New Year's Day Hike - Long Hunter SP - Sara

Mark Hubbard (Nashville) and Sara Pollard led 23 hikers from four different chapters to hike our annual New Year's Day hike at Long Hunter State Park. Three of the hikers didn't make it in time for the group photo but were still able to join the hike. We hiked the Bryant Grove Trail and enjoyed lunch under the pavillion. It was a beautiful and sunny day. The lake water level was low, but we still had great views of Percy Priest Lake. 

Hikers from the Columbia/Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Sumner Trails chapters were: Lisa Blamer, Zayra Bowman, Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Debra Dodd, Wayne Drown, Karen Hernan, Mark Hubbard, Pete Jacobs, Rene Jacobs, Karen Jones, Arlo Owens, Debbie Owens, Sara Pollard, Kim Roberts, Jennifer Rodgers, Lynn Rosser, John Ruth, Jan Safavi, Jane Tarver, Belinda Vanatta, and Raisa Zavelin.  

Pictures:

New Years Day Hike Long Hunter - Sara

There were 23 hikers from 5 different chapters (Highland Rim, Columbia/Franklin, Sumner Trails, Murfreesboro and Nashville) represented at the annual New Year's Day hike at Long Hunter State Park. It was a bit chilly, but everyone dressed warmly, and we kept moving along. We had lunch under the picnic shelter after our 4-mile hike to the Bryant Grove Recreation Area. Nancy Juodenas brought black eyed peas to share with the group. On our way back we saw several deer and a herring by the lake. Even though the lake water level was down, we still had nice views of the lake. A great way to start a new year! 

Hikers were Jay Brain, Jean Breuer, Anna Lina Buckley, Doug Burroughs, Amanda Carkhuff, Frank Clark, Kim Gibbons, Michael Glennon, Joan Hartvigsen, Nancy Juodenas, Lacee Lanier, Susan Logue, Bonnie O'Berry, Joan Phillips, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, Jane Reyling, Sharon Rhoades, Dianna Richter, John Ruth, Amy Sutton, Vinny, and Gloria Dale Williams. 

Pictures:

Volunteer Trail - Sara

We had 5 hikers on the Volunteer Trail at Long Hunter State Park. There was rain in the forecast and that may have kept folks from signing up. It only drizzled a couple of times, just enough to put on rain jackets. It was cloudy all day and we had the 11-mile trail overlooking the lake to ourselves. We had lunch at a backcountry campsite. Saw lots of tiny, but pretty wildflowers along the way. This is an easy trail and there are interesting rock formations and views of the lake. Hikers were Jim Barritt, Jay Brain, Joe Campbell, Sara Pollard and Marietta Poteet. 

Pictures:

Long Hunter SP - Sara

We had 5 hikers to hike the Volunteer Trail Loop at Long Hunter State Park. The morning started off cool but by the time we finished around noon it was starting to get warm. The fall leaves are starting to show their colors and it was the perfect day for a hike. Hikers were Faith Bennett, Jay Brain, Anita Hardy, Sara Pollard and Martina Terrazas.

Pictures:

Long Hunter - Sara

There was an 80% chance of rain in the forecast so hikers decided not to join the hike Saturday. A new TTA member in the Sumner chapter was the lone hiker to meet me at the Visitor Center.

Marie Gleeson from Gallatin and I hiked the 4 mile Volunteer Trail loop. It had stopped raining but there was more rain coming in later so we decided to hike the shorter route. It was still a nice hike along the lake and we had the trail to ourselves. I enjoyed getting to know Marie and she moved here from Louisville a month ago.
Pictures:

Long Hunter Day Loop - Patty

Three of us hiked the Long Hunter Day Loop on March 10 - Hilda Vaughn and Geoff and Patty Hull.  If you were scared off by the weather forecast, you missed a good hike.  The lake was lovely and the wildflowers were just beginning.  Temperature was perfect and we even had a bit of sunshine.

Pictures:

Long Hunter State Park - Volunteer Trail - Sara

Sara Pollard led an 11 mile hike on the Volunteer Trail at Long Hunter State Park. The morning started off foggy, but by 10;00am the fog was gone and we could see beautiful views of Percy Priest Lake. 

We hiked 5.5 miles to the backcountry campsite and had lunch at Campsite #1. There is very little elevation change on this trail, and it’s well marked.  Temps were in the 60’s and we saw two deer along the way. Hikers were Ann Ford, Cindy Leech, Sara Pollard and Jan Safavi.

Pictures:

Long Hunter Day Loop - Craig

Craig McBride, Sara Pollard, Roy Duncan, Rebekah Norman, Jennifer Zahn, and Hilda Vaughn did the 4 mile Long Hunter Day Loop.  They have put up a new Kiosk and now have a new trailhead.

We enjoyed the beautiful sights and sounds of nature.  There were a lot of people out hiking and trail running this morning.  We took a snack break at the point with the bench and Roy filled us in with some great information of the Percy Priest Lake.  There were lots of boats out and many were heading to the party cove.

We got to see a rat snake which remained calm until the dog wanted to check it out.  Then the snake said to leave him alone.  It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of good fellowship.

Pictures:

Long Hunter Day Loop - Roy

We had eleven hikers on this  trip: From the Murfreesboro Chapter: Roy Duncan, King Jamison, Nabil Wakid, Mary Belle Ginanni, Faith Bennett, Sara Pollard, Valerie Galan. And from the Nashville Chapter : Robbie Benson, Cindy Leech, Joyce Chapman and Hilda Vaughn..

This was a very nice hike of about four miles. We had a few muddy spots but most of the trail was in good shape. The weather was great, about 55 and cloudy with no wind. We had nice views of the lake due to the lack of foliage and saw a herd of deer ( I counted 9 ) running through the open woods. This is one of my favorite short trails close to home and for those that had never done it before they said they would like to hike it again. It was a little early for wild flowers due to the cold winter we have had but trust me in the next few weeks there will be plenty out there and this is a great trail to find them. I hope everyone enjoyed the hike as much as I did. Until next time , Happy Trails.........

Pictures:

Volunteer Trail - Roy

The morning was cold as predicted about 40 but no wind. We had three hikers from the Murfreesboro chapter on this hike, Roy Duncan, Sara Pollard, and Valerie Galan. Valarie decided when we got to the Day loop to do the four mile loop back to the trail head and Sara and I headed on down the Volunteer  trail. 

While we were taking a short break at about the three mile mark Larry Marchese caught up with us and the three of us hiked the rest of the trail. At about 11:30 the wind picked up and was quite strong at times but we all had a great hike and did the 11 miles in about five hours.

Pictures:

Long Hunter - Roy

The morning wad cold and gray, "Hey, it's February".  The smiles and laughter of the group quickly took the chill off.  After hiking about a mile the sun came out and the day turned out to be a very nice winter's day. 

We had 12 hikers on our trip.  The hike was a about 5 miles and the trail was muddy in places but no one seemed to mind.  We even saw a few early wild flowers.  All in all we had a good hike.

The hikers included Roy Duncan, Nabil Wakid, Martin McCullough, Valerie Galan, Pam Smith, Ava Donnell, Libby Francis, Kate Perry, Ruth Howard, Daniel Ward, Martha Ray and Juanita Bills.

Pictures: