Outings List for March February 2019 Harvey Broome Group (HBG) Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club

Transcription

1 Outings List for March February 2019 Harvey Broome Group (HBG) Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club Everyone is welcome! You do not have to be a member to participate in any Sierra Club event. For more information on an outing, contact the "leader" of the outing (the "Preregister with" person in the listing) or the Outings Chair, Ron Shrieves, ronshrieves@gmail.com. Many outings are limited as to the number of participants, so check in early to secure your spot. In any event, please make contact with the outing leader several days (preferably a week) in advance. Where no prefix is given with a phone number, assume it is 865. Unless otherwise stated, driving distances are approximate, one-way, from downtown Knoxville, TN. ALL wilderness hikes require hiking shoes/boots, and hikers must always be prepared for various potential weather conditions with proper gear, such as a poncho or rain suit for rain, warm clothes for a cold snap, and a hat and sun protection for hot weather. See our Outings page tab on the HBG website: For each hike, "Rated" refers to degree of difficulty, and although ratings are subjective, the following system provides guidelines for the rating: "easy" is suitable for beginning hikers, with hike distances up to 6 miles on established trail, and only moderate ascent and descent; "moderate" is suitable for the established hiker, with distances up to 10 miles, possibly rocky terrain, and perhaps some steep ascent and descent, rock scrambling, and water crossings; "strenuous" is only for the established hiker, with distances above 9 miles, difficult terrain (sometimes off established trails), and probably steep terrain. If in doubt as to your readiness for an outing, please don't hesitate to discuss it with the outings leader. All participants on Sierra Club outings are required to sign a standard liability waiver. To read or download the liability waiver online before you choose to participate on an outing, see the link near the bottom of our outings page. In the interest of facilitating the logistics of some outings, it is customary that participants make carpooling arrangements. The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them. Carpooling, ride sharing or anything similar is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. Also please visit the HBG website at Feel free to join us at our Program Meeting on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m., at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church, 2931 Kingston Pike. Our strategy Meeting is on the fourth Tuesday of every month, at 7:00 p.m., at The Church of the Savior, 934 N. Weisgarber Rd. Knoxville, TN NOTE "Nature Saunters" is a new series of eight family friendly outings, led by Mac Post, that are intended to increase your naturalist observations skill and experience the natural ecosystems of east Tennessee. Join an experienced Naturalist and use all of your senses to explore and make discoveries about the natural world. We will look at the animals and plants living in ponds, streams, fields, and forests. We ll have educational encounters with salamanders, birds, interesting plants, and insects. Learn how to become more observant when traveling through the natural world. These rambles will be 2 to 4 hours long that will move slowly at a pace set by participants to observe, study, photograph, and discuss what we discover. Families are encouraged to bring children along for a fun and educational day outside. You do not have to be a member of the Sierra Club to participate. Outings: 3 Mar (Sat). Dayhike. Stone Cabin, GSMNP. On this hike we will start at Sugarlands Visitor Center and take the Old Sugarlands Trail to an old roadbed. We will follow the old roadbed to the Sugarlands Cemetery. It is one of the largest cemeteries in the park with about 200 graves. Along the way to the cemetery we will pass the old CCC camp and some of its relics -- clock tower and cistern. From the cemetery we will take a manway for 1

2 about one-half mile to see what remains of the stone cabin. The stone cabin consists of two rooms with exterior and interior walls built entirely of stone. It is thought that the stone cabin was built in the 1930s by the CCC. The manway to the cabin is slightly uphill and requires crossing two streams and a short scramble up to the cabin. The total hike distance is about 6.5 miles and is rated moderate. The driving distance from Maryville is about 35 miles. Preregister with BJ and Bob Perlack: perlack@aol.com; March (Sat). Dayhike, House Mountain State Natural Area, Knox County. House Mountain is Knox county's highest peak at around 2000ft. It is a tough hike going up with an elevation gain of over 1,000 ft in about a mile. However the views from the top are well worth it. Hike distance 5 miles and rated strenuous. Roughly 20 miles from Knoxville and a 30 minute drive depending on where you are in Knoxville. Preregister with Denise Bivens at denisebivens@gmail.com: phone March (Sat). Nature Saunter (Cedar Barrens) Chain Ring Trail, Knoxville Urban Wilderness. Cedar Barrens are found where there are shallow soils formed on limestone. We ll learn about the geology and vegetation this unique ecosystem while hiking 4 or 5 miles on the Chain Ring and Lost Chromosome Trails in the Knoxville Urban Wilderness. One-way drive: 3 miles. Preregister with Mac Post at or mpost3116@aol.com ( preferred). 7-8 Apr (Sat-Sun). Backpack, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. The approximately 125,000 acres of the Big South Fork NRRA protects a unique river and its tributary gorges and plateaus, all of which provide a variety of recreation activities. Our backpack will include most of the Burnt Mill Bridge Loop and all of the John Muir Trail between Burnt Mill Bridge and the Honey Creek Loop. Some of the route will be in view and/or hearing distance of the Clear Fork of the Big South Fork. Our campsite will be just upstream from the secluded and beautiful Beaver Falls that not many people have seen. 5.4 miles Saturday and 2.6 miles Sunday. After the backpack on Sunday we may do a day hike over to the Honey Creek Overlook of the BSF River. Backpacking hiking mileage is a bit over 8 miles and the backpack is rated Easy. Preregister with Will Skelton: H ; Cell ; whshome@bellsouth.net. 14 Apr (Sat). Dayhike, Piney River segment Cumberland Trail. This segment of the Cumberland Trail is located near Spring City. The trail was one of the ten original Bowater Company Pocket Wilderness Areas. It is a linear trail alongside Duskin Creek and the Piney River of about 7.5 miles. The trail includes a number of interesting features steel suspension bridges, an old narrow gauge railroad bed, waterfalls and cascades. The trail is noted for its wildflowers. The hike is rated moderate. The driving distance is about 60 miles from West Knoxville. Preregister with BJ and Bob Perlack: perlack@aol.com; Apr (Thurs). Lunch and Dayhike. TVA Near Norris Dam State Park. We will gather at the picnic tables to the left of the TVA Norris Dam Visitor Center which is near the dam and Norris Dam State Park at 11:00 AM. We will eat lunch (bring your own sack lunch), drive 2 miles to the TVA River Bluff trail, and hike the 3.2 mile loop. Hopefully we will see some wildflowers so bring your wildflower book. The hike will be cancelled if there is heavy rain, so please preregister via to facilitate such notification. Knoxville carpoolers meet at Earth Fare in the Bearden area (N. Forest Park Blvd, 37919) at 10:00 AM. One-way drive is about 30 miles. Rated Easy. Preregister with AT thru hiker Blue Jay (Joan Tomlinson): BlueJayAT@gmail.com or Apr (Sat). Nature Saunter (Classic Cove hardwood Forest), Cucumber Gap/Jakes Creek/Little River Trails, GSMNP. This classic cove hardwood forest is over a century old. The gap was probably named for towering cucumber trees that are numerous here. This loop starts up the Jakes Creek Trail for about 1/2 mile, turn east for about 2.1 miles on the Cucumber Gap trail, where we will see some wildflower displays. We'll head north where the Cucumber Gap trail ends at the Little River. Driving distance one way: 45 miles. For those who did not make the previous week's hike, we'll also talk about hiking in the wilderness, what it takes, generally, in terms of fitness and equipment, and describe this year's Take-a-Hike program. Total distance 5.1 miles, rated 2

3 easy. One-way drive: 50 miles. Preregister with Mac Post at or ( preferred) Apr (Fri-Sun) Chapter Meeting, Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club. Nathan Bedford Forest State Park. 5 May (Sat). Dayhike, Andrew Ridge Loop, Norris Dam State Park. We will do a 4.7-mile hike triple loop, at Norris Dam State Park. This hike explores a distinct trail system which features three loops; Rock Creek Loop, Sinkhole Loop and one on the Andrews Ridge Trail. The trail follows old pioneer roads, historic homesites, a visit to Andrews Cemetery, and multiple views of Norris Lake. This hike is rated moderate for distance and has 290 feet in elevation gain. The elevation is 1,340 feet at the trailhead to 1,050 feet at the low point. Norris Dam State Park is 4,038 acres located near Norris in Anderson & Campbell Counties on Norris Lake ( Driving time, 30 minutes; distance, 28 miles. Preregister with Denise Bivens:denisebivens@gmail.com: phone May (Sat). Nature Saunter (Pine Forest) Rabbit Creek Trail, GSMNP. This hike will feature the dry pine-oak forests of the Smokies that occur below 4,000 feet on exposed south facing slopes. This 5.4 mile hike from Abrams Creek to Campsite 16 and back will feature understories of mountain laurel, blueberry, and huckleberry with an open canopy of pines and oaks. Rated easy. Driving distance 20 miles one-way. Preregister with Mac Post at or mpost3116@aol.com ( preferred). 19 May (Sat). Canoe/ kayak float - Wildlife Float, Rankin Wildlife Management Area, Douglas Lake. We'll explore backwaters accessible only by canoe or kayak and hopefully observe some migratory birds that visit this wetland paradise. The float is suitable for paddlers with reasonable flat-water paddling skills - no currents to contend with. The paddle trip will commence at 4 PM, making a loop from the Leadvale boat ramp for a late afternoon outing (sunset about 8:15 pm). Limited to 4 boats in addition to the leader. You can expect about 4-5 miles of flatwater paddling. You'll have to arrange your own canoe/kayak rentals if you need a boat. For rentals, you might try Michael Sledjeski of the Rankin Bottoms Project, mtnsylva@earthlink.net, or one of the outfitters in the Knoxville area. A similar trip may scheduled in teh next few weeks as necessary to accommodate additional participants or bad weather. One-way drive: 50 miles. Pre-register with Ron Shrieves: ; ronshrieves@gmail.com ( preferred) May (Sat-Sun). Backpack, Rocky Fork State Park (near Erwin, TN). A five-year $40 million project by the Conservation Fund and others started in December 2008 and resulted in the US Forest Service and State of Tennessee ownership of almost 10,000 acres near Erwin, TN, knows as the Rocky Fork tract. The property is being maintained as natural areas with trail construction ongoing. On Saturday we will backpack from a Lower Higgins Creek Road trailhead up to Birchfield Camp Lake, a 4,000-foot elevation man-made lake, about 2.7 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain. On Sunday we ll continue up and over Wilson Knob Ridge and exit via the Rocky Fork State Park on the Birchfield Camp and Rocky Fork Trails and their Rocky Fork Trailhead, about 5-6 miles. We ll see an area few people have yet explored. The backpack is rated strenuous. Preregister with Will Skelton: H ; Cell ; whshome@bellsouth.net. 1 June (Sat). Backpack, Elkmont Area, GSMNP. On Friday late afternoon, we will hike the Little River and Goshen Prong Trails to campsite 23, about 6.7 miles. On Saturday, we will break camp early and hike Goshen Prong Trail to the AT, head south on the AT, and take Miry Ridge Trail to campsite 26, about 13 miles. On Sunday, we will hike the rest of Miry Ridge Trail to Jakes Creek Trail and back to our cars, about 6.4 miles. Elevation and a long day Saturday with a full backpack will make this outing rated strenuous. This hike may be used as a training hike for a longer backpack or section hike on the AT. Please train for this hike! Cost is $8 per person for Park camp fees. Limit 6 people total. Driving distance, 42 miles. This outing will be led by AT thru hiker Blue Jay (Joan Tomlinson). Preregister with Blue Jay at BlueJayAT@gmail.com or

4 9 June (Sat). Nature Saunter, (Spruce-Fir forest) Appalachian Trail Indian Gap to Newfound Gap, GSMNP. This high elevation component of our tour of the Smokies ecosystems goes through spruce-fir forest, beech gaps, and a wild boar exclosure. Rated easy. One-way drive: 55 miles. Contact Mac Post: , mpost3116@aol.com June (Sat-Sun). Backpack ( Crest Zone ), Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (Jefferson National Forest, Virginia). The Mt. Rogers NRA and adjacent Grayson Highlands State Park, in southwest Virginia, make for one of the most scenic backpacking areas in the southeast, with huge open grassy meadows fringed by spruce trees and rhododendron bushes, usually flowering in June. Portions actually look like the western US. We re doing a new campsite from the past several years, and will start and end on SR 600 that runs between Mt. Rogers and Whitetop Mountain. Our camp will be at an off-trail and rarely used site on the north end of Brier Ridge; we will hike in on the Appalachian Trail and out on the VA Highlands Horse Trail, around 3 miles each day. Rated Easy. Driving distance, 165 miles. Preregister with Will Skelton: H ; C ; whshome@bellsouth.net. 23 Jun (Sat). Paddle trip. Tellico Blueway. We will paddle the 11-mile Tellico Blueway from the put-in at the Big Creek Ramp on the Tellico River and the take-out at the Ballplay boat launch ramp on Tellico Lake. This is entirely a flatwater paddle with very little noticeable current. The first half of the Blueway is along the Tellico River channel or backwaters of Tellico Lake. At about the halfway point, the Blueway gradually widens into Tellico Lake. The entire Blueway is for the most part scenic and undeveloped with very little motorized boat traffic. The paddle is rated moderate. Because of the distance it is not suitable for novice paddlers. The HBG does not provide boats. Each participant will be responsible for their own kayak or canoe and pfd. Drive distance, 50 miles. Preregister with BJ and Bob Perlack: perlack@aol.com; June (Sat-Sun). Backpack, Roan Mountain Backpack, Cherokee and Pisgah Nat l. Forests. Truly one of the iconic east Tennessee hikes, this section of the Appalachian Trail, from Carver s Gap to Highway 19 offers some spectacular views from it s grassy balds. Little Hump mountain will be our destination for the first day, which offers both exposed camping spots if the weather is clear, or more sheltered spots if it is not, as well as a good water supply. The second day starts with the climb up Big Hump mountain to get the blood flowing, but is generally level to downhill after that. Hike is about 14 miles total, split pretty evenly. We ll park our cars at Mountain Harbour Bed and Breakfast on Highway 19, and also let them shuttle us to the Carver s Gap trailhead. The shuttle is $10 a person and there is a $5 fee per car to park. Rated moderate, but weather can be unpredictable. Drive: About 300 miles round trip. Pre-register with Brad Reese, bradktn@gmail.com 7-8 July (Sat-Sun). Backpack, Appalachian Trail Backpack (Sams Gap to Spivey Gap including Big Bald), Cherokee and Pisgah Nat l. Forests. One of the outstanding sections of the Appalachian Trail is from Spivey Gap at 3,760 feet to Sams Gap at 3,200 feet, crossing in the middle the grassy balds of Big Bald at 5,526 feet where there are panoramic views of the balds and forest. This section is located south of Erwin, TN. After crossing Big Bald we ll probably camp at around 8.1 miles on a ridge above Tumbling Creek. Backpacking hiking mileage is 13.4 miles and the backpack is rated moderate because of the 2,900 feet of elevation gain and distance. Drive distance, 110 miles. Preregister with Will Skelton: H ; Cell ; whshome@bellsouth.net July (Sat-Sun). Mart Fields Backpack, Frozen Head State Park. This rugged hike, especially on the first day, will reward with a large, flat, campsite and some nice views of the surrounding countryside. We ll start at the Ranger Station and immediately start climbing the Chimney Tops trail out of the back of the parking lot. Once it gains the ridge the trail will climb and descend a couple of peaks before finding our campsite at about mile 5. The second day is considerably easier, maintaining the ridge before heading back down one of the, Mac, Trails. We will have the option of visiting a large Rockhouse and/or an observation tower on our way down. Mileage again about 5 miles. Please note that the spring at the Mart Fields campsite does go dry at 4

5 times in the summer; we may have to cancel or change plans at the last minute. Rated moderate. Drive distance, 48 miles. Please pre-register with Brad Reese, 28 July (Sat). Nature Saunter - Snorkeling Conasauga River, Cherokee Nat'l. Forest (Aquatic Diversity). Snorkel the Canasauga River with the US Forest Service Fisheries Biologists. Streams in the Cherokee National Forest have an extraordinarily diverse assemblage of fish. In the crystal clear waters of the snorkeling site, it is typical to see 15 to 20 species of fish on any given day. The great variety, colors, and numbers of fish in the Conasauga River amaze even those who have snorkeled on marine coral reefs. Turtles, tadpoles and salamanders are usually present. Cost is $25 per snorkeler and includes Forest Service Biologist guide, lifeguard, wetsuits, masks and snorkels. Driving distance, 100. Preregister with Mac Post at or mpost3116@aol.com ( preferred). 3-5 Aug (Fri-Sun) Chapter Meeting, Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club. Cedars of Lebanon State Park August (Sat-Sun). Backpack, Shining Rock Wilderness (Pisgah National Forest, NC). Shining Rock Wilderness in North Carolina (off the Blue Ridge Parkway and near Waynesville) is one of the three original wilderness areas in the Eastern US. It is certainly one of our best, and the HBG has done backpacks in the area in early August since the mid-1970 s. The wild blueberries are usually plentiful and ripe then. This year we re going to the summit of Cold Mountain, of bestselling book and movie fame (unfortunately the movie was filmed in Romania which spoiled the movie for those of us who know Cold Mountain). We will see the real Cold Mountain on this backpack, and will camp in a gap below the 6,030 foot summit of Cold Mountain. Hiking distance will be about 10.8 miles total. Rated strenuous. Drive distance, 113 miles. Preregister with Will Skelton: H ; Cell ; whshome@bellsouth.net. 18 Aug (Sat). Nature Saunter, (Northern Hardwoods), Flat Creek Trail, GSMNP. Few short trails are a memorable as Flat Creek Trail. Rated easy. Great views of the Smokies Range, especially Mount Guyot, from this high elevation hike through hardwood forests typical of northeastern US and Canada. Total hike distance out and back is 5.2 miles and rated easy to moderate. One-way drive, 85 miles. Preregister with Mac Post at or mpost3116@aol.com ( preferred). 8 Sept (Sat). DayHike, Injun Creek and Grapeyard Ridge Trails, Greenbriar, GSMNP. After shuttling cars to the end we will start at the Greenbriar Ranger Station and go up the Injun Creek trail to the junction with Grapeyard Ridge Trail near Campsite 32. A short distance from here is a wrecked steam engine that likely resulted, after a corruption, in the name to this creek. We will return to the Greenbriar area. This area was heavily settled and we will pass by many homesites and cemeteries. We will compare the reduced diversity of herb flora on the old cultivated fields now forested, with the uncultivated ridges. Total distance 6 miles, rated easy. One-way drive: 50 miles. Preregister with Denise Bivens: denisebivens@gmail.com: phone Sept (Sat). Nature Saunter - Monarch Butterfly Migration Monitoring (Citizen Science) Cades Cove, GSMNP. Who doesn t love running around in a sunny field with a butterfly net? Monarchs migrate en masse to Mexico every year for the winter, and we would like to learn more about their migration and population status by tagging them. Migrating monarch butterflies have been monitored in Cade s Cove for many years. Participants also catch and identify other butterfly and insect species. We ll set up on a spot in Cades Cove and catch butterflies from there. Rated easy. One-way drive, 50 miles. Preregister with Mac Post at or mpost3116@aol.com ( preferred). 29 Sept (Sat). Canoe/kayak float - French Broad River. This go-with-the-current float covers an easy 5 miles, starting from the Seven Islands State Birding Park public access point on the French Broad River, to a public boat ramp at Cruze Landing. Though far from pristine, this river does have some interesting sights and a bit of 5

6 wildlife (and some not-so-wild life). There may be some shoal water, but no whitewater. Basic canoe/kayak skills are required. We'll take our time exploring the shoreline for birds and other wildlife, and stop to eat lunch and stretch our legs on an island that is in the State Park. Sorry but we cannot provide boats, so you will have to contact a local outfitter and make your own arrangements for boats, paddles, and pfds. One-way drive, 20 miles. Pre-register with Ron Shrieves: ; ronshrieves@gmail.com ( preferred) Oct (Fri-Sun). Canoe/Kayak Paddle and Backpack, Fontana Dam area, GSMNP. On Friday, we will launch our boats at Cable Cove, east of Fontana Dam. We will paddle across the lake (about 20 minutes) and up into Hazel Creek (about an hour). We will secure the boats, unload our gear, and hike about a half mile to campsite #86 where we will set up base camp and spend the night. On Saturday, we will day hike out and back along Hazel Creek Trail and Bone Valley Trail, to the end of Bone Valley Trail, about 15 miles round trip. We will spend Saturday night at our base camp at CS 86. On Sunday, we will have a leisurely breakfast, break camp, return to our boats, and paddle back to our cars at Cable Cove. About 65 miles and 2 hours each way because we will drive the Dragon. There are a few boats and PDFs available for participants, otherwise bring your own boat and PDF. This outing is weather dependent. Rated strenuous. Cost is $8 per person for Park camp fees. Limit 6 people total. This outing will be led by AT thru hiker Blue Jay (Joan Tomlinson). Preregister with Blue Jay at BlueJayAT@gmail.com or October (Wed-Thur). Bob s Bald Backpack (Cherokee NF) with camp at Cold Spring Gap. Yes, this is a mid-week backpack on Wednesday and Thursday to give those who can t make a weekend trip a chance to participate. Bob (or Bob s) Bald is a favorite backpacking and dayhiking destination for many in the SE, and on this trip we ll combine the two. A short 1.8 miles backpack from Beech Gap on the Cherohala Skyway on an old roadbed (on the Fodderstack/Benton MacKaye Trail) for 1.8 miles to Cold Springs Gap where we ll set up camp. Then a 1.6-mile day hike up to the summit of Bob Bald, with grassy balds and high elevation views. Total hiking distance will be 3.2 miles and total backpacking distance will be 3.6 miles. Rated Easy. Preregister with Will Skelton: H ; Cell ; whshome@bellsouth.net. 20 Oct (Sat). Dayhike - Charles Bunion and the Jumpoff, GSMNP. Starting at Newfound Gap, we'll head along the AT for 2.7 miles, then, after about 1/10 of a mile on the Boulevard Trail, we'll follow an off-trail path our to the Jumpoff. The Jumpoff is a 1000 ft near vertical drop with spectacular views of Charlies Bunion. Then we'll return to the AT, and continue for another 1.3 miles to Charlies Bunion, a big rock outcropping with even more spectacular views. We'll return to Newfound Gap using the AT. This hike is 9 miles long, with 2086 ft elevation gain, and is rated moderate. Drive time, about 1.5 hours; distance, 60 miles. Preregister with Russell Gillenwater: commissar67@gmail.com: phone , preferred Oct (Fri-Sun) Chapter Meeting, Tennessee Chapter of the Sierra Club. Pickett State Park. 27 Oct (Sat). Dayhike, Maudes Crack/John Muir Overlook Loop, BSFNRRA. Featuring two outstanding geological features, this is a loop from Terry Cemetery down the Maude's Crack Trail to its junction with the John Muir Trail, then over to and up No Business Creek to the John Muir Overlook. From there we'll backtrack to the junction with the Longfield Branch Trail, which we will take back to the cemetery. Total distance hike distance, 7 miles. Rated moderate. Drive distance, 90 miles. Pre-register with Ron Shrieves: ; ronshrieves@gmail.com ( preferred). 3 Nov (Sat). Dayhike, Lake, Ghost, and Chestnut Ridge Trails, Big Ridge State Park. This moderate 4 1/2 mile series of trails offers beautiful views of the lake, sinkhole and history. Roughly 20 miles from Knoxville 35 minute drive depending on where you are in Knoxville. Preregister with Denise Bivens: denisebivens@gmail.com: phone Nov (Sat). Nature Saunter, Lead Cove-Bote Mountain-Finley Cane Loop, GSMNP. A great recap for our biodiversity tour since we will be visiting many of the lower elevation forest types on this trip with fall 6

7 colors. Distance, 7 miles. Rated Moderate. One-way drive, 45 miles. Preregister with Mac Post at or mpost3116@aol.com ( preferred). 17 Nov (Sat). Dayhike. Laurel-Snow segment of the Cumberland Trail. Originally one of the ten Bowater Company Pocket Wilderness Areas and named after two waterfalls -- Laurel Falls (80 feet) and Snow Falls (35 feet). In addition to the falls, the area features a couple of overlooks, steep gorges, boulder strewn creeks, and remnants of mining activity. Our hike starts up Richland Creek where we will pass an old mine tunnel and Dayton reservoir. After crossing a 50-foot metal bridge over Laurel Creek (1.5 miles), we will take the east trail to Laurel Falls (2.5 miles) and Bryan Overlook (3.5 miles) where we will have a view of the Tennessee Valley from a height of 1700 feet. Bryan Overlook is named after William Jennings Bryan prosecutor in the Scopes Monkey Trial held in nearby Dayton. The hike is 7 miles round trip. Rated moderate to difficult. The driving distance is about 70 miles from West Knoxville. Preregister with BJ and Bob Perlack: perlack@aol.com; Dec (Sat). Dayhike, Point Lookout Loop hike, Panther Creek State Park. We will do a 5.1-mile hike on the Point Lookout Loop, at Panther Creek State Park near Morristown, TN. This hike is a vista-laden trek with multiple views of Cherokee Lake from shoreline & hilltops, including the Smallman Overlook. Rated moderate for distance & 180 feet in elevation gain. The elevation is 1,290 feet at the trailhead to 1,470 feet at the high point. Panther Creek State Park is 1,435 acres located near Morristown in Hamblen County on Cherokee Lake ( Driving time, 52 minutes; distance, 40 miles. Preregister with Denise Bivens:denisebivens@gmail.com: phone Dec (Sat). Forks of the River Loop Hike, Knoxville Urban Wilderness. This urban hike consists of a 6.1- mile loop hike within the Forks of the River WMA, part of Knoxville's Urban Wilderness. Starting at the McClure Lane parking lot, we'll take the short connector out the north side of the lot to the paved Will Skelton Greenway, thence along the Tennessee River to the end of the greenway where we'll pick up the "natural surface" Whaley Trail, and take that to the West Perimeter Trail, thence back to the parking area. Decent hiking boots are a good idea, as the natural surface trails may be muddy in wet weather. Rated moderate. Hike distance, 6 miles. Drive is to South Knoxville. Pre-register with Ron Shrieves: ; ronshrieves@gmail.com ( preferred).?? Jan TN Chapter Meeting 9 Feb 2019 (Sat-Sun). Winter Backpack, Little Frog Wilderness. The Little Frog Wilderness, adjacent to the Ocoee River near Ducktown, TN and the infamous Copper Basin, is a great example of how relatively small areas can be set aside to preserve critical wilderness. Hke distance, 7.4 miles. Rated moderate. Driving distance, 75 miles. Pre-register with Ron Shrieves: ; ronshrieves@gmail.com ( preferred). 23 Feb 2019 (Sat). Dayhike, Citico Creek Wilderness. We'll leave a shuttle vehicle at the "Warden's Station" on the Cherokee Forest Service Road #35, then drive out Double Camp Creek Road to the northern end of the Fodderstack Trail (FS #95) at Farr Gap. This is a ridgetop trail with with some good views. We'll hike from Farr Gap (elev ft) to the the terminus of the Pine Ridge Trail (FS #99), then descend 1720 feet to the Warden's Station on FS Road #35. The distance is 5 miles along the Fodderstack Trail and 3.5 miles on the Pine Ridge Trail. The high point of the hike will be at the junction with the Pine Ridge Trail (elev ft). A short but steep side trip to Big Fodderstack Mountain (elev. 4346) is possible for those who desire, and time permitting. Rated moderate. Driving distance, 67 miles. Pre-register with Ron Shrieves: ; ronshrieves@gmail.com ( preferred). 7

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