Pinnacle Loop Hike

Whew!  This hike was a bit more than I had bargained for!  The news article said 6.5 miles, but Bob pointed out before we began that it had to be nearly 8 miles, and it was.  Apparently there are a few inconsistencies in mileage estimates on signs and maps.  Nonetheless, three of us ventured out despite the possibility of rain and the extra mileage.  We began our hike on Object Lesson Road trail, then took Harlan road trail, Sugar Run trail, and finally Ridge trail to the Pinnacle.  We enjoyed the cooler than normal July weather, and encountered only an extremely short-lived shower.  As always, we took our time, enjoyed the sights and sounds of nature, and discussed how people generations ago managed to travel for miles and miles in this terrain with such limited resources.  After what seemed like a very long time, we arrived at the Pinnacle, and hiked back down to the parking lot.  I said we were like Marines today, "the few, the proud".  We were few and we were certainly proud to have completed our longest hike to date!

Little Stony Falls National Recreational Trail

What a simply breathtaking hike!  A wet spring and summer has made for a lush, green forest and gushing falls!  Unfortunately, the wet weather made for slick, damp terrain too.  Although we didn't hike the entire trail due to its deteriorating condition, we saw three falls, huge rocks and cliffs, and lots of rhododendron in bloom.  We even got to sit and have our lunch on a big rock in the creek bed, and feed the trout our leftovers.  Good times!  

Rhododendron

Upper Stony Falls

The gang except for Brenda, the photographer

Brenda atop one of the many huge rocks

Next Hike

Don't forget to check the scheduled hikes page or the Facebook page for hike information.  We will hike Little Stony National Rec Trail this Saturday the 29th.

Bays Mountain-Lake Road, Fire Tower Trail

There are many trails to hike at Bays Mountain.  We met at Dot and drove over, paid at the gate and got a trail map.  After looking it over we decided on a combo trail that would include Lakeside trail, Lake Road trail, Fire Tower trail, and River Mountain Road for about a 4 and 1/2 mile hike.  The Fire Tower Trail was the most challenging, with a bit over a half mile climb, but we all made it to the top, although some of us were breathless!  

Several benches at the fire tower offered a view and a rest.

A familiar site as you enter Kingsport, the fire tower offers a different perspective.

  

Beavers have been here!

This deer was looking for a handout and got one from the next table!

Overlooking Kingsport from the Fire Tower.

Lake Keokee Loop - Hike #3

June 1, 2013

After a cool, wet spring, we finally had a bit of warm weather for this hike. We covered the 3.7 miles in about 3 hours.  The going was a bit slow in places.  The hike wasn't difficult in terms of elevation gain, but the path was narrow at times and crossed several gullies that were bridged with logs.  We spotted several wildflowers, flowering shrubs, and other interesting plants or fungi that made their homes in the wooded habitat.  There was a nice breeze on the lake, we had no encounters with potentially dangerous critters, and I managed to stay on my feet for this hike, so I count it a success!  Stay tuned; we are planning more hikes!

Flame Azalea

Now those are some large ferns!

View from Earthen Dam

Speckled Wood Lily

2nd Hike- Tri-State Peak Trail

The skies were overcast and the fog was hugging the ridges as we headed out this morning, but we were not deterred.  We met at the trailhead near Cumberland Gap at 9:00 and headed out with our soon to be needed raingear.  The trail wasn't too busy this Saturday so we had the trail mostly to ourselves.  We enjoyed the hike up, taking time to look at a few wildflowers, mushrooms, and the water cascade.  As we explored at the top, the rain arrived and we had to walk back down in a light, but steady rain.  Still, all agreed that they enjoyed the hike despite the rain! 

Wet but Smiling

Crossing the footbridge.  There is a waterfall below, but getting a good shot of it would have required negotiating a steep, muddy path to the base of the falls.

 

Sign Designating Cumberland Gap

The pink buds on this mountain laurel were just about to open.

Gazebo at the Tri-State Marker

Teresa Is in 3 States!

 

First Hike

Columbine

Our first destination was Wilderness Road Trail in Western Lee County.  It turned out to be a nice morning for this short hike as we were protected from the wind once we got on the trail.  We enjoyed the lush, green scenes as we got acquainted with each other.  We had a great time and are looking forward to our next hike to the Tri-state marker in two weeks.

Wilderness Road Trail

From the Trailhead Parking Lot

Trailside Chat

Along the Trail

Wilderness Road State Park