The Tennessee Trails Association’s Plateau Chapter has a busy June schedule of hikes.
The Wednesday, June 25, hike has yet to be planned and will be determined later.
The public is welcome to participate in the hikes. Hikers younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and dogs must be on a leash.
Wear hiking boots or shoes, and bring hiking poles, rain gear, plenty of water, snacks, insect repellant and sunscreen.
All hikes can be found in the Calendar in the Crossville Chronicle’s Scene, at tennesseetrails.org/chapters/plateau-chapter or on Facebook. All times listed are Central.
Wednesday, June 4, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Whites Creek Natural Area, Rockwood, TN, and Fort Southwest Point, Kingston, TN
The Whites Creek 3.5 mile trail begins along the shoreline and continues as a woodland walk along the ridge tops overlooking the Watts Bar Reservoir of the Tennessee River. The hike is rated moderate due several hill climbs. Lunch at Courtney’s Diner will follow; afterward, the group will visit to Fort Southwest Point for a short walk and exploring at the only federal era 18th-century fort in Tennessee reconstructed on the original foundation. Depart 7:30 a.m. from Trinity Tabernacle parking lot off Hwy. 127 South. Gas cost is $5. Contact hike leader Beth Joynt at 928-782-5564 for details.
Saturday, June 7, 7:30-11:30 a.m., Fairfield Glade Camp Branch Trail and Cumberland Trail Peavine toward Fairfield Glade Overlook
Both are new trails near completion (possibly completed by hike day). Camp Branch is 2-mile lollipop with creeks, waterfalls, overlook, wildflowers and a tight squeeze between boulders. The new Cumberland Trail section is a 3-mile in-and-out hike with a creek crossing eventually leading to Daddys Creek. Hopes are that lots of rhododendron will be in bloom. Depart 7:30 a.m. from The Grove’s northeast parking lot off Stonehenge Drive. Gas cost is $2. Contact hike leader Deb at ttaplateauhikes68@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267-2243 for details.
Wednesday, June 11, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Big South Fork, Laurel Fork Creek Trail, Jamestown, TN
This is an easy to moderate 6.8-mile hike starting from the West Entrance Trail then North on Laurel Fork Creek and return. Hikers will crisscross the creek 12 times; bring comfortable water shoes. Depart 7:30 a.m. from Crossville Cracker Barrel. Gas cost is $6. Contact hike leader Deb at ttaplateauhikes68@tennesseetrails.org or 931-267-2243 for details.
Wednesday, June 18, 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Emory River Short Trails, Obed Wild and Scenic River
Two easy to moderate short hikes for a total of 3.6 miles will be followed by a swim at the Nemo Bridge swimming hole. The 1-mile loop Emory River Nature Trail shares a small portion of the Cumberland Trail before looping down and around to return along the Emory River to the Rock Creek Campground. The trail offers a close up appreciation of the transition from bluff to gorge, where massive sandstone boulders fell from the bluff thousands of years ago and now rest in and near the river gorge. The 2.6-mile round-trip Emory River Gorge section of the Cumberland Trail starts at the historic Nemo Bridge, now used by hikers to enjoy an above-ground view of the Emory River. The trail leaves the picnic area from the upstream end of the parking lot and ascends above the river to a sweeping overlook of the confluence of the Obed and Emory rivers. The trail ends at a seasonal stream cascade. Wear or bring swim gear and water shoes. Depart 7:30 a.m. from Cracker Barrel. Gas cost is $6. Contact hike leader Kristi at 541-223-8550 for details.
Saturday, June 21, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Haw Ridge Lake Trail, Clinton, TN
This 8-mile hike, modified due to weather damage to the trail and rerouting, is moderate and strenuous in certain areas due to length and elevation changes of more than 1,000 feet. This is a popular trail for hiking, mountain biking and birding. The trail features some steep climbs and rocky areas. The highlight is the pathway along the lake’s edge. The short hike can be done as an in-and-out. Depart 7:30 a.m. from the Save-A-Lot parking lot at 229 Interstate Drive, Crossville. Gas cost is $7. Trailhead address is Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Contact hike leaders Evelyn and Elliott Kornreich at 845-325-5749 for details.