Fiery Gizzard Trip Report

“Fifteen hikers met at the Grundy Co. side of the Fiery Gizzard Trail on Saturday morning. They included Ewker, Waterdog, little Waterdog, Kent Kersten, Bob Bentley, Kathy Bentley, Rachel Rabalais, Stan Ritter, Katibug, Mauri Carver, Jim Robinson, Father Goose, Mother Goose, Trail Kitten, and Laura. We started on the trail at 10:00 a.m.

It was a perfect day for a hike. The temperature was in the 50's. The forest was blazing with color.

We took the Doghole Trail averting the gorge section of rock hopping. Waterdog and little Waterdog took their lunch at a rocky ledge where there was a plaque honoring the Werners. Waterdog and his daughter day hiked the trail. They were very pleasant folks and little Waterdog was enjoying being on the hike.

The day wore on and finally the challenge of the Little Fiery Gizzard Creek Gorge was at hand! Mauri, Laura, and Katibug began the downward trek at 4:00 p.m. and reached the top of the gorge on the other side at 4:40 p.m., reaching Small Wilds campsite before dark. The brave souls of the group were Kathy, Trailkitten, and Mother Goose being caught in the gorge after dark. Fortunatly, they had the fearless Father Goose with them to rescue them. Jim and Kent bravely went back down the gorge to offer their assistance as well.

At Small Wilds campsite, everyone was happy to see that a roaring fire had been built by Stan. Kent, Father Goose, and Stan provided the group with water from the stream.

An enjoyable evening was spent around the campfire. It was well worth the long hike being able to build a fire! At about 10:30 p.m., everyone said goodnight.

Sunday morning everyone was up by about 8:00 a.m. and on the trail by 10:00 a.m. It took about an hour to hike to Foster Falls. After getting cars moved back from the Grundy Co. side of the trail, we parted. Ewker, Father Goose, Mother Goose, Trail Kitten, Stan, and Katibug ate a traditional post hike meal at the Cracker Barrel in Manchester.

It was an awsome trip! Great conversation and it was wonderful to spend time with good friends-old and new.

Looking forward to next weekend when we'll head to Hobb's Cabin for another trail adventure.”

“Now that sounds like a great time!!!!

Good trip report!

8)”

“I was nice to finally meet and hike with you. I enjoyed the trip even the gorge part of it. The map says it is a steep descent of .2 miles into the Laurel Branch gorge. Well it is steep and at one point you have a cable to hang on to for 25 to 30 ft with the trail being 12" to 15" wide. The trail at this point is rocks and tree roots so it would be very easy to slip. Rachel and I were going down the trail and we decided that when we reached the bottom we would take a break so we could rest up for the climb out, so we took off the packs had a little snack and a drink and we were ready to go. We went around the huge rocks that were blocking the view only to realize we hadn't reached the bottom yet. If you weren't careful you could easily get off the trail through the gorge. The trail map tells you the ascent out is .1 mile, a measly 528 feet. What they don't tell you is the angle of the climb out. Anyone who went today care to guess the angle of the climb out? The climb out was hard and at times you were using the roots, rocks and your treking poles to pull yourself up. I only wish I had thought to take pictures of the descent and ascent but all I wanted to do was get out before dark. No way would anyone want to attempt that gorge in the dark.

Everyone who went on this hike was great including Father Goose.
Waterdog you have one tough little girl.
Mother Goose, Trailkitten, Stan, Kent, Rachel, Jim, Mauri, Bob, Kathy and Laura it was a pleasure to meet you I and looking forward to the next time.
Hope you guys have fun next week at Hobbs Cabin.
I hope to have what pictures I did take up sometime tonight or tomorrow evening.”

“Sounds like a great trip. One tip, if you get tired climbing out take a 10-minute break and do a set of pushups. It'll pump all the old blood out of your muscles and make you good as new.”

“Yeah Ewker. That's a fun route yall took. I like that trail!”

“Got my pictures up, hope you enjoy them
Fiery Gizzard Trip”

“I really wanna tackle that monster gorge one of these days...the map looks like a killer of a hike. nice photos.”

“Seems like I was just there last weekend.
........wait, I was there just last weekend.”

“Tres cool pix there, Ewker. I should have mine up this evening. It was good to see you again, ol' buddy!”

“Hey all! I said I would get on this board, so here I am. I had a great time this weekend, but man am I sore! It was great to meet all of you and I hope we can do it again sometime soon.”

“Hey all! I said I would get on this board, so here I am. I had a great time this weekend, but man am I sore! It was great to meet all of you and I hope we can do it again sometime soon. Oh, and Katibug, in my opinion, that was a 90 degree climb out (at least that's what it felt like!). :-)”

“Hey RachelRab, it was nice meeting you this weekend. You did great considering you had just spent the last week partying on a crusie..lol

Glad to have you on TT, lots of nice people here and quite a few from Tenn. Looking forward to hiking with you again.

Now I can add you to my list of people I have met who has posted on here.”