On Saturday, February 27th, seven hikers. led by Nancy Juodenas, met at Natchez Trace State Park for an 8 mile hike around Cub Lake and through forested hardwoods.  Natchez Trace SP is a huge park jointly managed by the state forest service and the state parks. It is also a popular park for trail riding, and there is a 14 mile overnight backpacking trail.

We began our hike at the park headquarters, thinking it would be open and we could use the restrooms.  Too bad!  Park Headquarters are not open on the weekends!!!!  Okay then...onward to the trail head and the 1930's style recreation lodge which was also closed.  As we began our hike around lovely Cub Lake we saw evidence of hardworking beavers and hardworking loggers.  The terrain was gentle and rolling, with quite a few swampy areas that were thankfully bridged.  After rounding the lake about halfway we came to an area that the beavers had dammed up which made it difficult to follow the trail.  But we found a good crossing and later discovered that the park is rerouting the trail to allow for the beavers.  

About that time we ran into Dick McKeen from the Jackson chapter, who was building new trail with his dog McTavish.  Toward end of the hike we crossed the lake on a charming bridge and ended up back at the recreation lodge.  It was a beautiful day to be outdoors and of course we had to stop for sustenance at the Log Cabin Restaurant at the Hurricane Mills exit.

 Cypress Knees

 Dead Snake

 Erin and Jay

 Lakeview

 Lakeview #2

 Spillway

The Group