Meeting times

MONTHLY MEETINGS: (Except January) Meet 2nd Tuesday at 7:00 pm CT. Barfield Crescent Park's Wilderness Station, 401 Volunteer Road, Murfreesboro


Chapter Hike Schedule

MARCH 2024

Saturday, March 16 - Long Hunter State Park - Bryant Grove Trail. 8.0 miles Bryant Grove Trail. 8 miles rated moderate. Picnic lunch stop at the halfway point. This is a flat trail through the woods, at times adjacent to the lake. At the halfway point there is a picnic area with parking if anyone wishes to stage a vehicle there to shorten the hike. Turning around at any point along the way is also an option if anyone isn’t ready for the entire distance. The trail is clear and there are no branching trails. The walking surface is dirt and somewhat rough, with protruding rocks and roots, so hiking poles may be  f use. Sturdy, comfortable footwear, probably waterproof hiking boots if possible as it may be wet/muddy/snowy/frozen. Dress for the weather. Bring your snacks, beverages, lunch. Hot soup in a little thermos is good on very cold days. There may be wildlife on view, and possibly some early plant growth to see. Meet at the trailhead sign at 9:30 A.M. CT and the goal is to finish before 2:30 P.M. CT. For more information, or to sign up, please text Jane Reyling at 702-279-7805, or email at JRYL76@gmail.com.

Monday-Tuesday, March 18-19 - Cumberland Trail Backpacking – Mullens Cove Loop. Prentice Cooper State Forest. Joint event with the Highland Rim chapter. A total of 9.8 miles rated moderately strenuous. We will hike 5.6 miles and set up camp at the Hemlock Branch campsite. After setting up camp, we’ll take a short hike to the Ransom Hollow Overlook. The next morning the hike is 4.2 miles out to complete the loop. There is a water source at Hemlock Branch. This section includes spectacular views of the Tennessee River Gorge, an Indian rockhouse and stone door. Bring snacks and food for Saturday lunch, dinner and Sunday morning breakfast. Hiking poles are recommended. For carpool information from Murfreesboro or to register, contact Sara Pollard at 615-714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.

APRIL 2024

Thursday, April 4 – Dog Cove to Dry Creek Falls. Near Sparta. 7 miles rated moderate out and back with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. We will pass Meditation Rock on the way to the two-tiered Dry Creek waterfall. Bring lunch, water and hiking poles. Meet at the Dog Cove trailhead and parking area for a 9:00 A.M. CT start. To register or for more information call or text Jay Brain at 757-577-6446.

Tuesday, April 9 – Chapter Meeting – 5:00 P.M. CT. NOTE TIME CHANGE. Barfield Crescent Park Wilderness Station. We are meeting early for an important discussion of items related to the October 25-27 TTA Annual Meeting our chapter is hosting with the Highland Rim chapter at Fall Creek Falls State Park. Bring your dinner because after this meeting we will have our regular monthly meeting. During the regular meeting Patty Deen, Highland Rim Chapter Chair will give a presentation entitled “Iceland Adventure” showing the highlights of her August 2023 trip to Iceland. For more information contact Chapter Co-Chair Jeanne Conatser at djconatser@comcast.net.

Saturday, April 13 – Walls of Jericho. Bear Hollow Mountain Wildlife Management Area on the west side of Winchester. 8 miles rated strenuous due to rocky terrain and elevation. A short vehicle shuttle is necessary. This gorge straddles the Tennessee-Alabama state line, and we will begin our hike from the Tennessee trailhead. We will cross Turkey Creek on a foot log bridge past Clark Cemetery, and a primitive hiker campsite. From there we will hike beside Turkey Creek alongside a bluff line to reach the beautiful, natural walled amphitheater. The return trip will be ascending switchbacks to the trailhead in Alabama. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Hiking poles are recommended for this hike. For more information or to sign up, contact Sara Pollard at 615- 714-3610 or sarabpollard@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 18 – Mossy Ridge Trail – Percy Warner Park. Nashville. 5 miles rated moderate. Joint hike with Nashville and Sumner Trails chapters. Meet at the trail sign and there are Porta-Potties in the parking lot there. The hike is a loop of about 5 miles through the woods. The path is hilly, some of the hills are steep. The vertical elevation gain is around 200 feet, but the trail goes up and down quite a lot. There is one section that crosses a small stream. Water runs down the hill and over the trail at this place – it’s a small waterfall area. There should be flowers along the way to enjoy, and we’ll pause for flowers. Hiking poles are recommended, especially if there has been recent rain. Please bring water, electrolytes, and a snack. Sunscreen and insect repellant recommended. The expected hike time is about 3.5 hours, though not guaranteed. For details or more information, please contact Jane Reyling at 702-279-7805 to text, or JRYL76@gmail.com.

Tuesday, April 23 – Crockett Park Walk – Brentwood. 5 miles rated moderate. Joint walk with the Nashville chapter. We will meet at 7:00 A.M. CT, though the time may be adjusted depending on the forecast. Meet in front of the Tennis Center building. It is closest to location G on the park map (Wilson Pike Tunnel). There is parking at the Tennis Center area, but it might be better to park at one of the other lots nearby, so we don’t take too many spaces from the tennis crowd. This is a paved trail system along a stream bordered by trees. We will walk the red and green trails, for a total of 5 miles. There are additional trails in the area if anyone or everyone wants to continue. There are restrooms and occasional benches along the route and there should be flowers and birds to see. We will plan on 3 hours to allow for conversation and enjoyment of the scenery. For details or more information, please contact Jane Reyling at 702-279-7805 to text, or JRYL76@gmail.com.

Thursday, April 25 – Barfield Crescent Park. 697 Veterans Parkway, Murfreesboro. 4.9 miles rated moderate. From 6:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. CT. Meet at the porch of the Wilderness Station. Follow signs in the park to locate the station. There is a restroom at the station but none along the hiking route. We will hike the red (Marshall Knobs) trail (2.65 miles) plus the blue (Valley View) loop (1.15 miles) and white (Rocky Path) loop (1.10 miles) for a total of 4.9 miles. There will be a snack break at the observation tower along the blue trail if the weather is agreeable. The trail is paved at first, then a dirt path with abundant rocks and roots to trip over. Please wear appropriate shoes or hiking boots for rough footing that may be muddy or slippery. Hiking poles can be useful, some of the steps are high. The trail has some elevation gain, but not much. There may be wildlife along the way and spring flowers. The trail is partly along the Stones River, in the woods. Bring water, electrolytes, and snacks. Dress for the weather. Please, no pets. For more information or to sign up, please contact Jane Reyling at 702-279-7805 (text preferable), or email at JRYL76@gmail.com

Saturday, April 27 – Nashville Urban History Hike. 6-8 miles, on mostly level terrain. Joint hike with the Nashville chapter. We will meet just before 9:00 A.M. CT at the north end of the Bicentennial Mall. Free parking is available near the Tennessee State Museum and the Farmer’s Market. Our starting point is at the circle of carillon bells (close to Jefferson Street, north end of Bicentennial Mall) Our hike will lead us along the wall of state history. We will next hike uphill to the State Capitol with an opportunity to admire its architecture up close. We then visit War Memorial Plaza to salute our veterans and walk east to City Hall and Public Square Park. Next, crossing Woodland Street Bridge admire the river and contemplate the future East Bank development, then walking south along the East Bank Greenway reaching Cumberland Park. We’ll cross the river via Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge and traverse a section of the honky-tonk district on lower Broadway, then left onto John Lewis Way and right onto Demonbreun, leading us past Bridgestone Arena and Music City Center. At 10 th Avenue, we turn right (north) past Frist Art Museum and Union Station, then continuing along
Nashville Yards via Platform Way to 10th and leading toward Farmer’s Market, where ice cream and/or lunch awaits. Some history remarks will be offered along the way. Register with hike leaders Tom Vickstrom 615- 405-6713 or Tony Jones 615-397-4463.


Planning ahead:
Tuesday-Friday, May 14-17, 2024 – Great Smoky Mountain Camping and Hiking Trip. Joint event with the Highland Rim chapter. Camping at Cosby Group Campsite, Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Hike Schedule: Tuesday – Sutton Ridge Overlook by way of the Lower Mount Cammerer Trail. 3.6 miles out and back. 400 ft. elevation change rated easy. Views of Gabes Mountain, Cosby Valley and Gilliland Ridge. Wednesday – Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower via Low Gap, Appalachian and Mount Cammerer Trails.11.2 miles out and back., 2,780 ft. elevation change rated strenuous. Features streams, ridgeline, geologic interests, summit, spectacular panoramic views. Thursday – Ramsey Cascades Trail. This trail was recently restored. 8 miles round trip, 2,000 ft elevation change rated strenuous. Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the park and one of the most spectacular. Friday – Hike to Hen Wallow Falls via Gabes Mountain Trail. 4.4 miles round
trip rated moderate. Tuesday we will share a potluck dinner and one evening, we will have dinner at Carver’s Orchard & Applehouse Restaurant in Cosby. Each camper must purchase a parking tag, which is available online. There is a limited number of spots in the two group campsites reserved, so sign up early. Register with Joan Hartvigsen, 931-636-2914 or jhartvigs@comcast.net.

No comments: