Cummins Falls and Burgess Falls State Parks

 

We had 8 hikers to hike Cummins Falls State Park & Burgess Falls State Park on a hot and humid day. We met at the Mack Prichard Visitor Center at Cummins Falls and hiked the Blackburn Fork Trail to the overlook. We took the John Cummins Trail to start another hike on the other side of the park. We took the Low Gap Trail to the Lou Garrison loop and then continued on to the river overlook. Our views were limited because of the foliage but we saw a few flowers and lots of blackberries about to be ripe. Then we drove to Burgess Falls State Park and enjoyed lunch under a pavilion. We hiked the River Trail to see the waterfalls along the way and returned via the graveled Access Trail. Hikers were Melodie Baker, Jim Barritt, Jay Brain, Craig Doucette, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Bobetta and Russ from Knoxville. 

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Burgess Falls / Window Cliffs - Michael

Burgess Falls Trail and Window Cliffs hikes today. Total of 7.3 miles with the Tennessee Trails Crew. Little warm but had 18 creek crossings. Two crossing were dry and had a good breeze most of the day. First time for me to hike up to the window cliffs. Great treat to see the natural cliffs and had excellent trail company. Even Ranger Randy joined us to tell us about nature on the hike. Learned a bunch today about TN trails and about the two hike trails today.

Michael's Pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/michael.glennon.39/posts/10217624329106938

Burgess Falls SNA - Mary

Eight eager hikers (Faith Bennett, Darlene Bowman, Ann Ford, Mary Belle Ginanni, Mary Lee Morton, Sara Pollard, Cindy Schroeder and Nabil Wakid) left the Food Lion parking lot on Lascassas Pike at8:45 a.m on the way to meet four more (Anna and Fount Bertram, Valerie Galan, and Hilda Vaughan) hikers in the parking lot of Burgess Falls State Natural Area.  The weather was co-operative, a bit humid, but nice otherwise.  We hiked, as we were able, to all or part of the trek to the base of the falls where a nice mist had a cooling effect.  One mishap - Chapter Officer, Sara Pollard rested her pole against one of the overlooks and watched as it tumbled down a ravine where it was irretrievable.  MB Ginanni had lost 2 poles in this manner several years ago.  So beware!  On the return trip, some took the rim trail, about .5 of a mile and some walked the road back to the parking lot.  We then formed a caravan to the Center Hill Restaurant overlooking Sligo Boat Dock for a late lunch of catfish, etc.  This is a short hike but absolutely beautiful as you walk along the Falling Water River and view 4 waterfalls ranging in height from 20' to 136'.

Mary Belle Ginanni

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Burgess Falls State Park - Bob

We had a great hike a Burgess Falls State Park yesterday.  The water at the
four falls was running well!  There was still some fall color left, but not
a tremendous amount.  Afterward we had a very good lunch at a restaurant in
a scenic area.

Thanks Mary Belle and Nabil for leading the hike!

Regards,

Bob g

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