May 2019 Scheduled Hikes

May 1, Wednesday – CT Soddy Creek Gorge.  

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.  Depart  7:30 am from Crossville Trinity Tabernacle HY 127S.  Carpool cost is $5.  Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen.   Pack water, snacks lunch.  For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

May 8 – Wednesday – Private Land Exploring, Pine Orchard, TN.

 Hike 4-6 miles on old roads to the site of n old homestead. We'll also venture off on some logging roads in search of a rockhouse and spring.  Bring a sack lunch to eat on the trail. Depart 7:30 am CT from Southwest parking lot of the VF outlet mall on Interstate Drive.  Gas reimbursement $4.00.  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.

May 9, Thurs – Plateau Chapter Spring Picnic.  We still need your ideas for fundraising at the Annual Conference. 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 rossville.  Contact Chapter Chair, Bruce Whitehead, 941-716-3620 or email plateau@tennesseetrails.org  for information.

May 10-12 Spring Weekend Getaway – Our Spring weekend getaway to Lake Guntersville State Park  in Alabama.  The Park has a restaurant/lounge, lodge, cabins, chalets, golf course, cave, cascades, waterfalls, beach, fishing and the Screaming Eagle Zipline.  Oh my!  Plus 31 miles of trails if we have time!  Nearby is the Space and Rocker Center,  Cathedral Caverns State Park,  Bucks Pocket State Park.  

Lodge Room sleeps 4  $145 to $158 a night
Chalet            sleeps 6  $140 a night
Cabin             sleeps 6  $163 a night
Please make your own Reservation on-line or call the park.
Get a group of guys or gals or couples to share a room, chalet or cabin.

It's approximately a 3 hour drive to the Park.  So on Friday we will hike the 3.5 mi round trip Point Rock Trail with  a 70' waterfall in Bucks Pocket State Park on the way to Lake Guntersville.  So on Sat and Sun our options are to hike, visit the Caverns or tour the Space and Rocket Center, golf, fishing, or experience the Zipline.  Let me know what your preferences are for activities.   We don't all have to do the same thing.  Depart 7:30 am CT from Crossville Trinity Tabernacle HY 127S.  Carpool cost is $20.  Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen.  Please let the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, know you are going at plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243. 

Apr 15, Wednesday – CT Soak Creek and Piney Falls, Spring City and Grandview, TN -   Piney Falls is a 3 mile round trip loop hike that features the 80 foot tall Upper Piney Falls. The trail is generally easy going under the upper falls along a rock bluff requiring you to climb with the assist of a rope to the top of the bluff then crossing the creek at the top of the falls.  A side trail to the lower falls is short but steep.  Depart 7:30 am CT from Crossville Trinity Tabernacle HY 127S.  Carpool cost is $3.  Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen.  Please let the hike coordinator, Deb Westervelt, know you are going at plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or text/call 931-267-2243.

May 18 – Saturday – Frozen Head State Park, Wartburg, TN. Short Hike: 4 mile moderate loop on the South Old Mac and Judge Branch trails. Long Hike:  6.5 mile moderate to strenuous loop on South Old Mac and North Old Mac.  Lots of wildflowers.  Depart 7:30am CT from Outlet Mall, Interstate Drive, west 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 Cheryl Heckler, via text/call 931-200-7436.

May 22, Wednesday – CT Daddys Creek Section Trail, Hebbettsburg, TN.  Long Hike: This will be a 7.5 moderate mile thru hike  along Daddys Creek, past a 1940s cave house once home to a family for years. Requires an 8-mile shuttle. Short Hike:  Starting from the Keyes Rd Trailhead to the connector trail yellow gated parking area is 4.7 moderate miles

Depart 7:30 am CT from Southwest parking lot of the VF outlet mall on Interstate Drive. 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. Carpool cost is $2. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch.  For additional information contact the hike coordinator, Bruce Whitehead 941-716-3620.

May 29, Wednesday – Virgin Falls Natural Area, Sparta, TN. This is an 9-mile strenuous hike to the 110 foot tall Virgin Falls. Along the way, we will pass Big Branch Falls, Big Laurel Falls (30-foot waterfall), and Sheep Cave Falls. There is a stream crossing and some difficult footing on this hike with much up and down hiking. There is a possibility the water at the stream crossing may be a little high so bring water shoes.  Depart 7:30am CT from Tractor Supply on West Ave.  Carpool cost is $4.  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.