Thursday, March 26 – Virgin Falls – Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park. 2080 Scotts Gulf Road. Sparta. 9.0 miles rated strenuous. Joint chapter hike with Highland Rim chapter. The trail descends around 900 ft. in elevation along a path that in many areas is rocky with uneven footing. Because this trail is rugged, we will allow 6-7 hours for this hike and will have to maintain a pace to allow plenty of daylight. Virgin Falls State Natural Area is the most-visited state natural area in Tennessee with interesting scenery and features three beautiful waterfalls: Big Laurel Falls, Sheep Cave Falls and Virgin Falls. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Saturday, March 28 – Trail Maintenance – Barfield Crescent Park. 8:00am – 10:30am. We will meet at the Wilderness Station. Join us for a trail assessment and minor maintenance in the Barfield Backcountry! We’ll be checking trail markers, benches and bridges making note of needed repairs. Volunteers should anticipate hiking 3-5 miles. Volunteers also need to dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a water bottle. If you hike with poles, bring those too! Six slots for this event are being reserved for members of the Tennessee Trails Association. To sign up for a slot please register through Outdoor Murfreesboro. The password is TennesseeTrailsAssociation. Contact Lynn Rosser lynnmacrosser@gmail for any questions. Any slots not filled by the TTA by March 14 will be made available to the general public.
APRIL 2026
Saturday, April 11 - Marcella Vivrette Smith Park – Brentwood. All Trails. About 4 miles rated moderate. We will meet at the parking lot at 9am CST. We will do the trails clockwise. First, we will visit Enid’s Eyrie Point via the Red Trail which has one section that is very steep and opens up to a nice, level scenic overlook area. We will then continue along the Blue Trail that consists of uphill and flat sections. Then we will take the Green Trail and then the crossover trail to the Black Trail which can be a little rocky at points. We then rejoin the Blue Trail back to the beginning. Bring water and snacks and lunch. For more information or to sign up, contact Anna Lina Buckley at 318-210-1251 or annalinabuckley@gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 14 – Chapter Meeting – 7:00pm. Barfield Crescent Park Wilderness Station. Allison Davidson, Wellness and Fitness Coordinator with the City of Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation will present a CPR demonstration and talk.
Thursday, April 16 – Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area - Rock Creek Loop. 7.5 miles rated moderately strenuous for terrain, elevation change and length. Joint hike with the Highland Rim and Nashville chapters. Mark Hubbard will lead us on a wildflower hike to see a wide variety of beautiful spring wildflowers. We’ll travel at a pace that allows us to appreciate the natural beauty around us. The trail descends to the rocky, mossy banks of Massey Branch and Rock Creek, passing below bluffs and along the remains of the Stearns logging railway. Wear sturdy boots, bring snacks, lunch and plenty of water. Hiking poles are recommended. For carpool information from Murfreesboro contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com. Register with Mark for hike details and updates at 615-669-3221 or midtn@tnhiker.net.
Saturday, April 18 – Collins Gulf to Horsepound Falls – Savage Gulf State Park. 5 miles rated moderate. Meet at Collins Gulf trailhead at 9:30am. Setting out from Collins West Trailhead, this trail heads downhill, passing West Collins Campground and Suter Falls. Continuing its descent, the route winds its way to the beautiful Horsepound Falls, which is fed by Collins River. The trail is rocky and can get slippery in wet conditions. Wildflowers should be in bloom adding vibrant splashes of color to the surroundings. For more information or to sign up, contact Cheryl Smith at 931-580-0862 or mimicheryl67@gmail.com.
Sunday, April 26 - Flat Rock Cedar Glades Wildflowers – Murfreesboro. 4 miles rated easy to moderate. Joint event with the Highland Rim and Nashville chapters. Middle Tennessee cedar glades and barrens feature wooded sections, meadows, and contrasting rocky areas. We can expect to see over 30 wildflower species, some rare, and many of which are specifically adapted to the unique habitat. We’ll hike at a pace that allows us to appreciate what we’re seeing. Our routes will be relatively flat with only gradual inclines. Some trail segments are rugged, and some may be wet or muddy so choose your footwear accordingly. Afterwards we’ll have lunch at Carmen’s Taqueria in Murfreesboro. Meet in the Flat Rock parking lot at 8:30 AM CDT. Register with Mark Hubbard for details and updates at 615-669-3221 or midtn@tnhiker.net. Tuesday-Friday, April 28-May 1 – Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area camping and hiking. Joint event with the Highland Rim chapter. Four tent campsites have been reserved in the Blue Heron Campground near Stearns, Kentucky. Hikes may include the Blue Heron Loop (6.6 miles), Catawba Overlook (3.2 miles), Dick Gap Falls (4.6 miles) and Yamacraw Bridge to Negro Creek (6.0 miles). There’s also the option of hiking in the Yahoo Falls area (9.9 miles). There will be a potluck dinner Tuesday evening and dinner either Wednesday or Thursday in a Stearns restaurant. Participants are responsible for other meals and snacks. For more information contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com. – THIS EVENT IS FULL, BUT YOU CAN SIGN UP ON THE WAITING LIST.
MAY 2026
JUNE 2026
Tuesday-Thursday, June 2-June 4 – Great Smoky Mountains Camping and Hiking Event. Balsam Mountain Campground. Hemphill Bald, Caldwell Fork, and Rough Fork Trails Loop Hike on June 3, 13.7 miles loop, 2,240 feet elevation gain. Moderate. This loop route offers grand views from Hemphill Bald and penetrates old-growth forest. Flat Creek Trail hike on June 4, 2.6 miles one way with a shuttle, 570 feet elevation gain. Joint event with the Murfreesboro Chapter. Register early with Joan Hartvigsen at jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914 to secure your spot in beautiful Balsam Mountain Campground. Balsam Mountain Campground is located near Cherokee, NC off the Blue Ridge Parkway in a rare spruce-fir forest. At 5,310 ft., the campground is the highest in the park and offers cool summers.
Tuesday-Friday, June 16-19, 2026 – Camping, Kayaking, Hiking Event. Joint outing with the Murfreesboro Chapter. Rattler Ford Group Campground in Nantahala National Forest, near Robbinsville, NC. Kayaking Santeetlah Lake and Fontana Lake. We will visit Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, and Huckleberry Knob and Hooper Bald on the Cherohala Skyway. The wild azaleas bloom in June. Reserve your spot in the campsite by contacting Joan Hartvigsen, jhartvigs@comcast.net or 931-636-2914.
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