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.

 

On February 16, six hikers from Nashville drove 2 hours to Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park in Eva TN.  It is a lovely park perched above the Tennessee River/Kentucky Lake.  The temperatures were in the 40s which the intermittent sun helped to feel more like the 50s.  The trail system in this park is organized into 4 interconnecting loops of 3. 5, 10 and 20 miles.  The loops were very well blazed and signed.  We were also provided with a color coded trail map.  It was very easy for hikers in the group to chose either the 5 or 10 mile loop and meet back at the starting place which was the interesting Tennessee River Folklife Center.  Both hiking groups were finished before 2:00, leaving plenty of time to view two very interesting movies at the Center and explore the exhibits.  Later some hikers partook of the abundant antique decor and catfish at the 1850's Log House Restaurant in Camden.  It was a great day for a  winter hike with wonderful views of the river and no bugs!

 

February 9, 2013: University of the South / Sewanee Perimeter Trail Hike: 

Addendum.  GPS map by Karl Dupre

Saturday, February 9, 2013: University of the South: Sewanee Perimeter Trail.  Karl Dupre led a small group of hardy hikers around most of the perimeter trail.  Starting at the University gate on Highway 41A, we hiked through Shakerag Hollow and beyond.  Way beyond.  All the way around to the Memorial Cross with only one shortcut.  About 14.6 miles total.  The day started cold and clear but it warmed up before too long.  There was a lot of water in the streams and falls.

Front row: Nancy Juodenas.  

Back row left to right: Dianna Richter, Doug Burroughs, Amy Sutton, Gloria Dale Williams

Photo by Karl Dupre

Forestry Cabin

Karl Dupre at Dotson Point

Amy Sutton at Dotson Point

Stairs at Morgan's Steep

Dianna Richter

The trail goes behind the waterfall near Proctors Hall

Sunday, January 27, 2013: Montgomery Bell State Park.  It was a good day for hiking: Overcast but no rain and not too cold considering the season.  There was also plenty of water in the streams and lakes.  Good friends, and no ticks!  We hiked the 10 plus mile Montgomery Bell Trail, passing the McAdow Cabin and all of the shelters that were on the trail  We didn't hike the side trail to the Woodland shelter.  The highlight of the hike was spotting an eagle roosting high on a tree across Lake Woodhaven.  It flew off while we were watching it.

McAdow Cabin

Bald Eagle in tree

Beech Tree with moss on the stream bank

 Cedar Glade

At Hall Springs Shelter

Honey Creek - Sunday, November 18, 2012.  Seven intrepid hikers from Nashville hiked and scrambled around the difficult loop at Honey Creek: Karl Dupre, Doug Burroughs, Dianna Richter, Garnett Rush, Gloria Dale Williams, Rachel Jakubovitz, and Kathy Woods.  We had excellent weather and survived the difficult terrain with no injuries!

TTA Rock Creek hike, November 10, 2012.

This was a wonderful Cumberland Plateau hike, with the limestone bluffs, sparkling creek and terrain changes typical of that region.  It is also a place to admire the handiwork of the CTC trail builders, who have made a first-rate hiking trail with numerous small bridges, as well as a huge one further along.  We started at Lower Leggett trailhead, which has a nice paved parking lot. Just 4 of us on this hike, and hardly anyone on the trail either. The fall foliage was colorful in places.  It was a fairly good uphill trek, perhaps 800' elevation. We forked right to the Leggett Overlook, off a short spur trail. It's a very nice overlook for lunch or a snack.  Then we journeyed down into the gorge, and hiked beyond the loop, up to Rock Creek Overlook for lunch.  To finish by 3 pm, we reversed and re-joined the loop, heading back toward the parking lot on the trail, nearer the creek.  We had a couple splendid stops along the creek, which looked pristine.  We figured our total mileage was about 7.2.  A good time was had by all.

Notes to prospective hikers:  This is eastern standard time. If you want to deploy the night before (or after), I can recommend the Best Western motel in Dayton as clean and thrifty. There is also a new French cafe in old downtown Dayton, with a real French chef lady. This is near the courthouse where the Scopes Monkey Trial occurred.   We were alert for monkeys scampering across the road or in the trees, but nothing this time.   Faithfully submitted, Tom Vickstrom.

Jan, Tom, & Wanda.  Photography by Pat Serio.