7 islands wildlife refuge trails then off to tuckahoe market for lunch

 Seven Islands is such an interesting spot for a hike, and the dogs just love going out there.  It is off kodak road and most folks get there by going interstate and get off Midway exit and follow signs to Wildlife refuge area.   There are some new signs and at the parking lot before heading up the hill you can see list of all the birds who inhabit this sanctuary.   The mowed trails are easy to follow and up 300 yards there is a great spot for views and new sign showing you which mountain is LeConte etc.  We headed out a loop then by Shumperts pond.  Looking down to the fields below we could see a planned burn with workers down below.  We could still head out the short trail that goes to a point where at one time you could see an Eagle nest, but today we didn't find it.  We cut our river trail short due to the controlled burn, we headed across to refurbished white farm house and cut to dirt trails thru the woods back down to the water.  After coming thru the woods we walked along water to the boat launch where buddies like Ed McCalister often take paddlers down to have some fun on the French Broad.   AFter our 4 miles we headed to Tuckahoe market on Kodak.  It is a little store with a grill in the back and good home cooked food.  www.legacyparks.org has links to parks/wildlife refuges around the area.  Next time I need to brush up on my bird knowledge as there are hundreds of different types out at Seven Islands.

River Bluff and Ross Marble .. Legacy Parks adding great new trails

Got to hit some local new trails this week.  River Bluff trails will be a spectacular park.  Legacy Parks Foundation have secured this land for Knoxville City parks and rec and there is 70 acres of land with two ponds, and the best view around.  Still needing more funds to make this all happen so go to www.legacyparks.org if you want to find out more about donating or being a Friend.  As part of the Board I enjoy taking groups out to all of our area trails especially ones like River Bluff where folks eyes get big and jaws drop at the beauty and the fact that "this is right in the middle of Knoxville". Got to hike with some folks before a Legacy Park board meeting Wednesday then today (thursday) after our Greenway/trails committe meeting took some new board members and friends of Legacy out to meade quarry where behind this area the App Mountain Bike club has worked so hard to open up miles and miles of new trails (Ross Marble)  Kids will love these trails as there is a "key hole" where you walk thru big rocks and an area looking like sand dunes.  Then Karen and I headed to more new trails off this area that wind around in the woods and can come out and hop over to Will Skelton Trail and Forks of the river Trails which has so many options for hikers and bikers (be careful though as it is hunting area too during certain times of the year.a 

www.legacyparks.org   And remember the Knoxville Urban Challenge Adventure Race April 16th Plus a Citizens Race for every day folks who want a little adventure without being a 5 hour challenge.  Ijams the hub of check in, activities for kids, party afterwards etc.  

Thanks to WBIR Jerry Owens and John Becker for coming out to shoot some footage and interview Brian Hann about all the hard work (AMB club) is doing to help Legacy Parks and our local greenway/trails in and around Knoxville 

Our Local trails are great for short fit workouts

Missy Sharon Beth Carol Jenni and one of Beth's dogs lucky
This is  on the west side overlook  (pic by carl loy) 

Tara and Carol Osborne 

Abby howling for joy w/ me and Rocky

View from north side Loop is about 3 + miles 

During the winter months, I often try to hit some local trails w/ buddies and former Get on Track walkers.  Many who have been in my classes are now fit and like to explore new trails in the winter. And once you get out there moving, even a cold 25 degree day feels fine with a few layers. Plus the trails are usually out of the wind and seem not to be so blustery.  Last week we hit one of our area's best hikes, House Mountain. This is out Rutledge pikc past East Knox elementary and you'll see a brown sign saying House Mountain State park.  YOu turn left and then another left and you'll see the parking lot.  They now have a picnic area (covered) and a nice new porta potty.  Most usually go up on west side and go clockwise.. It is a tough little climb of 3/4 mile but once you come to a big rock where you can look out back over Knoxville it is worth your effort. Then you can cut across the top for half mile and go past the trail sign to head back to the parking lot and keep going east.   You come across a really huge rock that overlooks to the north and down on many pretty farms.   A little past this lookout there is another one that often has a nice big American flag flying.  These two areas are great spots for a snack and kids love the hike too.  We take our dogs (on leashes) and they had a grand time last week.  It was a little muddy so I usually keep extra shoes on hand and towels as my dogs also were very dirty. But a little dirt was well worth the fun views and fitness gained by traveling over to House Mountain.  Next week we are hitting the new River Bluff trails on Cherokee Trails.  If you'd like on my local hiking email list call 541-4500.  The Covenant Call Center can help get you on my local trails hiking list, or Get on Trails w/ Friends of the Smokies lists or on my biking email list.
Happy Trails