Wednesday January 6 - Big South Fork - Honey Creek Loop - Rugby, TN.
This is one of the best hikes we do, featuring waterfalls, rock houses, and gorge overlooks. BRING WATER SHOES and extra socks JUST IN CASE. Short Hike: 3.5 mile half of the loop exiting the trail at the overlook with a road walk back to the cars. Long Hike: The trail is 6 miles and fairly difficult because of rock scrambles, stream crossings, and steep slopes. Although strenuous, the hike is worth the effort. Also a portion of the hike is in a creek bed, so if we get a bunch of rain in the days before the hike - bring water shoes. A hundred yards or so of the creek bed is insanely slippery and must be hiked w/ extreme care. Depart 8 am CT from the Crossville Cracker Barrel real 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 email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.
Saturday January 9, Cherokee National Forest - Flats Mountain Trail. The trail is part of the Cherokee National Forest, Citgo Creek Wilderness, Tellico Plains, TN. The trail begins at Eagle Gap on the Cherohala Skyway and ends at Bee House Gap on Citgo Rd. The trail is 6.1 moderate miles. Most of the trail is downhill except for 1 short steep section. The trail offers spectacular views of the entire Citgo Creek Wilderness. Depending on the weather, The Plateau Chapter may spend the night in Tellico Plains then thru hike Bald River Falls trail
or a new trail on Sunday. Depart 7:30am CT from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S Main St, Crossville, TN. There are numerous rental cabins near Tellico Plains. If interested in the overnight option please email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.
Wednesday January 13 - South Cumberland State Park- Fiery Gizzard and Dog Hole Trails, Tracy City, TN. BRIDGE IS OUT SO BRING WATER SHOES AND EXTRA SOCKS JUST IN CASE WE CAN'T ROCK HOP ACROSS. There is a tree across the water that may be an option to get across.
LONG HIKE: 6.9 miles moderate to strenuous. We will do a loop of 4.3 miles down Fiery Gizzard descending 400' and returning on the 2.6 mile 400' ascent Dog Hole Trail to Yellow Pines Falls passing 3 other falls along the way. SHORT HIKE: In/out 5.2 mile moderate to strenuous Dog Hole Trail with all the water falls. We begin at the Fiery Gizzard parking lot. Bring lunch to eat on the trail. Depart from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S Main St, Crossville, TN at 7:30 am CT, due to length of drive. Gas cost is $6. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.
Wednesday January 20 - Cumberland Trail - Heiss Mountain Possum Gorge South Section, Dunlap, TN.
Rated strenuous due to length and elevation changes. LONG HIKE: This scenic 7.2 mile in/out strenuous hike is from the Heiss Mountain Trailhead north along Little Possum Creek to Stacked Rock and back. We'll see waterfalls, overlooks, an abandoned coal mine, bluff lines, and stream crossings. Short Hike: 4 miles In/out to Perkins Point Overlook and back. Depart 8 am CT from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S Main St, Crossville, TN. Gas cost is $7. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.
Saturday January 23 - Cumberland Trail - Heiss Mountain Possum Gorge North Section, Graysville, TN.
Rated strenuous due to length and elevation changes. LONG HIKE: This scenic 8.8 mile in/out strenuous hike is from the Retro Hughes Trailhead along Coalbank Branch and Little Possum Creek to Imodium Falls, and back. We'll see waterfalls, overlooks, an abandoned coal mine, bluff lines, and steam crossings. Short Hike: 4.6 miles In/out. Depart from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S Main St, Crossville, TN at 8 am CT. Gas cost is $7. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Pack water, snacks and lunch. For additional information contact the hike coordinator email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.
Wednesday January 27 - Cumberland Trail, Piney River Trail, Spring City, TN.
Long Hike: 7.8 mile in/out moderate to strenuous to Hemlock Falls and back. Short Hike: 4 miles in/out to White Pines Cascades campsite and back. The hike will start at the Newby Branch Trailhead and has a 772 feet elevation loss. The trail passes through dense mountain laurel, rhododendron, hemlock, and hardwood forest. Waterfalls, cascades, rock houses, and bluffs abound along the trail. Depart 8 am CT from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S Main St, Crossville, TN or meet at the Piney River Picnic Area on Shut In Gap Rd in Spring City, TN at 8:20 am CT. Bring lunch, water and snack. Don’t forget tick/bug spray and sunscreen. Gas cost is $3. For additional information, contact the hike coordinator email plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org.
