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.
JULY 2026
Tuesday, July 14 – Chapter Meeting – 7:00pm. Barfield Crescent Park Wilderness Station. Jay Brain will share pictures and talk about the trip to Arizona he took in February 2026. Places he visited and/or hike include Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Fountain Hills, Granite Mountain trail in McDowell, Sonoran Preserve, Sabino Canyon in the Tucson area, Chiracahua national Monument, Tumacacori Mission, San Xavier del Bac Mission and Saguaro Lake.
Thursday July 23 - Elk River Float Winchester, TN. Tims Ford Dam Tailwater to Farris Creek Bridge, 8 miles. It’s an easy put-in and takeout. Joint event with the Highland Rim chapter. We will meet at 8:00 am CDT at the put-in on the Elk River just downstream from Tims Ford Dam. Turn into the parking lot for “River Recreation” access off Hwy 50 east of the Elk River Bridge and west of the turn for Tims Ford Dam Lake access. We will arrange for the vehicle shuttle to takeout at 2292 Farris Creek Bridge. In addition to your kayak, paddles and PFD, bring water, snacks, and lunch. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Saturday July 25 - Lost Cove via Point Disappointment and Potter Ridge Trail 8.0 miles out-and-back rated moderate. This relatively new trail near Sewanee has fine views, cliffs, and rock formations. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 30 – Bledsoe Creek State Park, High Ridge and Shoreline Trail, 3 miles rated difficult due to short but steep climbs. We will start on the High Ridge Trail near the entrance of the park and then we will pick up the Shoreline Trail and head back towards the visitor center. If there is interest, we will also do the Tennessee History Trail. After hiking, we will have lunch at either Keller’s Restaurant or Shady Cove Marina. For carpooling, meet at the Wal-Mart at 2012 Memorial Blvd. in Murfreesboro at 8am or meet us at the Visitor Center at 9:15am. Please let Katy Ginanni (828-226-6837 or rpcvlibrarian@yahoo.com) know if you plan to attend.
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