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

Cross Mountain & Blue Hole

We had 15 hikers today on the trail out toward Shady Valley, TN where the AT crosses TN 91.  We had never been in the area and the road, though paved, was in very poor condition.  Fortunately, little traffic afforded us the ability to stay away from the edge that was eroding on the mountain portion.  But once we arrived, we were at a lovely farming area sitting at 3,500 ft.  The openness allowed for views in all directions.  It was an almost perfect day that was sometimes marred with clouds and light winds.  But shirtsleeves were good for most on this early April day.  We headed out across the farm and took in the views.  We then entered the wooded portion.  Not much to see today; no wildflowers were up yet.  We stopped at an AT camping area and spring for lunch.  Most of the group hiked on to Double Springs shelter and returned, making a 6 mile round trip for them.  The rest of us logged 4.4 miles on the AT today.

As we headed back to Elizabethton, we stopped for a short hike down to the Blue Hole, a neat series of waterfalls to a swimming hole guarded by high cliffs.  Beautiful area it was!  Overall a great day for hiking.

Heading Out

Nice Panoramas

A Well Placed Bench

The Blue Hole

South Holston Dam/Osceola Island

After a rainy winter, the hiking club gathered up for a nice, gentle hike to begin the season.  We headed over to Bristol to South Holston Lake to hike the spillway trail, and also to hike a trail around Osceola Island.

None of us had ever been to the area, and we were all interested in the weir dams below the main dam.  Apparently they were built to provide oxygen to support aquatic life and also to provide better water conditions for recreation. 

After we hiked Osceola Island, which was the location of the weir dams, we went on toward the dam and hiked the 3.5 mile out and back spillway trail, which is actually a TVA access road.

Looking toward the earthen dam from Osceola Island

The Spillway

View of the lake from atop the dam

First Day Hike 2019

This year's First Day Hike was much more pleasant than last.  The weather was a balmy mid fifties this year; last year, we hiked in single digit wind chills.  We also had a record number of hikers, or maybe walkers, but in any case we had several people and nice weather.  Our hike destination was Powell River Trail near Appalachia.  It is a very nice trail with the river roaring all along the way and a few tunnels and bridges to make things more interesting.  There are also benches and bear proof waste containers.  The trailhead also has a nice little parking area.  So the trail is a nice little addition to the area, and there are plans for expansion.  So another first day hike is complete; we haven't missed one yet in our 6 years of doing them.

Grayson Highlands Wilburn Ridge and Twin Pinnacles

The hiking club returned to Grayson Highlands today to do two trails: Wilburn Ridge and Twin Pinnacles.  When I awoke and went outside for the first time as I was loaded up, I felt the humidity had left overnight and the temps were cool.  I was excited because I knew we would have some good views today.  More often than not, when in higher elevations, views are obscured by clouds, haze, fog or drizzle.  Today, though, was spectacular.  The air was perfect, the breeze was cool and the haze was gone.

We arrived at Massie  Gap and hiked up to Wilburn Ridge too see the ponies.  The ponies, though, were hanging around the parking area, bumming for food.  However, we enjoyed blueberries, blackberries and black raspberries that were abundant all along the trail.  There were several outcroppings to climb on for views.

We returned to the parking area and had lunch, though we kept busy shooing off the ponies, one of which was particularly persistent.  Then we headed up to do the Twin Pinnacles.  It was quite a climb up but we managed it.  The views from both the Big and Little Pinnacle were amazing.

Great hike on a great day!

Carver's Gap and Rhododendron Gardens

We decided to visit the famed Rhododendron Gardens of Roan Mountain in the middle of the week to avoid the crowds.  We settled on Wednesday, June 20th and left Dot at 8:00.  Upon arrival around 10, we were surprised to find droves of people and a steady stream still descending upon the Carver's Gap parking area.  Apparently more people were interested in hiking on the balds than viewing the gardens.  There were hiking clubs from all around.  We joined the lines of people and took in some views from Round Bald.  There were still a few blooms on the balds to enjoy.

We headed back to the parking area and drove up to the Rhododendron Gardens.  We were told that heavy rains had knocked off a lot of the blooms but there were many left to enjoy.  Unfortunately, a low hanging cloud kept us from enjoying the overlooks.  And a cool breeze caused us to change our picnic venue further down the mountain at Roan Mountain State park.  We explored around the area and hike the Cloudland nature loop.

the gardens

Round Bald

Panther Creek State Park

We headed west this Saturday instead of the usual east or south for our hike.  Our destination was Panther Creek State Park near Morristown, Tennessee.  It is a scenic park that sits alongside Lake Cherokee.  We stopped at the visitor center for maps and recommendations, and settled on doing the loop that overlooks the lake when you reach the top.  It is called Lookout Point loop.  We also took a spur trail to the lake's edge, and had a break on a well positioned log.  Our total mileage was nearly 3 miles.  As we returned to the beginning of the loop, the heat and humidity increased, so lunch on a shaded picnic table was a nice reprieve.  It was a good day, and a good park.  There are several trails in the park, so a return trip is probable.

Overlook from the trail

Spur trail to water's edge.  We all sat on this log for a snack/break

Geese and other birds were abundant

Kingdom Come State Park

Our Memorial Day hike was at Kingdom Come State Park in Cumberland, Kentucky.  Our group did some short hikes.  One was to Raven Rock.  This park mostly has shorter trails, but can be combined for longer hikes.  We also had picnic lunch and rented some pedal boats while we were there.

Elk Garden to Buzzard Rock on the AT

We headed out at 8 this morning to Elk Garden Trailhead near Whitetop, Virginia's second highest peak.  After close to 2 hours on the road, we unloaded and geared up and hit the trail.  The trail began in the woods, but emerges on a bald.  The wooded sections are usually uneventful, but this one looked like an enchanted forest.  The areas alongside the trail were covered in trillium, trout lilies and other wildflowers.  It was gorgeous, along with the views from the bald of course.