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