Tims Ford Lake Paddle

 

The Highland Rim and Murfreesboro chapters had originally planned an Elk River Float, but TVA was releasing a lot of water from the Tims Ford Dam and the current was too swift. So, it was decided to reschedule it and paddle around Tims Ford Lake instead. We put in at the Anderton Branch boat ramp, paddled over to Ray Branch for a break, then around Big and Little Islands. We got out at Little Island before returning back to the boat ramp. Nice breeze and a beautiful day to be on the lake. Kayakers were Jim Barritt, Chuck Deen, Patty Deen, Michael Glennon, Joan Hartvigsen,  Tony Jones, Sara Pollard, Bob and Laura Qualman. 

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Stone Door - Sara

We had 10 hikers to meet at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station to start our hike. There was a chance of rain, but fortunately just stayed cloudy all day. We first hiked the Laurel Falls loop and lots of water was coming over the ledge. Then we headed down the Stone Door trail to the narrow passage down and back up through the Stone Door. We continued our hike along the Big Creek Rim trail to the Alum Gap group campsite to enjoy our lunch. We finished the loop along the Laurel Trail passing the foundation of an old moonshine still.  HIkers were Amanda Carkhuff, John Earthman, Eleanor Gilchrist, Dan Griswold, Joan Hartvigsen, Chris Hoffman, Tony Jones, Mary Luppenger, Sara Pollard, and Marietta Poteet.

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Normandy Lake Paddle

It was a perfect day to take our kayaks out on Normandy Lake near Manchester. The put in was a nice flat, grassy area at Barton Springs Public Use Area. We paddled along the shoreline to the Cedar Point campground and then down Riley Creek. Had lunch along the lake that had a picnic table. There weren't many boats on the lake, and we had a little head wind, but it was still a pleasant trip. Paddlers were Jim  Barritt, Ron Dunn, Joan Hartvigsen and Sara Pollard.

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Tennessee River Gorge Paddle

There were 9 folks who paddled the Tennessee River. We put in at Sullivan's Landing on Highway 41 and paddled over 9 miles to the Guild Public Access Area below the old Hales Bar Dam. It was a little chilly and the sun came out only a few times, but we paddled the entire time since there was nowhere to stop and get out of our boats. We saw an oprey's nest with chicks, a beautiful ball eagle and a barge passed us on the river. Paddlers were Jim Barritt, Cathy Conley, Joan Hartvigsen, Tony Jones, Sarah Lovett, Sara Pollard, Todd Stanley, Brian and Ruth Wofford. 

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Virgin Falls- Sara

The rain forecast didn't keep 4 hardy hikers from hiking 8.5 miles at Virgin Falls near Sparta. Because of the light rain, we only have a group picture when we stopped for lunch at Virgin Falls. The rain stopped long enough for us to eat our lunch. It was a steady rain until we got back to the trailhead and then the sun popped out.  We hiked in on the new Hemlock Trail to avoid the cable crossing because we thought the water level would be too high for the creek crossing. After enjoying lunch at Virgin Falls, we decided to hike back on the original trail which is more scenic than the Hemlock Trail. We passed Big Laurel Falls which was spectacular. The trail was muddy and slippery, but we managed the cable crossing and smaller crossing okay. Hikers were Morgan Brown, Joe Campbell, Tony Jones and Sara Pollard.

Savage Gulf - Anna Lina

There were 14 hikers and one dog that participated in Saturday, March 29th's hike in the Savage Gulf. We started the hike on the Greeter Loop where we briefly stopped at the Greeter Homeplace before continuing on to view the upper and lower falls of Greeter Falls. After enjoying the waterfall, we then hiked to Boardtree Falls. We then continued on the Greeter trail, over a swinging bridge and followed the trail to Big Bluff Overlooked where we enjoyed the views and had a water break and snacks. We then re-traced our tracks back to the Greeter Loop. Seven of us then took the .5 mile out and back trail, to Blue Hole. The rain held off during our hike and the temperatures were very nice.

Hikers were Anna Lina Buckley (Murfreesboro), Joe Campbell (Murfreesboro), Amanda Carkhuff (Murfreesboro), Debra Dodd (Nashville), Chris, Caryn & Cassi Garabedian, John Gizelar (Sumner Trails), Karen Jones (Sumner Trails), Marietta Poteet (Highland RIm), John Ruth (Sumner Trails), Peggy & Mike Shirey (Murfreesboro), and Rebecca Zuckerman.

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Frozen Head State Park Backpack

We started Friday's hike at the Morgan County Visitor's Center in Wartburg. The Cumberland Trail will eventually go past the center (there's already a medallion on the sidewalk) since Wartburg will be an official trail town. We started the CT trail behind the visitor center and came back on the CHS loop. The CHS loop runs behind the Central High School and there's a nice pond and picnic area on the trail.  After lunch at Subway, we headed over to Frozen Head State Park to set up camp along Judge Branch. Saturday morning, we started our hike at the Panther Branch trailhead, and stopped off at Debord Falls and Emory Falls. We hiked the Panther Branch Trail to the North Old Mac Trail on our way to the Lookout Tower. We saw a few wildflowers along the way and the views were spectacular.  On Sunday, after breaking up camp and on our way home, we will explored the Obed Wild and Scenic River north of Wartburg. We'll hiked the Boulder Trail and then the Lilly Bluff Overlook. Backpackers were Patti Bradley, Sara Pollard, Lynn Rosser, and Bryan Tauchen. 

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