TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

February 2018 Scheduled Hikes

Feb 7 – South Cumberland SP-Grundy Lakes and Carter Cave SNA-Buggy Top. The Grundy Lakes Loop Trail is 2.4 easy-moderate miles. Then we will drive a short distance to Buggy Top Cave Trail, a moderate to difficult 6 mile hike. The cave has an impressive mouth carved into a 50 foot cliff. Depart 8 AM CT from Trinity Tabernacle Church on Hwy 127 South. Carpool cost is $9. 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.

Feb 8 -– Chapter Meeting. 6 PM CT at First United Methodist Church Annex, 69 Neecham Street, Crossville. Program TBD. Join us for dinner beforehand at 5 PM CT at Beef and Barrel, 1112 West Ave. Contact Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620 or email plateau@tennesseetrails.org if you intend to join us for dinner.

Feb 10 – Smoky Mountains-Little River Trail & Cucumber Gap Trail. Option 1: Easy to moderate 12 mile total hike on Cucumber Gap Trail then the length of the Little River Trail and back. Option 2: Hike a loop total of 5 easy to moderate miles on the Cucumber Gap Trail & Little River Trail. Depart 7 AM CT from Outlet Mall, Interstate Drive, west parking lot. Carpool cost is $9. Pack water, snacks and lunch. To sign up contact the hike coordinator Deb Westervelt, via text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Feb 14 – Fall Creek Falls-Prater Place Trail & Wheeler Farm Loop. Prater Place trail is 6 moderate miles, total in and out, to Hemlock Falls. The farm loop is only 1.5 moderate miles with 400 ft elevation loss/gain to Medley Arch, a unique 90' high arch/natural bridge, 120 foot tiered Wheeler Falls, and the remains of a bottomland farm. Depart 8 AM CT Trinity Tabernacle Church on Hwy 127 South. Carpool cost is $6. 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.

Feb 21 – Pickett SP-John Muir & Hidden Passage Trails. This will be a moderate 7.05 mile requiring a short car shuttle. Depart from back parking lot of Cracker Barrel, junction of Hwy 127 N & I-40, at 8 AM CT. Carpool cost is $5. 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.

Feb 28 – Cherokee National Forest - Bald River Gorge Trail. OPTION 1: This is a moderate 6 mile one-way hike from the Holly Flats Campsite on Forest Road 126 to Bald River Falls. Plan for a long car shuttle. OPTION 2: For a shorter in-and-out hike to the falls drop off one-way hikers at Holly Flats then driver to Bald River Falls Trailhead. Depart VF Outlet Mall at 8 AM CT. Carpool cost is $10. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, via email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243 for more info.

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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