Saturday, February 23rd: A small group of three hikers from Nashville TTA spent a pleasant day hiking the 5.5 mile length of the Bearwaller Gap Trail near Carthage Tennessee.  From the Defeated Creek trailhead, once we got over the first knob and down the steep downhill trail bed on the other side, the trail bed itself was not an issue.  We wound around coves, across streams, and over ridges close to but high above the shoreline of Cordell Hull Lake.  Many of the streambeds that had been dry a few days before when the trail was scouted were now, due to the recent rain, flowing well.  With the leaves off the trees, we had excellent views to the lake and through the open forest.  The hike started off cool and overcast but the sun was out and we were much warmer by the time we finished the  uphill climb the ends the trail at the Tater Knob Overlook.