Tennessee Trails- Murfreesboro: Stones River National Battlefield

Hikes,Floats,Friendship and Fun!

Tuesday March 13-Monthly Meeting- Join us for a journey to the lands of Nepal, Mount Everest base camp in Tibet and other places in between as Marcia Medford and her husband Bill take us there through the magic of photography and the spoken word. We are most fortunate that they have agreed to share their photos and stories. Perhaps we can dream someday of repeating this wonderful feat ourselves…if not in real life, then in our dreams!

Sara Pollard's Info:sara.pollard@mtsu.edu or 615-714-3610.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Stones River National Battlefield

I arranged and led a trip with the Murfreesboro Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association to the Stones River National Battlefield with one of our members, Jim Schroeder using his immense knowledge of the battle to narrate the hike.

We had about 20 people who braved the cold to start, but then the temperature rose into the low 50's and turned out to be a perfect day. We went to Red Robin after the hike for a lunch. Special thanks to Mr. Schroeder for the use of his expertise on the Battle of Stones River.

Tony

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CHAPTER ACTIVITIES:

MARCH 2012

Sat. March 3 —Green Mountain (Certain & Varnadoe Trails)—Bob Goodwin

Sat. March 10 —Varnedoe and Certain Trails, Green Mountain, Huntsville, Alabama. This is a joint hike with the Highland Rim Chapter. The Varnedoe Trail is the newest of the Land Trust trails and was completed during the summer of 2009. It allows a complete loop on Green Mountain which includes the Sugar Tree and the Certain Trails. Bob Goodwin and Sandra Parker will lead this moderate+ 5 mile hike which will include panoramic views of Huntsville and the Tennessee Valley as well as sharp rock outcroppings. The trail is in good condition, but rocky and uneven in places. About half way, there will be a 300 foot elevation gain in a half mile, and then the trail follows the top of Green Mountain and is mostly flat. Near the end, there is a 350 foot elevation loss in about a half mile. We will leave from the Cracker Barrel on Church Street at Interstate 24, Exit 81 in Murfreesboro at 8:00 AM. Distance from the meeting place to Green Mountain is about 90 miles. For more information and to register for the hike, please contact Bob Goodwin at CAMEL40@earthlink.net or 256-564-8417.

Sat-Sun March 10-11 —Backpack, Prentice Cooper area—12 miles rated moderate. We will be hiking the Pot Point Loop trail which follows the side of Suck Creek Mountain and includes some stunning views of the Tennessee River Gorge. The trail has enough changes in altitude to make it interesting. Most of the mileage will be on the first day. Hopefully some spring wildflowers will be blooming! For more information contact Charlotte Broyles at broylescha@hotmail.com or home phone 615-890-6308.

Tue. March 13 —Chapter Meeting, Join us for a journey to the lands of Nepal, Mount Everest base camp in Tibet and other places in between as Marcia Medford and her husband Bill take us there through the magic of photography and the spoken word. We are most fortunate that they have agreed to share their photos and stories. Perhaps we can dream someday of repeating this wonderful feat ourselves…if not in real life, then in our dreams!

Sat. March 17 —Edgar Evins Waterfall Tour. Reserve early,spaces fill up fast.

(1.) Cummins Falls... Easy in out out trail...Less than ¼ mile each way.

(2.) City Lake Park...Paved easy trail...About 200 yards.

(3.) Hidden Hollow Falls...Easy paved trail.

Ride vans to all three falls in the Cookeville area. Short driving distances from each. We will have lunch at the Golden Corral buffet in Cookeville. Reservations will open February 1st at the park office. Phone 1-800-250-8619 or (931) 858-2114 for reservations. Fee is $10 per person and buy your own lunch. Visit http://foeesp.ne1.net/ for more information.

Sat. March 24 —Loop consisting of the Overlook, Schoal Creek and other trails, David Crockett State Park, Lawrenceburg, TN. This is a joint hike with the Columbia/Franklin Chapter. Bob Goodwin and Sandra Parker will lead this 5+ mile moderate hike which includes panoramic views of the valley, picturesque views of the meadows, lake scenes and a rushing creek. There will be an elevation gain of 200 feet, then a slow descent to the lake; then an ascent of 250 feet (with about 80 steps up and shortly after, the same down). Then a nice scenic hike along the creek. Overall the condition of the trail is very good. After our hike we will have lunch at the park restaurant. In addition, this park has a very nice historical museum that you may want to see after lunch. We will leave from the Murfreesboro Sam’s Club overflow parking lot next to Hardees at 8 AM. Distance from Sam’s Club to David Crockett State Park is about 90-100 miles depending on the route (about 1 ½-2 hours). For more information and to register for the hike, please contact Bob Goodwin at CAMEL40@earthlink.net or 256-564-8417.

Sat. March 31 — Little Swan Trail at Old Natchez Trace; 4.3 miles, moderate. One of the most fabled “deaths” in Tennessee occurred near here when famed explorer Meriwether Lewis was found with part of his head blown off. Was it murder or suicide? Well, let’s walk the trail and see if we can find that out. This 4.3 mile loop will start at the monument and go past Lewis’ grave until it forks to the Little Swan where the moss covered trail curves through a forest of small oaks, descends via switchbacks into a hollow and runs past stands of oak and tulip poplar rising above beds of Christmas fern. Dogwoods bloom here in April so maybe we can get an early glimpse. We will have lunch on the trail. We will carpool from Murfreesboro to the trail head. For information or to register, contact Tony Jones at 615-397-4463 or tonjon1968@gmail.com

APRIL 2012

Sat. 4/7—Bowling Farm Wildflower Walk & Potluck Social; Monterey, TN. Join us for our annual walk & social at the Monterey farm of Winston & Billie Jo Bowling. We will have two hike options: 1) a 1.5 mile total walk to the creek (wildflower row) and then 2) we continue from the creek, cross it and continue a total of 4 miles back to the house. You can choose to have Mr. Bowling haul you back up the hill in his RTV after hiking the first short portion. Even if you cannot hike, please come out to enjoy the friendship and social. The hike is moderate due to elevation change and a creek crossing. Please bring a covered dish to share. For information or to register, contact Tony Jones at tonjon1968@gmail.com or 615-397-4463. There will be a carpool from Murfreesboro to be announced later.

Tue. April 10 —Chapter Meeting

Sat. 4/14—Lookout Mountain—Craven House/Sunset Rock Loop via Rifle Pit, Upper Truck, Gum Springs, Bluff, and Mountain. Approx 4.4 miles. Moderate due to elevation changes. Enjoy beautiful trails along the way while stopping for a sack lunch at Sunset Rock. There is a gradual 600 foot total elevation change with the exception of a 100 foot climb to Sunset Rock and/or Point Park. Parking once we get there will be at Craven House. Meet at Sam’s in Murfreesboro and depart at 7:30 AM. Contact Jim Schroeder at 615-896-3023 or http://us.mc1807.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=doughboyjim@comcast.net to register for hike. Sturdy hiking boots recommended as some of the trail is rough

Sat. 4/21—Piney River Trail segment of the Cumberland Trail, Spring City, TN. 10 miles. Moderate. We will start from the picnic area on Shut-in Gap Road and a car shuttle will be necessary. The trail follows Duskin Creek and Piney River - crossing them several times, along with a 100 foot suspension bridge and several other bridges. We will take the spur trail to Spider Den Bluff and then go past the White Pine Cascades to the Newby Forest Camp trailhead. Bring water, lunch, and wear sturdy boots. We plan to stop for dinner on the way home. Contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or email sarabpollard@gmail.com

Sat. 4/28—Stone Door/Big Creek Gulf/Big Creek Rim; 8 miles, Difficult. Savage Gulf State Natural Area. Are you ready for a fun, difficult hike? Join us for a trip through the Great Stone Door and along the Big Creek Gulf Trail. We will stop along the way to see Ranger Falls and will end up at Alum Campsite and will take the easier Big Creek Rim trail back to the Door and the Ranger Station. This hike is DIFFICULT due to rock hopping, steep descents down the Door, and elevation changes. Please bring your lunch, plenty of water and hiking sticks are recommended. For information or to register contact Tony Jones at tonjon1968@gmail.com or 615-397-4463. There will be a carpool from Murfreesboro to be announced later.

MAY 2012

Sat. 5/5—Collins West, Suter & Horsepound Falls—Tony Jones

Tue. 5/8—Chapter Meeting

Sat. 5/12—Cumberland Trail Soddy Section—Jim Schroeder

Sat. 5/19—Cloudland Canyon Rim Trail—Anna/Fount Bertram

Sat. 5/26—Savage Gulf (Stone Door to Greeter w/shuttle)—Tony Jones

JUNE 2012

Sat. 6/2—Nat’l Trails Day—Barfield Trail Work

Sat. 6/9—Hidden Passage Trail at Pickett State Park—Jim Schroeder

Tue. 6/12—Chapter Meeting

Sat. 6/16—Cumberland Caverns Commercial Tour only--walking with lighted pathways led by Tony Jones

Tennessee Trails- Murfreesboro

Hikes,Floats,Friendship and Fun!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Stones River National Battlefield

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