TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER: Wednesday, April, 12, 2017, Hike -- CT: Signal Point to Mushroom Rock to Hwy 27, Signal Mountain, TN

Join us for one of the most scenic hiking trails overlooking the Tennessee River Gorge. Signal Mountain is one of the southern sections of the Cumberland Trail with features including Julia Falls, various rock formations and overlooks, including Edwards Point with its spectacular view of the "Grand Canyon of the Tennessee." The hikers will lunch at one of the overlooks. The trail follows bluff tops and ridges 1,800 and 2,000 ft. above sea level, drops into ravines lush with hemlocks towering over tangled growths of laurel and rhododendron before meeting the short trail hikers at Mushroom rock and continuing down the gorge, crossing Suck Creek over a swinging bridge, and continuing out of the gorge to Hwy 27. Our hike begins at Signal Point after our car shuttle drops us off. It is an 8.4 mile hike rated strenuous due to length, elevation up and down, rocky terrain and requires good hiking boots.

The shorter hike will be hiking at a relaxed pace 2 miles from Hwy 27 on a gradual rocky up and then descending 400' along switchbacks into the gorge, crossing Suck Creek over a swinging bridge and gradually ascending 300' to Mushroom Rock, a 20-foot-high sandstone pedestal rock of the Sewanee conglomerate. The short trail hikers will find a lunch spot and relax at Mushroom Rock till the Signal Mountain hikers arrive and the entire group continue back down to Hwy 27. The shorter hike is 6 miles rated strenuous due to elevation change.

Bring plenty of water, snack and lunch. Meet at Trinity Tabernacle Church on Hwy 127 South in Crossville at 7:30am CT. Gas cost $8. Photos: Clark

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

Wednesday, April, 12, 2017, Hike -- CT: Signal Point to Mushroom Rock to Hwy 27, Signal Mountain, TN

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