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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Stones River National Battlefield

Sara Pollard had planned to lead this 3.6-mile loop hike but was only able to hike the first mile after getting everyone signed in. She had a previous engagement and Tony Jones agreed to lead the hike for her. The trail is flat and there are several signs to read about the history of the battlefield where the Union and the Confederacy battled for control of the road and railroad connecting Nashville and states to the south. Hikers were Susan Banner, Tammy Gross, Tony Jones and Jay Legenhausen. 

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Peacock Hill Nature Park

Jay Brain led a joint hike with Mark Hubbard of the Nashville chapter at Peacock Hill Nature Park in College Grove. Nine hikers hiked about 5.5 miles with maybee 1000 feet elevation gain total. Trails were in good shap, temps in the mid 50's. Hiked up to the tower on Grackle Hill for a view, then Hogg Hill Trail to an overview with a view to the north. Next was the Chapel Trail with a snack break at the little chapel. Finished up on the Saddle Ridge Trail and another overlook view. Hikers were Jay Brain, Jeannie Courtney, Cary Davidson, Debbie Dodd, Mark Hubbard, Debbie Owens, Lynn Rosser, Amy Sutton and Gloria Dale Williams.

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Hinch Mt. segment of the Cumberland Trail Backpack

Murfreesboro TTA led a hike on the Hinch Mt. Segment of the Cumberland trail. We parked at the Head of the Sequatchie and shuttled 10 backpackers to Stinging Fork Falls to start the hike. This was a 16 mile backpack. This is a physically demanding hike through beautiful mountains. There are creeks, waterfalls, and different ecosystems. We got to see a large Great Horned owl which flew down right beside us on the trail and then landed in a tree. We camped along Soak Creek where the weather dropped down into the 20's. 

Hikers were Cynthia Skidmore, Kathy Stutts, Sara Pollard, Wendy Fish, Tammy Hendrick, Curt Thomas, Cindy Strang, Jean Breuer, and Craig and Lora McBride.

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