On Saturday, August 18, 2012, Randy Hedgepath, our TN State Naturalist, led 10 hikers from the Nashville, Memphis, and Upper Cumberland  chapters of Tennessee Trails on an amazing adventure.  To say this hike was off the beaten path is an understatement.  We began our trek at historic Glasscock Cemetery then journeyed on horse trails full of mud, sadly neglected trails on Cooper Mt., Standing Stone State Forest, and the State Park.  Don't even think about going on this hike without Randy to guide you!  We saw huge trees in the remote area that have not been logged, many wildflowers, table rocks, rock shelters, waterfalls, dripping springs, a huge variety of mushrooms, and trees with two, three and even four trunks.  We played "stump the ranger" with Randy as we would point out flora and fauna for him to identify.  He did not let us down and we learned so many new plants, mushrooms, and trees.  Just don't ever believe the advertised number of miles on one of Randy's hikes and don't ask him to get you to the Park Office the fastest way on the Lake Trail!!!  We were tired but happy after a very challenging and informative hike.

Saturday, August 11, 2012: Beaman Park.  Nancy Juodenas: I had three hikers besides myself.  It was a nice leisurely hike.  No one was in a hurry.  We hiked to the Nature Center and there was a lot going on there, (geo-cacheing, co-housing seminar, hummingbirds).  They will be catching and banding hummingbirds next Saturday (August 18).  Then we hiked down the creek to get back to the parking lot.  Saw quite a few interesting mushrooms and a few summer wildflowers.

August Hike Poster in Cumberland Transit entrance!

Saturday, July 28, 2012.  Doug Burroughs led a group of 8 hikers to the loop trail at Colditz Cove (between Allardt and Rugby).  There was good water in Rutledge Falls, which some of us took advantage of to cool off a little.  Then, we drove over to Rugby and hiked the Meeting of the Waters Trail and ended up at the Gentlemen's Swimming Hole.  Several of us got in for a short swim.  We had lunch afterward at the Harrow Road Cafe in Rugby before walking around to a couple of the sights in town.  Of course, we had to stop by Highland Manor Winery to stock up on the way home to Nashville.