Montgomery Bell TR (2)

“Montgomery Bell starts on its 11-mile path like what seems to be the standard blueprint for hiking trails, in that the opening miles out of the trailhead are a gradual pull upward. I had hit the path shortly after 1 pm, and the view of the lake to the right reminded me of why I like this sport so much.



After the somewhat obligatory up’s and down’s of making its way along ridges and the suggested dose of stream crossings, I came upon the first of three shelters within an hour of my departure from the trailhead. If there ever was a poster-child for the nondescript shelter, surely Wildcat Hollow (as it is called) fit the requirement; notched logs on three sides upon front and eight individual bunks—their bottom supported by the same wire mesh we have all grown to hate, after it tears a hole in your clothing or sleeping bag.



No sleeping for me today though, and certainly no sleeping bag. Montgomery Bell may call this an overnight trial, but my intention was to blow through the mileage, take a few pictures, and be on my merry way. The overnight loop trail makes a good scouting excursion, but LNT is apparently not all the rage in Dickson, Tennessee--the shelter and fire ring marked with cans, wrappers, and assorted forgotten memories. Oh well, it’s West Tennessee, and we all know us rednecks don’t hike—we drink beer and party until we either fall down or get into a good fight.



I considered an “out and back” hike to ensure getting back to my truck before dark, but my instincts told me that I should be able to knock out this loop trail in less than six hours, which gave me just enough time to be driving back home without even having to turn my headlights on. Onward, ever onward—isn’t that pretty much our motto? And by 3:30 pm, I was already making my way down the spur trail that would take me to Woodland shelter. I have to say, in all the places I’ve been, I can’t recall having a railroad track bordering the trail on my left, much less a golf course bordering the trail on my right.



Woodland Shelter is the same nondescript design as Wildcat, but the location is nice—tucked a good half-mile off the main trail in an elevated pine thicket. Apparently other campers found the same disdain for this shelter design, and the bare grass marked years of tents and group camping. Maybe if I waited long enough, the woods would tell me stories of exciting nights under the stars, but for now, it was time to retrace my steps back to the main trail and press on. The approach to Hall Spring Shelter is the most scenic part of the trail in my opinion—a meandering path through the pine and hardwood forest, marked by the occasional bridged water crossing. It was barely after 4 pm. and I was already coming upon the last of three shelters. If I kept this pace up, I would make my destination easily by 6pm.



The combination of hardwood and abundant water from the second lake provided an excellent habitat for the deer in the park, and by the end of the day, I would remember seeing nearly thirty—most often in groups of five to eight. The squirrels and occasional hawk made for an interesting walk, and although I was growing a bit weary of the ridge, climbing, and scent, I found myself back at my truck by a little after 5 pm. 11 miles in fours hours and fifteen minutes—not too shabby.”

“It's an easy day hike for sure but I dig crashing out in the shelters at Montgomery Bell. Wildcat is my favorite spot for the night there.”

“I loved Wildcat.....rustic with a GREAT view!!!!!

and the company was the BEST!!!”

“Dito!”

“Wildcat has the bestest water supply for sure.

:)

Sorry I didn't get to soak in all the sights and sounds when you guyz were there.

:(”