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Warm weather is approaching which means it's time to get active outside! Tennessee has so many spectacular places to hike and camp, many within a 90 min drive of Nashville.
So my idea is to start a monthly Mid TN hiking meetup.
The first spot is what I would consider to be my favorite place that I've ever been on this earth (granted I haven't been a lot of places -- but it is breathtaking and very remote). This would be the Fiery Gizzard trail in South Cumberland State Park (Monteagle for those of you from around here).
The Blue Hole:
Here's a PDF of the Fiery Gizzard and the Buggytop Trail Maps:
The Fiery Gizzard Trail is 12.5 miles (not a loop). The hike to Sycamore Falls is 1.3 miles (so 2.6 miles roundtrip). The Blue Hole is a 9' waterfall and Sycamore Falls is 12'. This hike is easy to moderate, with the most challenging thing being all the rocks. You hike along the Fiery Gizzard Creeks (little and big) the whole time and there's quite a steep drop off. The most important thing to remember is if you are going to look around you must stop walking. Because of all the rocks you have to keep your eyes to the trail while in motion.
I'll be taking a trip to do the 2.6 mi hike to Sycamore Falls and back here pretty soon. Depending on the timing, I may stop at the Stone Door on the way back.
Another possibility is doing the 4.4 mi to Raven's point, camping overnight, and then hiking back. At some point I'd love to do the whole 12.5 miles, either camping overnight at Raven's point or just hiking through. I think I need to work up to that though
I'm going to set a tentative date for the first hike as either Saturday, Feb 25th or Sunday, Feb 26th. The date will solely depend upon the weather. This is the perfect time of year to hike IMO because the bugs aren't out yet and my allergies haven't started. Since it's a short hike it will be leisurely and we'll probably bring a picnic lunch to enjoy at the amazing Sycamore Falls.
Post by dreamingtree on Feb 16, 2012 14:00:03 GMT -5
I love this idea!!I will preface this by saying, you know I'm not an outdoor person and I will not camp at any point (unless it involves live music)...... But, Jason and I talk about going to the many state parks, but never actually do it. I think we would be interested in doing this and Sherry said she would also. Now none of us are very fit so 2 - 3 miles would be a good start for us. I wonder if we could bring a dog or two...... I know some parks allow them and some don't.
Once it gets past May though, I don't want to deal with the heat so it's unlikely I would go in the summer.
Post by popsicle sarah on Feb 16, 2012 14:10:21 GMT -5
Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. I would bring the ones that are easily controlled on a leash as you don't want one of them seeing something and pulling you off the side of the dropoff. We've taken dogs before with no problem and especially since we won't be hiking fast it will be great!
The great thing about the Fiery Gizzard is even in the summertime it doesn't get hot since it's up on the mountain. And the creek has worn the earth down so much that you get the feeling of being "in" the earth while hiking there.
I'm excited to do this because I love hiking, but also because I'm hoping this will help me come Bonnaroo time
I said monthly in my OP, but I'm definitely down to make this more often if there's an interest.
I wouldn't mind some hiking but, I'm like dreamingtree, it would only need to be 2-3 miles!
Montgomery Bell (in Dickson) has some good trails, as does Beaman park (north of Nashville). Beaman park is actually a place I would like to explore more... it's a HUGE park/natural area. And last time I was there, there were only three other people on the trails which is sad. You don't even feel like you're in Davidson county out there.
Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. I would bring the ones that are easily controlled on a leash as you don't want one of them seeing something and pulling you off the side of the dropoff. We've taken dogs before with no problem and especially since we won't be hiking fast it will be great!
The great thing about the Fiery Gizzard is even in the summertime it doesn't get hot since it's up on the mountain. And the creek has worn the earth down so much that you get the feeling of being "in" the earth while hiking there.
I'm excited to do this because I love hiking, but also because I'm hoping this will help me come Bonnaroo time
I said monthly in my OP, but I'm definitely down to make this more often if there's an interest.
Post by popsicle sarah on Feb 16, 2012 14:34:49 GMT -5
Barfield Park in Murfreesboro has a great 3 mile loop with some pretty strenuous hills. There are two additional one mile loops off the main loop. It's a great 5 mile hike that can be done in a couple hours. Not as scenic as places on the plateau, but there is a portion of it that runs along Stones River. If it wasn't going to be raining this weekend I would be doing this hike. Grrr.
Post by dreamingtree on Feb 16, 2012 14:47:56 GMT -5
We went to Radnor once last year and liked it. I am really open to any of the parks. We really need to get out more and be more healthy and this will be a fun way to do it!
I would be down, for sure, I am SO ready for warm weather and I have gained so much weight I need to be active!! And it's Monteagle, not Mt. Eagle, hehehe. I'm a HUGE fan of Cumberland Mountian State Park in Crossville. We went every year as kids. They have cabin rentals and tent/RV camping as well. FUNFUNFUN!! Learned to ride a bike here! <3
I would be down, for sure, I am SO ready for warm weather and I have gained so much weight I need to be active!! And it's Monteagle, not Mt. Eagle, hehehe. I'm a HUGE fan of Cumberland Mountian State Park in Crossville. We went every year as kids. They have cabin rentals and tent/RV camping as well. FUNFUNFUN!! Learned to ride a bike here! <3
That's why I couldn't find it on weather.com. D'OH!
Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. I would bring the ones that are easily controlled on a leash as you don't want one of them seeing something and pulling you off the side of the dropoff. We've taken dogs before with no problem and especially since we won't be hiking fast it will be great!
The great thing about the Fiery Gizzard is even in the summertime it doesn't get hot since it's up on the mountain. And the creek has worn the earth down so much that you get the feeling of being "in" the earth while hiking there.
I'm excited to do this because I love hiking, but also because I'm hoping this will help me come Bonnaroo time
I said monthly in my OP, but I'm definitely down to make this more often if there's an interest.
Forget dogs, I'd like to go to Mammonth Cave and camp and ride with my horse for a weekend. That would be awesome. Can you see me pulling a trailer on my Kia? ^_^ (OK, so my dad has a giant deisel truck, but y'know...) Or tent sleeping that close to horse shit? hahaha.
Dogs are permitted as long as they are leashed. I would bring the ones that are easily controlled on a leash as you don't want one of them seeing something and pulling you off the side of the dropoff. We've taken dogs before with no problem and especially since we won't be hiking fast it will be great!
The great thing about the Fiery Gizzard is even in the summertime it doesn't get hot since it's up on the mountain. And the creek has worn the earth down so much that you get the feeling of being "in" the earth while hiking there.
I'm excited to do this because I love hiking, but also because I'm hoping this will help me come Bonnaroo time
I said monthly in my OP, but I'm definitely down to make this more often if there's an interest.
Post by dreamingtree on Feb 17, 2012 8:55:01 GMT -5
I realized this morning that we are going out to dinner and Lewis Black on the 25th, so we would prefer to do this on Sunday 26th if the weather is good. Let us know!
LOOOOOOOVE this idea, Sarah! Thanks for starting the thread!
Whenever y'all want to venture a little south, come see me. Outside magazine voted my city the best for outdoors.
I can guide you along some trails where I grew up. It's on Signal Mountain (overlooking Chattanooga) and it has some breath-taking views that won't leave you too breathless from overexertion. I took CapnJack to the river gorge overlook when he first came to visit. It's such a beautiful area, esp. in early spring when everything's green & blooming.
Hollie, oddly, I have never been hiking on Signal. What's the war park place called? I'd like to go there as well. Y'know, the place where everyone has photos looking down by the cannon. Need to take the young 'un!
I realized this morning that we are going out to dinner and Lewis Black on the 25th, so we would prefer to do this on Sunday 26th if the weather is good. Let us know!
Sunday sounds great to me. We'll keep an eye on the weather. Right now both days next weekend look great: high 50's and no rain.
Since we take I-24 to get there, we'll meet in Antioch somewhere right off the interstate... maybe the Target that's behind the KIA ferris wheel? Or if Sherry & Chad wanna come we can meet in Smyrna...
Post by popsicle sarah on Feb 17, 2012 19:56:39 GMT -5
How would you guys feel about stopping on the way back in either Manchester or Murfreesboro for mexican food/drinks? Not sure if there's a good mexican place in Manchester...
How would you guys feel about stopping on the way back in either Manchester or Murfreesboro for mexican food/drinks? Not sure if there's a good mexican place in Manchester...
I am ALWAYS up for Mexican food and margaritas!! ;D