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Chattanooga Hiking Club Outings
The Chattanooga Hiking Club, in keeping with its stated purpose, tries to provide outings every weekend for persons of different skill levels. Hikes scheduled in the current month and the upcoming month are described in detail. Tentative hikes are simply listed in the Outings Schedule and are still in the planning stages. All of our hikes are led by club members volunteering their time to the cause.
In addition to the weekend formal schedule, there are regular day hikes most every Wednesday closer to Chattanooga so that less driving is involved; and there are sometimes more spontaneous hiking road trips, usually on Thursdays and/or Fridays.
The information below is provided as a guide only. Each hiker assumes the risks associated with hiking in the great outdoors, including the responsibility for paying any bills associated with rescue efforts or medical care. The wise hiker always carries drinking water, food, and first aid items, and wears or carries clothing appropriate for the season. *Always check with the Hike Leader for special considerations like medical conditions and hiking with minors.
Hike Difficulty Rating
Easy(E): 6 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.
Moderate(M): Distance of 7 - 10 miles with an elevation gain that will generally not exceed 350 feet per mile, with a total elevation gain of no more than 1000 ft.
Moderately Strenuous(MS): This hike could be 7 - 10 miles in length, but include rocky trail conditions, tricky stream crossings or elevation gain of more than 1000 ft. but less than 2000 ft.
Strenuous(S): Any hike that is a distance of 10 to 14 miles or with more than 2000 ft. total elevation gain, but no more than 3000 ft.
Extremely Strenuous(S+): Usually involves distances of more than 14 miles or more than 3000 ft. in elevation gain. There might be very steep/rugged climbs, deep stream crossings, or unmaintained trails.
Pace: Standard pace (SP) is 2 miles per hour; less on steep or rugged terrain. Fast pace (FP) is 2.5 to 3 miles per hour or more and may not vary much regardless of terrain.
For more information and to view the Chattanooga Club Policies and Constitution please click here.
The Chattanooga Hiking Club, in keeping with its stated purpose, tries to provide outings every weekend for persons of different skill levels. Hikes scheduled in the current month and the upcoming month are described in detail. Tentative hikes are simply listed in the Outings Schedule and are still in the planning stages. All of our hikes are led by club members volunteering their time to the cause.
In addition to the weekend formal schedule, there are regular day hikes most every Wednesday closer to Chattanooga so that less driving is involved; and there are sometimes more spontaneous hiking road trips, usually on Thursdays and/or Fridays.
The information below is provided as a guide only. Each hiker assumes the risks associated with hiking in the great outdoors, including the responsibility for paying any bills associated with rescue efforts or medical care. The wise hiker always carries drinking water, food, and first aid items, and wears or carries clothing appropriate for the season. *Always check with the Hike Leader for special considerations like medical conditions and hiking with minors.
Hike Difficulty Rating
Easy(E): 6 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.
Moderate(M): Distance of 7 - 10 miles with an elevation gain that will generally not exceed 350 feet per mile, with a total elevation gain of no more than 1000 ft.
Moderately Strenuous(MS): This hike could be 7 - 10 miles in length, but include rocky trail conditions, tricky stream crossings or elevation gain of more than 1000 ft. but less than 2000 ft.
Strenuous(S): Any hike that is a distance of 10 to 14 miles or with more than 2000 ft. total elevation gain, but no more than 3000 ft.
Extremely Strenuous(S+): Usually involves distances of more than 14 miles or more than 3000 ft. in elevation gain. There might be very steep/rugged climbs, deep stream crossings, or unmaintained trails.
Pace: Standard pace (SP) is 2 miles per hour; less on steep or rugged terrain. Fast pace (FP) is 2.5 to 3 miles per hour or more and may not vary much regardless of terrain.
For more information and to view the Chattanooga Club Policies and Constitution please click here.
Saturday, March 23rd
Walls of Jericho - Jackson Co, AL, North of Scottsboro
Distance: 6.5 - 7 miles
Moderately Difficult with over 1000 ft elevation gain in 2 miles
Leader: Debbie Lambert
A good online description about this trail can be found on southernoutings.com
Meeting time is 8:00 at the Walmart parking lot at 3550 Cummings Hwy -
park near gas station. It is about a 1 hour 20 minute drive.
This is a favorite, though challenging, spring hike for many. The wild flowers are spectacular and the waterfalls are amazing!
We will begin at the AL trailhead and hike down to Hurricane Creek where we will divert onto a portion of the TN trail to seek out the Virginia bluebells. We will retrace our steps and cross the creek and continue to Clark Cemetery. We will take the trail to the right to follow Turkey Creek through the canyon. There is a water crossing so please bring water shoes in case we can’t rock hop. We will have lunch at the base of the falls and return to cars following the same trail.
Bring plenty of water, snack and lunch, and money for drivers.
To register text or email Debbie at: 423-605-9011 or debs4587@comcast.net
Walls of Jericho - Jackson Co, AL, North of Scottsboro
Distance: 6.5 - 7 miles
Moderately Difficult with over 1000 ft elevation gain in 2 miles
Leader: Debbie Lambert
A good online description about this trail can be found on southernoutings.com
Meeting time is 8:00 at the Walmart parking lot at 3550 Cummings Hwy -
park near gas station. It is about a 1 hour 20 minute drive.
This is a favorite, though challenging, spring hike for many. The wild flowers are spectacular and the waterfalls are amazing!
We will begin at the AL trailhead and hike down to Hurricane Creek where we will divert onto a portion of the TN trail to seek out the Virginia bluebells. We will retrace our steps and cross the creek and continue to Clark Cemetery. We will take the trail to the right to follow Turkey Creek through the canyon. There is a water crossing so please bring water shoes in case we can’t rock hop. We will have lunch at the base of the falls and return to cars following the same trail.
Bring plenty of water, snack and lunch, and money for drivers.
To register text or email Debbie at: 423-605-9011 or debs4587@comcast.net
Saturday, March 30th
Virgin Falls State Natural Area, Sparta, TN
Distance: 9+ miles
Rating: Strenuous Elevation: 1000+ ft. (up on the way out)
Pace: Standard/Fast Trail Conditions: Rocky, uneven at times, cable crossing.
Hike leader: Shelly Lewis
Driving Time: 1 hour 45 minutes from Chattanooga Meeting Time at Trail Head: 9 am ET (8 am CT) – Virgin Falls in Central Time Zone *Depending on RSVPs I will look at arranging carpools.
Distance: 9+ miles including 8.4 mile lollipop loop and a couple short side trails
Explore the beautiful and mystical Virgin Falls on this strenuous 9+ mile journey. There are three other falls: Big Branch, Big Laurel and Sheep Cave. Virgin Falls seems to originate and disappear with no visible water source though we’ll hike up and around to peek into its subterranean source: a cool (literally and figuratively) cave on top. This is one of the best rated hikes in Tennessee but make a note that it is strenuous so please be prepared. At this time, I don’t have backup for both a fast and slow group so we will keep a pretty fast pace on this. With lunch at bottom, I’m estimating at least 6- 7 hours. I will pre-hike a few days before to see if trail is accessible so you must RSVP for updates.
To register, email Shelly Lewis at lewisshellytn@yahoo.com or 925-683-6095 (text)
Virgin Falls State Natural Area, Sparta, TN
Distance: 9+ miles
Rating: Strenuous Elevation: 1000+ ft. (up on the way out)
Pace: Standard/Fast Trail Conditions: Rocky, uneven at times, cable crossing.
Hike leader: Shelly Lewis
Driving Time: 1 hour 45 minutes from Chattanooga Meeting Time at Trail Head: 9 am ET (8 am CT) – Virgin Falls in Central Time Zone *Depending on RSVPs I will look at arranging carpools.
Distance: 9+ miles including 8.4 mile lollipop loop and a couple short side trails
Explore the beautiful and mystical Virgin Falls on this strenuous 9+ mile journey. There are three other falls: Big Branch, Big Laurel and Sheep Cave. Virgin Falls seems to originate and disappear with no visible water source though we’ll hike up and around to peek into its subterranean source: a cool (literally and figuratively) cave on top. This is one of the best rated hikes in Tennessee but make a note that it is strenuous so please be prepared. At this time, I don’t have backup for both a fast and slow group so we will keep a pretty fast pace on this. With lunch at bottom, I’m estimating at least 6- 7 hours. I will pre-hike a few days before to see if trail is accessible so you must RSVP for updates.
To register, email Shelly Lewis at lewisshellytn@yahoo.com or 925-683-6095 (text)
Saturday, April 6
Collins Gulf / Stone Door
Location: South Cumberland Plateau
Driving Time: 1 hr with a 30 min shuttle x2
Mileage : 9 to 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain : about 1000 ft
Rating: Strenuous (by combining rocky conditions, distance and elevation gain)
Pace: Standard but with time to view flowers
Trail Conditions: Rocky, river crossings
Hike leader: Susan Faidley
Who wants to see lots of flowers and amazing waterfalls?!
This hike encompasses two special spots on the Cumberland Plateau. We will start at the Collins West Trailhead and end our hike climbing up through the well-known Stone Door. After we start, we quickly come to a walk under a beautiful overhanging rock, which generally is dripping water in April, and then cross a bridge in front of Suter Falls. After a short time in a boulder field making our way around some large boulders and over small ones, we will descend about 500 ft (where the rocks are much less). Here, we will see many species of wildflowers ending part 1 at the beautiful Horsepound Falls, where we will have a snack and enjoy the falls. And we will be fortunate to have a wildflower expert on the hike with us! Then, we will walk beside the Collins River and make our way to the Connector Trail, which is a bit rocky. Right before we start off on the Connector Trail, we will make a quick detour with Terri our expert - just a short distance - to see if we can find the rare Colombo in bloom. (We saw it here last year.) Now back to the Connector Trail - which does exactly that - connects us to the trails of Stone Door - where we will then do our final 2 miles making our way through the Great Stone Door. We have a couple of crossings of the Collins River. Typically, unless there has been a lot of rain, we will cross it mostly dry due to a sink upstream diverting the water under the river bed. However, if the river is high, we will have to abort our plans to reach Stone Door and hike back up the way we came down. But, if that happens we will need to retrieve our cars anyway, and we can still walk down through the Door! I will be scouting this hike and have more specifics to report to those registering for the hike.
To register, email susanf.chchiker@gmail.com
*Please register within 48 hours of the hike, as I do have to plan for a car shuttle.
Collins Gulf / Stone Door
Location: South Cumberland Plateau
Driving Time: 1 hr with a 30 min shuttle x2
Mileage : 9 to 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain : about 1000 ft
Rating: Strenuous (by combining rocky conditions, distance and elevation gain)
Pace: Standard but with time to view flowers
Trail Conditions: Rocky, river crossings
Hike leader: Susan Faidley
Who wants to see lots of flowers and amazing waterfalls?!
This hike encompasses two special spots on the Cumberland Plateau. We will start at the Collins West Trailhead and end our hike climbing up through the well-known Stone Door. After we start, we quickly come to a walk under a beautiful overhanging rock, which generally is dripping water in April, and then cross a bridge in front of Suter Falls. After a short time in a boulder field making our way around some large boulders and over small ones, we will descend about 500 ft (where the rocks are much less). Here, we will see many species of wildflowers ending part 1 at the beautiful Horsepound Falls, where we will have a snack and enjoy the falls. And we will be fortunate to have a wildflower expert on the hike with us! Then, we will walk beside the Collins River and make our way to the Connector Trail, which is a bit rocky. Right before we start off on the Connector Trail, we will make a quick detour with Terri our expert - just a short distance - to see if we can find the rare Colombo in bloom. (We saw it here last year.) Now back to the Connector Trail - which does exactly that - connects us to the trails of Stone Door - where we will then do our final 2 miles making our way through the Great Stone Door. We have a couple of crossings of the Collins River. Typically, unless there has been a lot of rain, we will cross it mostly dry due to a sink upstream diverting the water under the river bed. However, if the river is high, we will have to abort our plans to reach Stone Door and hike back up the way we came down. But, if that happens we will need to retrieve our cars anyway, and we can still walk down through the Door! I will be scouting this hike and have more specifics to report to those registering for the hike.
To register, email susanf.chchiker@gmail.com
*Please register within 48 hours of the hike, as I do have to plan for a car shuttle.
Saturday April 13th
In and Out Hike
Location: CT Via Soddy Gulf Trailhead
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft
Rating: Moderate-Strenuous
Pace: Standard
We will begin hike @ 9:00 am. Hike in on road running along Soddy Creek on up to CT and head south on trail towards Mowbray Pike TH. We will cross a big swinging bridge and continue to another small bridge where we will break for lunch and then return. Should see plenty of wild flowers.
To Register, email rita.pendergast11@gmail.com
In and Out Hike
Location: CT Via Soddy Gulf Trailhead
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft
Rating: Moderate-Strenuous
Pace: Standard
We will begin hike @ 9:00 am. Hike in on road running along Soddy Creek on up to CT and head south on trail towards Mowbray Pike TH. We will cross a big swinging bridge and continue to another small bridge where we will break for lunch and then return. Should see plenty of wild flowers.
To Register, email rita.pendergast11@gmail.com
Sunday, April 21
Durham Trails on Lookout Mountain
Miles: approx. 8 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 900'
Rating: moderately strenuous
This will be prime time to see several varieties of wildflowers!
Need $5 exact for parking, or a GA Parks annual pass.
Email Jenny Hopkins at jenhop60@gmail.com to register.
Durham Trails on Lookout Mountain
Miles: approx. 8 miles
Elevation Gain: approximately 900'
Rating: moderately strenuous
This will be prime time to see several varieties of wildflowers!
Need $5 exact for parking, or a GA Parks annual pass.
Email Jenny Hopkins at jenhop60@gmail.com to register.
Saturday, May 4th
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Save the Date for the Annual Spring Picnic!
*CHC Members only.
Details and sign-up information to follow as the date gets closer.
Cloudland Canyon State Park
Save the Date for the Annual Spring Picnic!
*CHC Members only.
Details and sign-up information to follow as the date gets closer.