10-15 mile dayhike in Middle Tennessee?

“Anybody know of a good one besides the Savage Gulf area? I wanted to go down to Prentiss Cooper near Chattanooga, but there are scheduled hunt dates this weekend.”

“Fall Creek Falls has a couple of longer "overnight" loops that are nice.”

“how about Bridgestone/Firestone Wilderness near Sparta or Standing Stone Park”

“Also there's Big South Fork. I have a couple of maps I think.”

“Big South Fork has several miles of trai and some nice geological features too.”

“Smokies are an option, Land between the Lakes”

“yeah, I've been to Fall Creek Falls a gazillion times.

Standing Stone only has a 5 mile loop. What else is near Bridgestone/Firestone?

I havent been to Big South Fork in a while. Its soooo far away for just a dayhike!

I want something within 2 hours of Nashville.
last edited: 10/20/04 2:53:01 PM”

“go walk the greenways around town, heck you walk the streets anyway....ducking and running”

“I have several books if you want them. My choice would be a long traverse inside of BSF, maybe the Laurel Creek area.

Also.. there are parts of the Cumberland Trail that might meet your requirements. The section down close to Chattanooga really looks nice! There's also a really nice section up near (hMm.. can't think of the town -- but it's close to BSF also. It's the part that has the Devil's Raceway in it.)

Standing Stone is a cakewalk. Have you done BearWaller trail? What about the twin falls near the Dayton area?
last edited: 10/20/04 3:05:36 PM”

“There's Virgin Falls near Sparta.

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trails/tn/trail_279.php

I've not been there but hope to go this fall if I can schedule it in.”

“Thanks guys. I was hoping to find a trail that I've never been to or heard of close by. I guess thats pretty impossible seeing as though I've lived here forever!!!!!!!!!!

I may just go to Virgin Falls again. Should be full with all the rain we've had this week.”

“what about that walls of Jericho place embear - it just became public land, bet you havn't been there yet?

hmmmmm?”

“* shrugs *

I'm obviously invisible today.”

“Hell yeah, I forgot about that one Roam! I have been wanting to check that out. Do you know how long of a hike it is?

SD - I have done those sections of the CT. The one near Chattanooga is the hunt thingy this weekend. The one up north (Cumberland Mt segment) is cool too. Well, besides all the trashed yards and interstate you have to go by:) I would like to do some of the central sections, but I havent been able to find a good "loop" trail. Know of any?”

“Well there are not loop trails (obviously) of the CT, if you mean that... but I am sure you didn't. Like I said I've got every trail book of Tennessee that exists I think.

Have you done Hidden Passage in BSF? And included the tunnel portion?

Loops make it a little harder of course, but I find it hard to belive that even you -- have done everything that BSF has to offer..

;)
last edited: 10/20/04 3:18:50 PM”

“Embear, Walls of Jericho is about a 7 mile roundtrip hike, from what I've been reading. But it's down into the canyon, and back up out again, so it should be a good strenuous hike.”

“No SD, I havent. Info?

Bit - Thanx. I just might check that out. I am in need of something strenuous after the Blacks last weekend.”

“em--i still don't think there's anything wrong w/ a little garbage in the backyard. why do you keep dissin on the Cumberland Mtn segment? i looooooooooved it. oh yeah. and the pummel horse.”

“Southern ILL is not all that far -- have you consider the Garden of the Gods area?

For that matter, SW Indiana is not that far either if you have not done Knobstone yet.
last edited: 10/20/04 3:21:57 PM”

“I went to the Walls 2 weeks ago. It's awsome when you reach the canyon. It's muddy though, with all the rain. The hike out is 1000' gain in a mile and a half, gets your heart pumping. If you haven't been, it's definitely worth the trip.”

“I am in need of something strenuous after the Blacks last weekend.”
embear
3:20:24 PM
10/20/04

yeah that car ride from Mt Mitchell to Balsam gap was tough ;)”

“Hidden Passage is 8.8. MileMonster and I did it together. If you add Rock Creek or the tunnel -- shoot, you got almost 20.

I've got the "Hiking Trails of Big South Fork" book if you want it. Pretty indispensible for that area.
last edited: 10/20/04 3:23:49 PM”

“Oh hush Ewker. You're just jealous you didnt get to see Yam and Gem! :)

Yam - I totally forgot about the pommel horse. That just made me laugh out loud!!!”

“how could you forget the pummel horse? it was........eye opening.”

“hey did we ever get a picture of that?”

“Thanks SD for the info!”

“I don't think so. Thats when it rained so much my camera broke.”

“I have to run to a meeting, girl

I can get that book to you if you need it.

By the way, check this link out. It's the same trails I'm suggesting basically.. and looks like a trip I'd make as soon as I could.

http://www.twohikers.org/SE_Hiking/bigsouthforkbackpack.htm”

“The trace has 25 miles of trails from just south of Liepers Fork to Hwy 50. I have hiked about half of this. Most is pretty good, some rough places where the horses have ruined the trail. Start at Garrison Creek trailhead and go south to Tennessee divide parking area. The area south of Burns Branch will eventually have 840 overpass, so go now while you can. 840 will not have an exit to the Trace (so far), but it will still damage a nice area. Let me know when you are going and maybe we can arrange a shuttle.
last edited: 10/20/04 3:40:33 PM”

“Bridgestone/Firestone Wilderness is right next to Virgin Falls. Let me know if you need a map Embear. It makes a great loop!”

“When ya going?”

“Bearwaller Gap trail is 12 miles and has some small waterfalls and views along the Cumberland River. The trail is kinda boring though and was kinda of grown over the last time I was there. It's only 50 miles from Nashville though. For some reason it is a highly rated trail.”

“I didn't know that trail was still in existance.”

“I did it last November. It's still there. The camping area was actually pretty nice.”

“EarthNSky: I enjoyed it. Almost waited too long though, the poison plants of the earth wanted badly to take over. I've done it twice actually -- first was raining like heck, and I ended up turning back -- but shoot, I was walking in tennis shoes that day anyway. I musta wanted to hike bad!!..

Second time was better. Had the benefit of a shuttle car and a willing partner in crime to make our way up (park to overlook). Now that was an enjoyable hike!

In both cases however -- key point being that it is a trail best done in late fall or early spring. IMHO.”

“I didn't realize it was 12 though. We musta hauled butt that day!”

“Alright, I think I'm going to do the Walls of Jericho on Sunday. Anyone want to join me? Anybody have directions or a map?

SD/TD or whoever you are:) - I think BSF is too far of a drive for me on Sunday. I havent done a whole lot in that area and want to this winter/spring, so I may ask to borrow that book from ya. I would rather do some overnight trips out there.”

“embear: okie dokie. I will pick it up from the house, and it's yours as long as you need it. I can drop it off Friday if you are going to be somewhere where I can hand it off.”

“I will be at the symphony office in Green Hills from 11-3:30 tomorrow. But no hurry - I prolly won't need it until after xmas.”

“Embear, here's a page that says how to get there from Huntsville.

Here are mapquest directions from Nashville to Jericho, AL”

“I'm thinking about joining you after seeing that pic of you on the Atonement page...

Seriously, I am considering it. I am down with a head cold right now though so it is dependent on that. What time do you think you'll be at the trailhead?”

“Oh, and the first page I linked to has more info than just directions, so you definitely want to take a look at it.”

“Here's the directions put in the Tennessean when it opened in August.
http://www.tennessean.com/growth/archives/04/08/56490285.shtml?Element_ID=56490285”

“Bit - I don't know. I am not an early riser, and I have to work late at the symphony sat night, but I think I could probably get there by 10.

Thanks couch.”

“embear: I don't leave work till after 3:30 usually, even on Fridays. Do you know where you will be a couple hours later.. say 5pm?”

“Mammoth Cave is close by. Nice trails, but watch out for chiggers. I am still itching”

“TD - I will prolly be at the gym. Maybe I could get it sometime next week.

Hey WD - when you were at Mammoth, were the trails pretty horsified?”

“Embear: Okies. I'll just put it in my car, and you are welcome to it whenever our paths cross.”

“Have you looked into the Piney River Trail near Spring City? Bowater has some info at www.bowater.com.”