West Tennessee

“I'm a student at the University of Tennessee at Martin. Over Christmas break, I got to do my first overnight backpacking trip (I've done lots of day hikes, but just now got around to staying the night). I want to do more hikes on weekends and breaks, but it looks like the nearest places are 2hrs+ away, and I can't afford lots of gas money. Does anybody know some places near Martin that would be decent backpacking sites?”

“Mousetail Landing, Land Between the Lakes,”

“Do the loop at Mousetail and be sure to stay in shelter 2. It has a great view of the TN river and the moss that covers the trail is pretty cool.”

“Ft Pillow has a 6 mile linear trail to a back country campsite on what will someday be the Chicasaw Bluff Trail.

Also there is a state park down near Selmer (can't think of the name of it off hand) that has a 15 mile loop with a shelter.

Cross the river at Dyersburg and you can get across to the Irish Wildnerness in MO pretty quickly.”

“If you find a place in West TN let me know. I haven't had much luck.

Chili, did you get a chance to hike this weekend? The weather at GSMNP was great! Not a drop of rain. I got to climb Chimney tops and Le Conte.”

“No, I am still recovering from a broken fibula. I took a ride down to Fontana and back across NFG on Saturday. I went to Paint Creek and Hot Springs on Sunday.

Big Hill Pond is the place I was thinking about. Near Selmer.
last edited: 1/16/07 10:35:35 AM”

“If you decide to splurg one weekend, check out Savage Gulf down near Chatanooga”

“I forgot about Savage Gulf. If you want to get away from crowds it is perfect but watch out for the ticks. It has miles and miles of good trails and wonderful water falls. Da%n, now I want to go.”

“Shoot, Savage Gulf is probably 5 hrs from this guy.”

“According to travel planner it's 6 hrs.”

“4 hours... sorry.

Reelfoot says it has trails but they seem like they wouldn't be that great. Just a guess though.”

“I'm referring to Savage on the travel times.”

“The four hours was mapquest so travel planner is probably closer with 6 hours.

Save up money for gas. From what I have seen, West TN doesn't provide much in the way of great hiking. If you do find something, be sure to let me know.”

“I may have grabbed the wrong town too. It looked like it was in the extreme NW corner of the state. I did 75 interstate and 65 4 way divided. Regardless, it's a long way. I was going to suggest Sipsey until I saw how far north he is.”

“Land Between the Lakes is your only real option. Don't pay any attention to the others, Dayhiker means well...but he's from Alabama...what does he know of east Tennessee?...except maybe Chili. He knows the truth and paid attention to your requets. The other potential area is Natchez trace State Park and Forest, but I have no knowledge of that place. Chili's suggestion of the Irish Wilderness is a sound one. To get there, you must come through me. If gas is an issue...drive to me, park your car and I'll drive from there. weekend gigs are what I do. Probably more than most on the board...not boasting here, but its the truth that I get out most weekends.

Feel free to email me at mherring@we.rr.com.

Take care...

Marc”

“I'll vouch for stikmon. Besides, if you go with him you will have a campfire you can see from space.”

“plus a singing dog-faced boy, and a flute lullaby”

“If you search through stikmon's post over the years while deciding if you should travel with him, just remember, he's not as scary in person! He's a fun guy to hike with.”

“and kind words. Luv ya'll too!

Even though ya'll are backpacking posers.”

“stikmon - what would a new stick cost me? Out of context quotes, here I cum!!!”

“Nothing too strenuous in this part of the world. I'm a geology major and I know exactly why that is, but it doesn't make it any better...

Anyway, does anyone know about the St. Francois Mntns? I've heard people around here talking about them, but I've never been.”

“Just for kicks and giggles, you need to read both of stickmons Buffalo River threads.

First he lost all his #&%!$ in a flood. Second he drug his canoe over flat rocks for a few miles.

Both are bonafide classics.”

“Yes they are. I think those threads are the real reason stiky doesn't show up around here more.

Keep draggin' Marc, keep draggin'!”

“Or...."hey, what are you doing down there"”