TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

JULY 2020 HIKES

Wednesday July 1 - Pickett State Park, Jamestown,TN - Ladder, Bluff, Lake and Island Trails.

We'll hike 5 mi on the Ladder, Bluff, Lake and Island trails. Bring water, snacks and lunch. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Depart 7:30 am CDST from Cracker Barrel's rear lot in Crossville, cpc 5. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

Wed July 8 - Sinkhole and Boulder Trails - Oak Ridge, TN. The Sinkhole Trail is 1.3 mi and the Boulder Trail is 1.5 mi. Both trails are moderate. (SEE Hiking Project App) Short Hike: 3 mi in/out. Long Hike: 6 mi in/out. Depart 7:30 am CDST from Vanity Fair Outlet Mall SW parking lot in Crossville, cpc 6. 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.

Sat July 11 - CT Ross Gap Bird Mountain, Frozen Head State Park.

Short Hike: 4-5 mi moderate in/out. Long Hike: 7-8 mi moderate to strenuous (loop or in/out). Start from the Ross Gap Trailhead. Ross Gap is the easiest access point along the crest of Bird Mountain to the Cumberland Trail, and some historic coal mine benches, and an old coal mine retention pond. Just beyond the pond, the CT crosses an old coal road that drops to the left to intersect the England Mountain Coal Bench. Other features are a large mushroom-shaped rock and the thick sandstone layer has created a set of pedestal steps that mark the beginning of a series of sheer sandstone bluffs. Also a fine view into Emory River Valley and a shapely arch high in the bluff called “Castle Rocks West”.

Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Depart 7:30 am CDST from Vanity Fair Outlet Mall SW parking lot in Crossville, cpc 5. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Wed July 15 - CT Catoosa Section, Peavine Trailhead Toward Devil's Breakfast Table, Hebbettsburg, TN.

Short hike: 4-5 easy mi in/out. Long hike: 6-7mi easy to strenuous in/out. Depart 7:30am CDST from Vanity Fair Outlet Mall SW parking lot in Crossville OR 7:45am from the Dollar Tree parking lot on Peavine Rd just before Food City, cpc 2. Pack water and snacks. 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.

Wed July 22 - Survival Class - Edible Plants, Grassy Cove, TN.

CLASS IS FULL WITH WAITING LIST. John Ford will teach us free of charge how to survive if lost in the woods and what plants and roots we can eat. The class is limited to 14 people, and we will drive to 2-3 nearby locations. John tries to cover rich woodlands, fields and wetlands. Whatever you normally bring for hiking would be good, field guide(optional) plus pen and paper. John will require everybody to sign a release form/waiver. Class should last around 4 hours not including driving time. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks. Depart at 7:30am CDST from Dorton United Methodist Church 1mi East of Peavine Rd on HY 70E, gas cost $2. To sign up text/call Deb 931-267-2243.

Saturday July 25 - Melton Lake Greenway, Oak Ridge, TN Short Hike: 4-5 easy in/out mi. Long Hike: 7 mi easy in/out. Trail follows the coastline of Melton Lake. (See All Trails App) Depart at 7:30am CDST from Dorton United Methodist Church 1mi East of Peavine Rd on HY 70E, gas cost $6. 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.

Wed July 29 - East Lakeshore, Morgantown, TN and Sweetwater Valley Farm Cheese Shop, Pittsburgh, TN. Trailhead is located at East Coast Tellico Parkway and Peterson Rd. The 5.1mi trail follows the Little Tennessee River and we can do a car shuttle or in/out. Bring a small cooler to keep your cheese purchases in. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Depart at 7:30am CDST from Dorton United Methodist Church 1mi East of Peavine Rd on HY 70E, gas cost $7. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

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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