Tennessee Trails Association’s Plateau Chapter has hikes of about 5-8 miles every Wednesday and two Saturdays per month.
The hikes are open to public participation; ages 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Hikers are asked to pack water, snacks, lunch, tick/bug spray and sunscreen. They should also wear hiking boots or shoes, and bring hiking poles, water shoes and rain gear.
Check the Plateau Chapter blog at http://ttaplateauchapter.blogspot.com one hour prior to hike time for cancellation or for any other updates/changes to the schedule before hiking.
Unless otherwise indicated, contact hike coordinator Deb Westervelt at plateauhikes@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267-2243 for more details.
January hikes include:
Wednesday, Jan. 7. South Cumberland State Park’s Denny Cove/Foster Falls State Natural Area, Tracy City, TN. Hikers can opt for a 3-mile strenuous short in-and-out hike of Denny Cove with rock scrambling, a fabulous waterfall and rock climber cliffs; or an 8-mile trek that includes a 5-mile moderate loop of Denny Cove and Foster Falls. Depart from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S. Main St., at 8 a.m. Carpool cost is $7.
Thursday, Jan. 8. Plateau Chapter meeting, First Methodist Church Annex at 69 Neecham St., 6-7:30 p.m. Meeting agenda includes discussion and coordination of the annual conference, and trips for the upcoming year. Contact chair Melissa Love at 931-248-6324 for details.
Saturday, Jan. 10. Lilly Bluff Bridge Point and Boulder Trails Lancing, TN. This is a 5.5-mile hike that’s rated moderate. Depart from outer parking lot of Save-A-Lot, 229 Interstate Drive, at 8 a.m. Carpool cost is $5.Bring lunch, or option to eat lunch at the Sauced Frog/Hopyard Brewery if it’s open. Contact hike leader Beth Joynt at 928-782-5564 for information.
Wednesday, Jan. 14. Big South Fork Twin Arches Loop. This 5-mile hike is moderately strenuous due to flights of stairs and the continual climb from Charit Creek. These two arches are the largest arches in the Big South Fork and quite possibly in the Eastern United States. The South Arch is the highest at 100 feet. After visiting the arches, hikers will pass through several huge rock houses along the base of the cliffs and wind their way to Jake’s Place, the remains of a mid-1800s house and farm. They will then follow the creek to Charit Creek Lodge for lunch. Depart 8 a.m. CST from the rear parking lot of Crossville Cracker Barrel. Carpool cost is $7. Contact hike leader Mark Rule at 865-207-2816 for information.
Wednesday, Jan. 21. Fairfield Glade Overlook to Peavine South. The 5.5-mile through hike starts at the Overlook and will require a car shuttle. Depart 8 a.m. from the Northeast Grove parking lot off Stonehenge Drive (left off Peavine Road onto Fairfield Boulevard, then left on Stonehenge Dr.) Carpool cost is $2. Contact hike leader Melissa Love at 931-248-6324 for information.
Saturday, Jan. 24. Scott’s Gulf Wilderness State Park — Caney Fork Trail to Gunstock Falls. Participants will have the option of a short in-and-out hike of 2.5 miles along Caney River to Gunstock Falls; or a 7-mile long hike going beyond the falls to check out the trail. The hike is rated moderate; however, hikers are advised that the .5-mile connector trail is steep. Depart 8 a.m. from outer parking lot of Harbor Freight at West Avenue. Carpool cost is $3.
Wednesday, Jan. 28. Cumberland Trail: Rock Creek Loop and Lower Connector Trail. Sale Creek, TN. This 5.5-mile moderate lollipop loop includes rocky sections and elevation changes. Hikers will start at Lower Leggett trailhead and walk the flat-but-rocky 1.1 mile Lower Connector trail along Rock Creek to a 3.4-mile loop that ascends to a .5 mile spur leading to Leggett Point with a bird’s eye view of Rock Creek Gorge. Then they’ll complete the loop descending back to the Connector trail and out. Depart 8 a.m. from Central Baptist Church, 1346 S. Main St., Crossville. Carpool cost is $6. Text or call hike leader Kristi at 541-223-8550 for information.