Bearwaller Gap - Sara

This hike was originally scheduled for Saturday, January 24, but because of the predicted ice and snow for the weekend, we changed the hike to the day before on Friday. It was a beautiful clear day along Cordell Hull Lake. Cordell Hull  Lake is a reservoir in the Cumberland River impounded by Cordell Hull Dam. We started the hike at the Defeated Creek Park trailhead and along the way we had a choice to take an easy section (1.0) or a difficult section (.5). We chose the difficult section that goes closer to the lake but we managed the steep and rocky sections. There's new signs and benches that weren't there the last time we hiked this trail. We enjoyed lunch at the campground and Alan joined us since he had started the hike at the Tater Look Overlook. We ended the hike at the Tater Knob Overlook with beautiful views of Cordell Hull Lake and the dam. Hikers were Jay Brain, Jean Breuer, Alan Nguyen, Sara Pollard and Todd S.

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Fiery Gizzard - Cheryl

The chapter hiked Fiery Gizzard trail today. We hiked the Grundy Day Loop and up to Ravens Point where we sat for lunch. Saw several waterfalls today and lots of icicles along the way. One area of rocks were iced over and we had to take extra precautions navigating them. We ended up with 10.3 miles for the day. 

Those in attendance with leader Cheryl Smith were Sara Pollard, Jay Brain, and Martina Terrazas from Murfreesboro chapter. From Plateau chapter we had Mandy Mew. From Nashville chapter we had Kim Bowers.  Other hikers that joined us were Shy Murphy, Bob Phelps, Tara McCann, Angie Shepherd, and Carol Hearn. 

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Short Springs State Natural Area - Sara

 

Sara Pollard led a 5 mile hike at Short Springs State Area in Tullahoma. It was a cold morning plus snow flurries appeared in the parking lot before we started the hike. We hiked clockwise to Busby Falls Trail crossing the bridge over Bobo Creek and hiked the Laurel Bluff Loop Trail. Then we continued on the Machine Falls Trail stopping at the wooden platform overlooking Machine Falls. After exploring the falls we had lunch before starting our hike on the Abams Falls loop. It was a cold day, but we still enjoyed the hike. Hikers were Jay Brain, Craig Doucette, Trudy Kettenback, Brenda LeBlanc, Sarah Lovett, James Mohs, Sara Pollard, Todd S., and Cynthia Skidmore.

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Percy Warner Park - Cheryl

On January 3, the chapter hiked at Percy Warner Park.  We hiked the Mossy Ridge Trail loop for a total of 5.25 miles. Highlight of the trail was the chimney and foundation from a cabin built in the 1920’s by the WPC.  It was called Betsy Ross cabin and used by Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. 

Those in attendance with hike leader, Cheryl Smith, were Sara Pollard and Anna Lina Buckley.  We also had Zary Rahimi and Kelly Jackson to join us. 

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New Year's Day Hike - Long Hunter SP - Sara

Mark Hubbard (Nashville) and Sara Pollard led 23 hikers from four different chapters to hike our annual New Year's Day hike at Long Hunter State Park. Three of the hikers didn't make it in time for the group photo but were still able to join the hike. We hiked the Bryant Grove Trail and enjoyed lunch under the pavillion. It was a beautiful and sunny day. The lake water level was low, but we still had great views of Percy Priest Lake. 

Hikers from the Columbia/Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Sumner Trails chapters were: Lisa Blamer, Zayra Bowman, Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Debra Dodd, Wayne Drown, Karen Hernan, Mark Hubbard, Pete Jacobs, Rene Jacobs, Karen Jones, Arlo Owens, Debbie Owens, Sara Pollard, Kim Roberts, Jennifer Rodgers, Lynn Rosser, John Ruth, Jan Safavi, Jane Tarver, Belinda Vanatta, and Raisa Zavelin.  

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Cumberland Mountain SP - Cheryl

On December 27, the chapter hiked at Cumberland Mountain SP.  We hiked Pioneer Short Trail, Pioneer Trail and the Byrd Lake Trail for a total of 5.25 miles. We did a figure 8 loop so that we could cross the swinging bridge. On the Pioneer Trail, the highlight was what park rangers call fat man squeeze. We saw lots of rock formations, a small waterfall, and crossed a few small streams. At the end of the hike, we went down beside the famous bridge there that the CCC men built and captured photos of the dam side. We then went to the pier for group photo with the bridge behind us. 

Those in attendance with hike leader, Cheryl Smith, were Lora McBride and other TTA members John Gizelar, Sumner chapter, Frances & Greg Scott from Columbia-Franklin chapter.  We had Misty Fell & Sheila Miller from the Plateau chapter. Sheila brought her daughter Rachel Choi and her friend Mihwa Kim from Korea. Sarah Snell joined us as well.

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Head of the Crow SP - Cheryl

On December 25, the chapter traveled to Sewanee, TN to hike at the new Head of the Crow State Park. We hiked the new Pack Hollow Trail and the Sherwood Day Loop for a total of 6 miles. Each trail had several rock formations that were interesting.  Pack Hollow Trail has a small stream crossing. The trail ends abruptly at 1.6 miles and you return back to the junction that begins Sherwood Day Loop. The Sherwood Day Loop trail has a fascinating natural bridge and a beautiful overlook. It also has a rock formation with a small crevice you can go through if you wish. 

Those in attendance with hike leader, Cheryl Smith, was her grandson Shy Murphy. Also in attendance was Frances & Greg Scott, and Ginger Bohm all from the Columbia-Franklin chapter.

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