TTA PLATEAU CHAPTER

SEPTEMBER SCHEDULED HIKES (*Note some changes)

Sep 5 - CT Catoosa Section South, Hebbettsburg, TN.

Hike from the bridge at Devils Breakfast Table going South to waterfall, overlook, to the end of the trail, and back for 7 - 8 moderate sometimes strenuous miles. SHORT option: Hikers wanting a shorter hike can turn around at the waterfall or the first overlook for 2-3 strenuous miles. Pack water, snacks and lunch. Carpool cost is $2. Non-Fairfield Glade hikers will depart and carpool from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot at 7:30am CT to the Catholic Church two blocks past Peavine/Stonehenge Roads 4-way stop to meet up with the Fairfield resident hikers. We will depart the for the hike at 7:45am CT. For more information or to sign up contact Deb Westervelt at 931-267-2243 or plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Sep 8 -- Smokies - Madron Bald/Albright Grove Loop Trail.

This is a 7.3 moderate hike with a 1500 elevation change. Features include giant tulip, beech, hemlock and silverbells trees, Buckeye Creek, Willis Baxter cabin built in 1889, and Cole Creek. Depart from Vanity Fair west parking lot at 7:30am CT. Carpool cost is $10. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

*Sep 12 - Cumberland Trail Lawson Mt Section - Cave Branch Trailhead (New hike).

This will be a 6.6 mile moderate to strenuous hike with approx 1400 ft elevation change. We'll follow Cave Branch Creek with small bluffs, seasonal cascades and waterfall, then to an overlook and 25 ft high stacked rocks. Depart 7:30 AM CT from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot. Carpool cost is $7. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Sep 13 - Chapter 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, plasticware and napkins will be provided. Contact Carol Q if you have any questions at 787-9083.

Sep 19 - Frozen Head State Park – Bird Mountain, Wartburg, TN. We’ll hike 7.6 moderate sometimes strenuous miles with 1000’ elevation change making a loop on Lookout Tower West, North Bird Mountain and Bird Mountain Trails. https://tnstateparks.com/assets/pdf/additional-content/park-maps/09-frozen-head.jpg Short hike options are available. Depart 7:30 AM CT from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot. Carpool cost is $7. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

*Sep 22 - Obed Wild and Scenic Lilly Bridge Section, Lancing, TN. We will hike the .4 mi Boulder Trail, 3.8 mi easy Point Trail and .6 mi Overlook Trail for a total of 4.8 mi. For those wanting more challenging and scenic we'll add the .5 Bridge Trail. Depart 7:30 AM CT from the Crossville Outlet Mall west parking lot. Carpool cost is $5. Pack water, snacks. We will eat lunch at nearby Lilly Pad Hopyard Brewery and Sauced Frog. For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, text/call 931-267-2243 or email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.

Sep 26 - Big South Fork Twin Arches, Jamestown, TN. We start from the Sawmill Trailhead to Slave Falls to Jake's Place then onto the Arches and return for 11 mi strenuous miles. Depart 7:30 am from Cracker Barrel HY 127 N at I-40. Carpool cost is $6. Bring water, lunch and snacks. Contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt at 931-267-2243 or plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org, for more information.

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

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