The Cherokee Hiker. September 2010 Volume 26, Issue 9. Cherokee Hiking Club, Inc Varnell Road Cleveland, TN

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1 The Cherokee Hiker September 2010 Volume 26, Issue 9 ~CHC Hike Calendar~ Cherokee Hiking Club, Inc Varnell Road Cleveland, TN September 11, 2010 Saturday. Bob Bald/Hangover Hike: (10 miles, moderate) September 12, 2010 Sunday. Unicoi Turnpike Trail (3 miles, easy) SEPTEMBER HIKES September 11, Saturday Bob Bald/Hangover Hike Hike leader: Rick Harris. Hike rating: moderate, with 800 feet of elevation gain. 10 miles in length. The hike will take us from the Wolf-Laurel Trailhead up the Stratton Bald Trail to Stratton Bald, then over to Haoe and the Hangover where we will eat lunch. Then we will exit via Bob Bald and the Fodderstack/Benton MacKaye Trail to Beech Gap. We will then finish our shuttle and go to the Harris's log home in the mountains for dinner for all. This trail is one of the most scenic to be found anywhere. From the Wolf-Laurel Trailhead, we will climb up Stratton Bald Ridge to the top of the mountain at 5336 feet. We will then hike on the Haoe Lead trail out to Naked Ground, then out to the top of Haoe and on out to the Hangover. We will eat lunch at the Hangover. From the Naked Ground campsite, it is almost a sheer drop off for thousands of feet with grand vistas looking into NC. The Hangover is what its name implies, a rocky outcropping with full 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains. At the very end of the trail, there is a sheer drop off of several hundred feet, which is hanging over the bluffs a little bit. It makes you dizzy and it is a little scary. The trail drops about 500 feet to Naked Ground (elevation 4860') on a ridgeline trail, then climbs back up about 500 feet to Haoe, then down a couple hundred feet to the Hangover. From the Hangover, we will return the way we came but continue on the Stratton Bald Trail to Stratton Bald, then we will go on down to the little bit lower Bob Bald at 5294 feet which is a big open field with 360 degree views of the surrounding Tennessee and NC mountains. We will then continue on down the Stratton Bald Trail west to its intersection with the Benton MacKaye/Fodderstack Trail, then head north to Beech Gap on the Cherohala Skyway at the state line. We will then finish our shuttle and go to the Harris's log home in the mountains for dinner for all. Note: these trails in places are steep and in other places they are in a rhododendron thicket which, as its name implies, is "thick". Though the total elevation gain is not all that much, about 800 feet, you will know at the end that you have been challenged. But the challenge is well worth it. Directions to the Trailhead: We will meet at the Tellico Plains Hardee's at 9AM, do our shuttle, leaving cars at Beech Gap, and then take the Santeelah Creek Road to the Wolf-Laurel Road up to the Wolf- Laurel Trailhead. After the hike, we will have to retrieve our cars at the Wolf-Laurel Trailhead, then go to the Harris home just a short ways off the Cherohala Skyway between milepost 9 and 10. There we will enjoy a pitch-in dinner. Please bring a dish. Brenda and Rick will provide the main course. 1

2 If you are interested in going, please contact Rick Harris at or September 12, Sunday - Unicoi Turnpike Trail Hike leader: Marc Bernatti. Hike rating: easy. The hike will take place in the area of Coker Creek, TN, and will be around 3 miles, mostly downhill. A car shuttle will be used; kids and pets are welcome. The hike will start up at the Unicoi Gap (TN/NC border) on Joe Brown Hwy and follow a centuries old route down, ending back out on Joe Brown Hwy. Up near the start, the wagon ruts and piled stone walls visibly define the historic turnpike that was built later. This route through the gap was used by man for hundreds of years to cross over these mountains. De Sotto is believed to have traveled it in the 1500 s over the mountains, and it was also the route used to round up the Creeks, and later the Cherokees, for their removal from Tennessee and North Carolina. The Cherokees were then assembled nearby at Coker Creek in Fort Armistead and the Doc Rogers Field. Along the way, we ll pass the general area where it is thought that the Turnpike s toll booth was located. In addition, there is a Civil War era grave of a bushwhacked man, the site of a CCC camp (Camp Rolling Stone), and an old gold mine. For those wanting a warm up before or a little cool down stroll afterwards, there is a short level walking loop along Coker Creek at Doc Rogers Field, located near the beginning of Joe Brown Hwy. The entrance road is on your left a few hundred yards past the Welcome Center/Post Office. There are a number of blow downs on the trail which may not get cleared off before our hike, but they can be easily passed. Directions: From Ducktown go about 20 miles North on Hwy 68. From Tellico Plains, travel 10 miles South on Hwy 68. Meet at the Coker Creek Welcome Center/Post Office on Hwy 68 (Monroe County mile marker 34) at 2 PM. Depending on the number of participants we may be able to carpool from the Welcome Center. We will work out a shuttle arrangement with some cars parked at the bottom of the trail and the rest shuttling up to the Gap. The Welcome Center and everything else is closed up here on Sundays so, pack a snack and something to drink; you can take care of other needs at the Hardees in either Ducktown or Tellico plains. If interested in going, please contact Marc Bernatti at Other hikes and events in September: be sure to check the club website at for more September hikes and other events that may be planned on short notice. *NOTE: As a courtesy, ALWAYS contact the hike leader in advance of the hike to facilitate planning. OTHER EVENTS OF INTEREST September Monthly Club Meeting: the next meeting will be held at Tinsley Park in Cleveland, on Thursday September 9, at 6:30 p.m. Bring some picnic food and a lawn chair. Directions: if traveling south, take Cleveland Exit #27. Turn left onto Paul Huff Parkway. Turn right onto Keith Street (Hwy 11) at the Walmart. The entrance to Tinsley Park is directly across Keith Street from Logan s Road House. If traveling north, take Cleveland Exit #27, turn right onto Paul Huff 2

3 Parkway, then continue with the directions above. When approaching you can t see much of the park itself, but there is a large sign that says Tinsley Park. Drive toward the back of the park past the tennis courts; on your left is the picnic shelter at the left of a parking lot. Join the rest of the Cherokee Hikers on Facebook! To connect, press the CTRL button on your keyboard, and then click the image below to navigate to the CHC Facebook page. Recent Hike & Event Reports Donley Cabin Tour and Lower Sycamore Creek Trail - August 14, Saturday This was a joint hike with the Hiwassee Hiking Club. Seven hikers toured the historic Donley Cabin and some were interested in returning for an overnighter. Nine hikers and our two dog friends, Jake and Bart Foster, hiked the Lower Sycamore Creek Trail. We were fortunate to have Leon Bates along to answer our wildflower questions. We didn t see any wildlife on the trail, but did see evidence of wild hog rooting. After the hike we took time to cool the dogs and ourselves in the creek so that we would feel just right to go to the Tellico Kats Deli. We got our scattered thunderstorm on our drive to eat. Then again as we ate at Tellico Kats, another downpour came, so we felt extremely blessed for a great hiking day followed by a good rain. Hikers are shown in the picture below, and included Sheila Bailey, Leon Bates, Carol and Carroll Guhne, A. Lorene Powers, Marc Bernatti, Brenda Harris, Esther Nunley, and hike leader Jane Bohannon. Hooper Bald & Huckleberry Knob August 21, Saturday 3

4 Twelve members of the Cherokee and/or Hiwassee Hiking Club hiked to the two balds on a damp overcast day. Rain was in the forecast but the hike was completed with only our feet getting wet, due to the sloppy trail condition. All picked a varying amount of blueberries that the bears had not gotten to yet. Some wildflowers were observed and identified with jewelweed being the most common. Although views were limited due to the overcast, all seemed to enjoy the beauty of the high elevation balds and forest. Hikers included Joy Key, Joanne Jackson, Jane Bohannon, Elaine Allman, Aggie Scott, Bill & Carol Kamm, Marc Bernatti, Phyllis & Mike Callaway, and the Lees. The hiking group is shown in the next picture. _ Hiwassee River Canoe Trip August 29, Sunday Eight of us ventured out canoeing and kayaking on the Hiwassee River for several miles. It was a very relaxing afternoon, enjoying each other s company while looking at quaint cottages, wildlife, and livestock along the way. The weather was comfortable and Clayton advised us as to which side of the river to take while approaching small rapids and rocks. At the end of our trip, while taking out the kayaks, one kayak had a mind of its own, and headed down river. It was rescued promptly by guest Andy Higginbotham. Cherokee Hiking Club members included Clayton Pannell (leader), Joanne Jackson, and Bill & Carol Kamm. Guests included Andy & JoAnn Higginbotham, and Byron and Candace Whittington. A picture was taken from the shore of the group in their kayaks and canoe, shown below. 4

5 Cherokee Hiking Club Minutes August 12, 2010 The monthly meeting of the Cherokee Hiking club was held at 6:30 p.m. at the Quinn Springs Picnic Shelter. Nineteen members and two guests attended. Following a potluck picnic, President Randy Morris called the business meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Secretary Jane Bohannon and were accepted as read. Treasurer Ann Gray reported the current balance. Old business: We discussed the Permission to Use Photos column on the Release of Liability/Hike Sign In form. Hike leaders are responsible for reviewing the permission list and persons not giving permission should not be in the photos. Hike leaders are responsible for seeing that no photo gets to our webmaster unless everyone in the photo has given permission. Ann Gray read a thank you note from Ken Jones related to the loss of his wife, Gayle. Al Rymer thanked members for cards, calls, and remembrances related to the loss of his daughter, Susan. New business: We discussed the new format for our website. We find it to be very user friendly. To find the edited Release of Liability/Hike Sign In form, click on form, then click on post hike reports. Hikes completed: The following hikes have been completed since the last meeting: Rhododendron Trail, Blood Mountain Trail, Cucumber Gap Trail, and Lower Hiwassee Canoe Trip. Upcoming hikes: Donley Cabin Tour and Lower Sycamore Creek, Hooper Bald and Huckleberry Knob, Lower Hiwassee Canoe Trip, Hangover/Bob Bald, and Unicoi Turnpike. Next meeting: The next meeting will be at Tinsley Park in Cleveland on Thursday September 9, at 6:30 p.m. Bring some picnic food and a lawn chair. We will decide on a place for the October meeting later. The November meeting will be at Pat and Leon Bates home. Directions to the September 9 meeting: If traveling south, take Cleveland Exit #27. Turn left onto 5

6 Paul Huff Parkway. Turn right onto Keith Street (Hwy 11) at the Walmart. The entrance to Tinsley Park is directly across Keith Street from Logan s Road House. If traveling north, take Cleveland Exit #27, turn right onto Paul Huff Parkway, then continue with the directions above. When approaching you can t see much of the park itself, but there is a large sign that says Tinsley Park. Drive toward the back of the park past the tennis courts; on your left is the picnic shelter at the left of a parking lot. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jane Bohannon, Secretary Cherokee Hiking Club, Inc Varnell Road Cleveland, TN