First Day Hike 2020

Today we completed our 7th consecutive First Day hike.  We have been fortunate to have decent enough weather to complete one each year since our club formed in April of 2013.  This year we traveled to Big Stone Gap to walk the Greenbelt.  It is a 3 mile loop that actually loops around downtown.  Actually part of it goes through downtown.  The weather on this first day has been better and has been worse.  It was around 40 degrees but the wind made it necessary to bundle up a bit.  Looking forward to more 2020 hiking!

Exceptionally shiny green mallard

Windy near the river

Drawbridge?

Devil's Bathtub

The hiking club returned for a third trip to the Devil's Bathtub today.  Some new members hadn't been, and we had been waiting for an opportunity to go.  We chose the dry, fall weather to make for easier navigation and crowd avoidance and we were successful on both counts.  It was a very nice, although overcast, day.  We had a very brief light shower, but otherwise enjoyed the cooler weather after a record hot September.  We decided to count the creek crossings today.  There were 15 one way, which is two miles.  This was hike number 10 for 2019.

the swimming hole

the bathtub

A bit of lunch after visiting the bathtub (in background)

Navigating one of the crossings

Norton Reservoir to Flag Rock

Shew!  Finally got a very slight break from the heat.  It still gets hot, but at least the mornings are nice.  Hike number eight for 2019 was at Flag Rock area.  The elevation made for slighter cooler temps and light breezes, and we enjoyed both on this beautiful sunny morning.  We started at Upper Norton Reservoir just past the main Flag Rock entrance.  We did a 3.25 loop trail on the fairly new bike/hike trail system.  We hiked along the upper reservoir, crossed the dam, and hiked out to Flag Rock.  We enjoyed some time there soaking in the breezes and views.  We hiked back along the opposite side of the reservoirs to return the the parking area.

Peeks of color at Upper Norton Reservoir

View from Flag Rock

Flag Rock area

Cleveland Barrens/Tank Hollow Falls

We drove today to Cleveland, Virginia, a previously unheard of town, that lies East of St. Paul.  If you blink you will miss it, but it is a Clinch River town and home to Tank Hollow Falls.  There has been access to Tank Hollow Falls for quite a while, but recently the DCR set aside some land known as the Cleveland Barrens which includes Tank Hollow Falls.  There were improvements made to allow for handicapped access to Tank Hollow Falls, and a loop trail system installed with signage and trail blazes.  The trail I would rate as moderate, with some lengthy climbs, but it is in good shape.  There are a couple of picnic tables at the trailhead which we took advantage of after the warm September hike.

Grayson Highlands State Park

Today we had Grayson Highlands State Park on the schedule.  It has been so warm, it seemed only a high elevation hike would be doable in the heat.  So five of us ladies made the long drive there.  It was several degrees cooler there compared to the valley areas, but the skies were clear and the sun was fierce!  But it wasn't too bad on us.

We hiked up to Wilburn Ridge via Rhododendron and Appalachian Trails and eventually came across some ponies.  Several looked ready to have their colts soon.  We returned down the ridge a bit and turned left onto the AT and headed toward a large rock outcropping.  Finally we reached a spur trail that returned us to our vehicles.  We hiked about 4 and a half miles.

It was a gorgeous day for hiking!  Everything was so beautiful!  It is quite a drive, but well worth the time spent.

Ponies on Wilburn Ridge

First glimpse of views

Friendly pony

Phipps Bend Trail

After enduring a couple of rainy, humid months, we got back out on the trail today in Surgoinsville, Tennessee.  We picked a flat, easy trail due to the weather still being warm.  Phipps Bend trail is located at the abandoned Phipps Bend nuclear site.  We had a bit of difficulty finding the trailhead, but finally spotted a bunch of horse trailers, which clued us in that we had the right spot.

This trail is not the typical trail we hike, but offered a variety of plant life we hadn't seen often, or at all before.  This trail went along a strip of land between the Holston River and a wetlands area.  One drawback was the lack of shade, but everyone made the 4.6 mile hike just fine.

Easy Walking

Beautiful view of wetlands area

Friendly rider let the kids pet her horse

Swamp rose

Cumberland Falls State Park- Eagle Falls Trail

I am a bit late posting this hike.  We hiked it on Memorial Day, May 24th.  Several of our regular hikers were unable to go, but we dragged a few family members along and ended up with 13 hikers.  It's a pretty lengthy drive to Cumberland Falls, but it is worth going at least one time.  Cumberland Falls is quite a large falls and is known as the Niagra of the South.  It is also know for its moonbow. 

Our first stop was the visitor center for information, restrooms, and for viewing Cumberland Falls from the established areas.  You can drive right to the parking lot and walk just a short distance for these views.

From the upper viewing area

If you walk down some steps, you can access another viewing platform with a better and closer angle.

from the lower deck

After enjoying the falls from the Visitor Center area, we carpooled over to the Eagle Falls trailhead across the river.  Note:  parking is very limited.  We did an out and back 2 miles total hike to Eagle Falls.  The loop doesn't have much more to offer when the leaves are on, and the humidity was high.  We followed the recommendation of the lady at the visitor center and eliminated the upper, more strenuous part.  Boy were we glad we did as the hike, though straight out and back along the river, was filled with ups and down and steps, steps, and more steps!  But we were rewarded with great views of Cumberland Falls.

Cumberland Falls from Eagle Falls trail

Finally we descended a last set of steel steps and picked our way across some rocks to the base of Eagle Falls.

Eagle Falls