Chapter Hike Schedule

FEBRUARY 2026

Tuesday, February 10 – Chapter Meeting – 7:00pm. Barfield Crescent Park Wilderness Station. Jane Powell, a Certified Tennessee State Naturalist, from Boro Birders will present BirdEd for beginner birders. 

Thursday, February 12 – Owl's Hill Nature Sanctuary - 545 Beech Creek Road South, Brentwood. 3 miles rated moderate to strenuous. Meet in the Georgetown Square Kroger parking lot (1776 W. Northfield Blvd, Murfreesboro) in time to leave at 8:45am CST. The drive to Owl's Hill is about an hour, and carpooling is encouraged. When we arrive, we'll get an introduction to the property from a staff member, then hike a combination of these trails (going counterclockwise): Sharp Creek, Haircut, Hilltop, Loblolly, and South Ridge for about 3 miles. Most of these are moderate, but South Ridge is rated strenuous due to a steep climb up to the ridge for an elevation gain of almost 300 ft. We can stop along the way for lunch or eat at picnic tables when we get back to the visitor center. Be sure to wear good hiking boots/shoes, bring hiking poles if you use them, water, snacks, and lunch. Owl's Hill has a $5 day use fee but you can pay in advance. Pets are not permitted at the Sanctuary. For more information or to sign up, contact Katy Ginanni, rpcvlibrarian@yahoo.com or 828-226- 6837. She will also have a link for online check in. 

Saturday, February 14 – Sewanee Loop – 6.5 to 7 miles rated moderate. Meet at Lake Cheston parking lot off Cosby Lane in Sewanee, TN at 9:00am CST. We will hike on the Cheston Trail to the Perimeter Trail to Memorial Cross, take Tennessee Williams trail (visit Apostles Chapel) to University Avenue, (visit All Saints Chapel), take Abbo’s Alley (visit the Labyrinth) to South Carolina Ave, to Clara’s Point Rd, back on the Cheston Trail to the parking lot. Wear good hiking shoes, bring water, snacks and hiking poles. Option for lunch at Shenanigans after the hike. For more information or to sign up, contact Joe Campbell at 903-237-9581 or rjoecampbell@icloud.com. 

Thursday, February 19 - Twin Forks Trail – Murfreesboro. 8 miles rated moderate. We will hike a segment of the 20-mile trail that goes along the banks of the East Fork and West Fork Stones River near Murfreesboro. We will hike from the Murfreesboro Greenway trailhead on Central Valley Road to the East Fork Recreation Area. This is an excellent time of the year to hike this trail because we will be able to see river bluffs and bottomlands in this part of Rutherford County. This is also a horse trail, so if it rains the day before, the hike will be postponed because the trail will be extremely muddy. Wear sturdy boots, bring snacks, lunch and plenty of water. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com. 

Saturday, February 21 – Stone Door Loop – Savage Gulf State Park. 6.8 miles rated moderate. Meet at Stone Door trailhead at the end of Stone Door Road off Hwy 56 near Beersheba Springs, TN at 9:00am CST. We will hike the Stone Door Loop to the Stone Door overlook, follow the Big Creek Rim Trail to Alum Gap and the Laurel Trail back to the trailhead. Wear hiking good shoes, bring water, snacks and hiking poles. We will stop for lunch/snacks at the Alum Gap Campsite. For more information or to sign up, contact Joe Campbell at 903- 237-9581 or rjoecampbell@icloud.com. 

Saturday, February 28 – John Ruth’s Breakfast & Hike – Cedars of Lebanon State Park. 5 miles rated easy. Meet at John Ruth’s Campsite 91 for breakfast at 9:00 am CT and the hike begins at 10:30 am CT. We will hike the Hidden Springs Trail. Come just for the hike if you want or just breakfast. For those coming for breakfast, please RSVP to John Ruth by Monday, February 23. Text 615-485-6185 or email johnruth@comcast.net. Please register to have current information. For more information or to sign up, contact John Ruth. 

MARCH 2026

Saturday-Sunday, March 21-22 – Cumberland Trail Backpack – Graysville Mountain Section of the Laurel-Snow Segment. Total of 15 miles and rated strenuous. The hike starts at the Roaring Creek trailhead on Brayton Mountain Road and will continue to the Laurel Snow State Natural Area trailhead in Dayton. We will set up camp about a mile before getting to Highway 30. The trail provides access to the top of Graysville Mountain and includes an old mining area, seasonal waterfall, and spectacular views of the town of Graysville and the Cranmore Valley. This is not a beginner's backpack and is limited to 10 backpackers. A short shuttle is involved, and hiking poles are highly recommended. You must register because this trip could be cancelled to due to inclement weather. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.

APRIL 2026

Tuesday-Friday, April 28-May 1. Big South Fork Camping and Hiking. Blue Heron and Yahoo Falls Area. Stearns, Kentucky. Four tent campsites have been reserved in the Blue Heron Campground for this joint event with the Murfreesboro and Highland Rim chapters. We will explore the Blue Heron Mining Community, Bear Creek and Yamacraw Bridge area. Also a trip to the Yahoo Falls Scenic Area which has the tallest waterfall in Kentucky. The Sheltowee Trace passes through this northern end of the park to head south into Tennessee. Expect to see an abundance of wildflowers and the best river gorge overlooks in the Big South Fork area. Register early because this trip will fill up. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.