South, Crossville. If we carpool, gas cost is $20 ea. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

*****Wednesday, May 6 -- CT Devils Breakfast Table to Turkey Creek, Catoosa Wildlife Management Area, Hebbetsburg, TN.

SHORT HIKE: 4-5 mile in/out hike to Morgan Overlook. The trail is difficult due to the elevation change and lots of rock steps. From the trailhead, the trail proceeds down "a thousand steps" through Daddy's Creek gorge under sheer bluffs. After a mile, the trail rises out of the canyon and remains on the top of the bluff. There are a couple of overlooks that provide a view of the gorge before the trail goes back down into the gorge on the way to the junction of Daddy’s Creek and the Obed River. LONG HIKE: Devils Breakfast Table to Turkey Creek is a thru hike of 7 strenuous and difficult miles into the Daddy’s Creek Gorge. There is a 1 mile car shuttle. Wear orange and good hiking shoes or boots; bring water, lunch and snacks. Depart from Southwest parking lot of the VF outlet mall on Interstate Drive at 7:30 am CDST. Gas cost is $3. Those in the Fairfield Glade area may join the caravan at 7:45 am at the 4-way stop at the intersection of Peavine Road and Stonehenge Drive. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

*****Wednesday, May 13, Big South Fork, Sheltowee Trace to Parker MT to Buffalo Arch, Jamestown, TN. Gorgeous trail, lots of lady slippers. Fairly easy for a 9 mi hike.

SHORT HIKE: 4.4 moderate in/out miles to the Rock Creek crossing. LONG HIKE: 9 mi moderate hike to Buffalo Arch and back. Water shoes are needed to wade across Rock Creek. There is a half mile climb up Parker Mt where the 2 mi trail to Buffalo Arch is flat.

Depart 7:30 am CDST from Cracker Barrel SW corner of rear parking lot. Carpool cost is $6. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. 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.

Thursday, May 14, Chapter Spring Picnic and Meeting. Bring your own meat for the grill plus a potluck dish and your own beverage. Plates and plastic utensils will be provided. Grilling starts at 5pm CT at Meadow Park Lake, Crossville. The lake is a right turn off Lantana Rd. For info contact Norm Brinsley

plateau@tennesseetrails.org,

(931l 202-2338.

Saturday, May 16, CT Soddy Creek Gorge, Soddy-Daisy, TN.

Start from the Soddy Gulf Trailhead at Back Valley Rd and Hy 111. This access trail follows Big Soddy Creek to the main CT trail along the banks of Board Camp Creek. Short Hike: 4 moderate mile round trip on the access trail. Long Hike: 8 moderate to strenuous miles following Big Soddy and Board Camp Creeks ending at Jones Gap Rd. Short hikers will return to cars then pick up the thru hikers on Hy 111. Depart 7:30 am from Crossville Trinity Tabernacle HY 127S. Carpool cost is $6. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks lunch. For additional information contact the hike leaders, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or Cheryl Heckler 931-200-7436.

Wednesday, May 20, CT Brady MT, Grassy Cove, TN.

We will hike 6 mi in/out to the overlook, mushroom rocks and Arch cleaning and clearing the trail as we go. This will fulfill our obligation for one of our adopted CT trails. Bring swing blades, loppers, clippers, hand saws, water, lunch and snacks. Depart 7:30 am CDST Trinity Tabernacle Church on HY 127 South, Crossville. For additional information contact Tim Case text/call 218-591-1125 or the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Wednesday, May 27 - Big South Fork, Honey Creek to Eye of the Needle, Helen, TN.

We will start from Honey Creek Loop Entrance 2 for a new to us trail to eye of the needle. SHORT HIKE: 4-5 mi in/out easy to moderate. LONG HIKE: 9 mi moderate sometimes strenuous in/out hike. We will have lunch at the picnic area above the eye of the needle. Depart 7:30 am CDST from Cracker Barrel. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Carpool cost is $6. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, 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

May 2020

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