The Nashville Chapter coordinated with the Highland Rim Chapter to organize a hike in the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness in Scotts Gulf. We covered at least 9 miles connecting the Chestnut Mountain Ranch Trail, the Caney Fork River Trail, and the Polly Branch Falls trail into a big loop. We had a total of eleven hikers. The first trail was relatively flat along the rim of the gulf, but the Caney Fork Trail was much more difficult, the several sections blocked by downed trees, a steep section with essentially no actual trail, and a stream crossing with a large volume of cold and rapidly flowing water. There were excellent and closeup views of a full Caney Fork River, though. The final section was the climb back up to the rim, with at least three waterfalls on or not too far off the trail. Most of us headed to El Tapatio in Cookeville for our post hike repast. Thanks to Michael Glennon, Highland Rim Chapter, for all the photos!
