Saturday, May 23 – Head of the Crow State Park – Buggytop Trail and Natural Bridge. Sewanee.4.5 miles rated moderate. We will hike to Lost Cove Cave on the Buggytop trail. This is one ofthe plateau’s most impressive cave entrances. The mouth of the cave is carved out of a 150-footcliff. After hiking the Buggytop Trail, we will stop at the Sewanee Natural Bridge to see thelargest known natural bridge in this area. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. For moreinformation or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
JUNE 2026
Tuesday-Thursday, June 2-June 4 - Great Smoky Mountains Camping and Hiking Event. Balsam Mountain Campground. Joint event with the Highland Rim chapter. The campground is located near Cherokee, North Carolina and is off the Blue Ridge Parkway. The campground, at the elevation gain of 5,310 ft. is the highest in the park in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and offers cool summers. We will hike the Hemphill Bald, Caldwell Fork, and Rough Fork Trails Loop Hike on Tuesday June 3 and is a 13.7-mile loop, 2,240 ft. elevation gain and rated moderate. This loop offers grand views from Hemphill Bald and penetrates old-growth forest. On June 4 after breaking camp, we will hike the 2.6 miles one-way, moderate Flat Creek Trail with a shuttle and has a 570 ft. elevation gain. To secure your spot in the beautiful Balsam Mountain Campground, register early with Joan Hartvigsen at 931-636-2914 or jhartvigs@comcast.net.
Saturday, June 6 – Tim’s Ford State Park. We will hike the Lost Creek Overlook Trail and a portion of the Evans Point Trail aka Ray Branch Shoreline Trail. We will hike approximately 7.5 miles in and out and our turn around sport will be at the Devil’s Den Cave. Along the Lost Creek Overlook Trail, we will walk across 2 suspension bridges over the forest canopy. You will walk along the lake on parts of the Evans Point Trail. This is rated easy on the terrain and moderate for the distance. Meet at the Tim’s Ford Visitor Center Park Office at 9:30am. Wear sturdy boots/shoes, bring plenty of hydration, snacks and lunch. Hoping to find an area around the cave for a lunch spot. Contact Cheryl Smith for more information and to rsvp at mimicheryl67@gmail.com or text at 931-580-0862.
Saturday, June 13 – Stones River National Battlefield – Murfreesboro. 3.6-mile loop trail rated easy. The trail is flat and there are access points to leave the trail. This loop hike goes throughout the preserved portion of the battlefield where the Union and the Confederacy battled for control of the road and railroad connecting Nashville with states to the south. With troops totaling more than 80,000 men combined, the two armies fought during the three-day period, starting December 31, 1862. We’ll stop at the Visitor Center for a slide show and displays about this battle and the Civil War. We will also enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Tuesday-Friday, June 16-19 – Camping, kayaking, and hiking. Joint event with the Highland Rim chapter. Camping at the Rattler Ford Group Campground in the Nantahala National Forest, near Robbinsville, North Carolina and kayaking Santeetlah Lake and Fontana Lake. We will visit Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, Huckleberry Knob and Hooper Bald on the Cherohala Skyway. The Cherohala Skyway is a scenic highway in Tennessee and North Carolina. The wild azaleas bloom in June. Reserve your spot in the campsite by contacting Joan Hartvigsen at 931-636-2914 or jhartvigs@comcast.net.
Wednesday, June 17 – Percy Warner Park – Nashville. We will hike Mossy Ridge and Harpeth Woods Loop approximately 9.4 miles rated moderate with a 1,300ft elevation gain. The trail traverses open meadows, crosses a few springs and meanders through gorgeous woodland. Meet at the Mossy Ridge Trailhead parking lot at 9:00 A.M. Wear proper footwear, bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and hiking poles are recommended. Please contact Joe Campbell if you plan on hiking. Text to 903-237-9581 or email to rjoecampbell@icloud.com.
Thursday, June 25 – Burgess Falls and Cummins Falls State Parks – Cookeville Area. We will visit Cummins Falls State Park first for a 3.9-mile loop rated moderate. The Falls Overlook Trail leads to an overlook and is rated moderate. Then the River Trail goes downstream to the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River and two river crossings to the base of Cummins Falls. An option is to continue past the overlook to visit the base of Cummins Falls. There is a Gorge Access Pass of $7.68 (purchased at the Visitor Center) that is required to visit the base of the breathtaking 75-foot waterfall and is rated strenuous. After Cummins Falls State Park, we will drive 30 minutes to Burgess Falls State Park. We will hike the 1.5-mile loop rated easy. We’ll take the River Trail down the Falling Water River passing Upper Falls, Middle Falls and finally the 136-foot Burgess Falls. The we’ll join the Ridge Trail, walking along the rim of the Falling Water River Gorge before returning to the trailhead on the Ranger Road. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Saturday, June 27 – Walls of Jericho – Alabama. This 6.8-mile hike is 1,335’ in elevation gain and rated difficult. Plan to meet at the trailhead on the Alabama side of the state line on Alabama Hwy 79/TN Hwy 16 south of Winchester, Tennessee, at 9:00 A.M. Wear proper footwear, bring plenty of water, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray. Hiking poles recommended. There is aportable toilet at the trailhead. Please contact Joe Campbell if you plan to hike. Text to 903-237-9581 or email to rjoecampbell@icloud.com.
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