I think the little crab orchard exit off I-40 is loaded w unbelievable trails , views, waterfalls & cool rock formations. These all along the Cumberland Trail. Ozone falls is on the north/east side about five miles out off highway 70. Only 1/2 mile of Cumberland trail finished but hopefully the trail to top of Cumberland trail will be done. As on the south side of 40 about two miles away you turn up to Cunberland trail at black mountain and the views and rocks are amazing. You can hike 3-4 to Brady mountain then keep going up again and this trail goes to spring city area. Then onto Dayton and final south end Chattanooga. It's amazing www.tnstateparks.com
This was the 18th fall for Get on Trail w Friends & Missy hike series We started off at Sugarlands visitor center and had a nice welcome from Superintendent Cassius Cash. Then we hiked right behind the center by cataract falls up Cove Mountain. Some climbed up about 4 miles and towards the top we had some nice views and saw some fall colors coming out.
Hike 2 we went to Steiner Bell lodge at wa-floy on 321 This inn let us park and have a tour before carpooling to greenbrier There we hiked a mile on The Old Settlers trail then at a blow down went off trail to old cemetery where Dolly Partons Great great grandfather is buried . Ed Flemming brought us old pictures of her great great grandpa from the early 1900s Then we hiked another 5 miles and passed many old walls and artifax and remains of a few cabins.
Hike three was our longest one of 8.5 miles Elvira (Elvira restaurant ) brought us sausage and biscuits then we climbed up crooked arm trail which was steep but we stopped every now and then for pictures of pretty leaves At the top we turned left on Indian Grave gap where we had great views out ether side And we saw a young bear down below who didn't seem interested in us . Coming down mad left on rich mountain loop trail was hard on knees But we enjoyed stopping at the john Oliver cabin before,finishing our loop
Last hike took us high up on purchase knob and Sarah weeks arranged for us to be able to go into the Appalachian science center Despite the clouds we had a pretty drive close to mAggie valley and up Hemphill bald road to the center On the trail we had some rain but on our way back down catalooche divide trail it started clearing at The Swag Inn and the owners allowed us to take pictures and enjoy the wonderful views . - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
We had great time getting on local trails for Legacy Parks this summer thx to Parkwest and THompson Cancer Survival Center Places like UT Trial gardens, Ijams, Concord trails, 7 Island State park, Sharp Ridge and Wm Hastie park to name a few. All listed on www.outdoorknoxville.com for maps etc
- thx also to Bryan Paschal, cyndy Cunningham, susan French, Catherine Gilreath & Legacy park staff for their help. Over 2000 raised from hikers & sponsors Hope to see yall at annual Legacy Park luncheon sept 11 where Cheryl Strayed, author Of the book "Wild" will be speaking.
Our Roane and Anderson county friday fit club warmed up for a brisk 30 degree, 4 mile walk by spending time inside Fort South West visitor center. This historic site in Kingston tn shows you how life was here in the late 1700s. Dan a historian and museum director Rick Ross told us about how this Fort had that hoped to maintain peace between the Cherokee and settlers. But later how it ended with the native Americans being pushed out of east tn. on trail of tears toOklahoma. Four soldiers from this fort joined Lewis Clark expedition and for one day Kingston was named capital of Tn. The
Betty brown trail goes down to a nice 4oo meter Track and sport fields then the greenway continues close to the water front towards the high school and back. After we toured the buildings at the Fort some headed to Red Door restaurant by the water for lunch. This club is an outreach of Methodist Medical Center and Roane Medical Center. Missy is hoping to inspire others to hit the trails in their community to help fight Obestity, Diabetes, heart illness as well as improving your over all mental health. Often there are links to trails outside Knoxville area on www.outdoorknoxville.com and Missy can be seen on Mornings with Fox 43 every tuesday at 8:45 to showcase other Fit and Fun destinations around East Tenn.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone Missy Kane
It only took us 1 hour and 3 minutes to get from Straw Plains pike in Knoxville to our trail destination: Houston Valley campground which was on a state highway (101 or 107 :) ) off 25East We only drove 14 miles out of Newport then took a left and went about 5 miles and stopped at the campground. Across the street is the trail head saying Gumtree and it is nice trail (keep straight at first intersection, then hiked up little steep at times but not bad to an intersection where you can see its a nice trail for even little mountain biking. We took a left to head up to meadow creek road and fire tower. This section in the winter time made it easy to see way out over the valley and it was great. Then we hit the forest road and took a right and walked half mile or more up to the tower. Great 360 views made the climb well worth it. We hiked back down the road a few miles then took left on the gum creek connector trail and ended up back at our cars. Nice nice hike ! https://rcpt.hightail.com/2702688056/795e688d5f9d144e75cdb3e3f018a496?cid=tr-1001013 Here is video that photog Jerry Owens took on our hike.
It is a treat to get to add a little "fit and fun" adventure get away every 3-4 months. And this fall was the perfect time to plan a two stop trip to the mountains. After the Get on Trail w/ Friends & MIssy fall series finished, many hikers took advantage of a great hikers rate at Fontana Village. The lodge there is comfy and clean plus the FOOD is awesome. I have never had a bad meal there and everyone agreed.
Then to celebrate to good friends B-days early and one who is a trooper to keep on keeping on the trail despite some health set backs we took off over 129 to Joyce Kilmar National forest and The Snowbird Lodge. This area is so so pretty and the 129 drive from Fontana to Joyce Kilmer was beautiful and not too too curvy. The big national forest has some Gigantic old growth still looking strong and the trails there very pretty. A few of us LOVE love to bike on the Cherohayla parkway and the Big Big Treat was staying at the Snowbird Lodge in Robinsville. I would say this is the nicest, prettiest bed and breakfast spot I have had the privilege to stay in overnight. The views, the lawn the summer house patio, the accommodations, and food all WONDERFUL. Its right where the Cherohayla parkway ends and it's worth the drive.