April 18th, 2009 --Soddy Gorge Hike Report13 TTA members -- 7 from Soddy Daisy, 4 from Murfreesboro, and 1 each from the Upper Cumberland and Nashville Chapters -- gathered to hike the Soddy Gorge from the Deep Creek rock mining road to HWY 111. Parking shuttle vehicles well off the shoulder on the south side of HWY 111 just east of Board Camp Creek, the group met at Sluder Lane and Hotwater Road, scattering 6 vehicles around the intersection (It sure would have been nice and a lot safer had the long promised trailhead parking facility been in place).
Based on a report that the drive to the rock mining road had been potentially blocked, we departed the assembly point at 10:15am EDT and walked the mile along Old Hotwater Road to the rock mining road, only to find it had not been blocked. Proceeding to the trail and down to the bridge crossing point of Deep Creek, the stream was easily crossed.
Upon reaching Big Soddy, we found the stream flow faster and deeper than anticipated based on the water levels in North Chick as recorded at the on-line USGS data bank, with levels falling below the 5.9 foot level at 6:am. (As North Chick goes, so goes Big Soddy). With 5.0 generally considered an easily doable crossing level, it was anticipated that Big Soddy would be easily crossable also. But this was not to be the case. Not wanting to give up completing the hike, considerable searching and testing for a viable crossing point was undertaken. Two were located just upstream of the proposed bridge site and one quite a distance downstream. Donning "water" footwear, all hikers eventually made it across the stream in knee to thigh water depths at the various locations, but not without some casualties, which included 3 hikers slipping and becoming partially submerged, one lost trekking pole, one injured hand, and one water logged cell phone, the writer being one of the victims. Gee it sure would be nice to have the required bridge built at this location some day -- and also a lot safer.
With this crossing taking considerable time, we opted to enjoy lunch on the north bank of Big Soddy before proceeding onward in a warm and drying sun. The rest of the hike was uneventful as compared to the Big Soddy crossing although we all were subjected to showers at the rock wall area along Board Camp Creek. Sections of the trail were as pretty as ever, especially along the reaches of Board Camp. A number of wild flowers were in bloom and there were a surprising number of scarlet buckeye flowers along the way. Stops were made along various scenic spots for enjoyment and picture taking.
The trail was in reasonably good shape with the possible exception of a number of large downfalls and areas where vegetation is starting to sprout in the trail path.
Reaching the shuttle vehicles on HWY 111 at about 5:pm EDT after a GPS recorded distance of 8+ miles, we again assembled at Sluder Lane to claim the vehicles and wish each other fond good-byes.
Note: Although there was some disagreement regarding the classification of the hike, it was generally agreed by the majority that the overall rating of "moderate" with three steep and somewhat difficult climbs (Deep Creek, Big Soddy Creek, and the wood step area) probably best describes the hike in the south to north direction. However the difficult stream crossing of Big Soddy encountered on this trek probably shades the above rating somewhat, but it certainly added a touch of excitement and daring to the hike..
Submitted by Jim Schroeder
Photos by Linda Henley and Don Deakins...Soddy Daisy TTA
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