Fiery Gizzard Dayhike

 

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Starting out

19 degrees at the Brown's Ferry exit meeting place! 17 hikers met to go in search of the snow and icicle wonderland promised by the ranger at the South Cumberland State Recreation Area. Up there (Monteagle) the back roads still had a good bit of snow and ice, but with caution we safely arrived at the trail head for the Grundy Forest. The wonderland lay before us and we eagerly but slowly stepped off into it.

Sometimes there was powder, sometimes visible ice, and sometimes ice covered by powder. The trees were beautifully flocked by the snow.
As the trail came alongside the Little Fiery Gizzard Creek the dramatic icicle scenes began to appear. The Black Canyon cascade formed where the Big and Little Fiery Gizzard Creeks merge was amazing as unusual ice structures had been formed when the water fell to the bottom and "piled up" down there. It was a bit trickier underfoot as we crossed the uneven ground, rocks, and frozen streams to get to Sycamore Falls, but it was so worth it! The falls were mostly frozen and presented an ice fall from way above our heads to the pool below. Most hiked on toward the Dog Hole trail as there is a memorable ice flow a short distance up that trail. Only a few hiked on up to that spot as you could actually see it from down by the creek and there had been so many such beautiful scenes along the trail previously.
Falls on the return Footbridge on the return
Counting our blessings for the safe hike, peeling off gloves and hats as our hike neared the end, and hungry, most drove out to Papa Ron's for lunch. Today's brave and greatly rewarded trekkers were: Louis Spencer, Susan Garrett, Trish Appleton, Larry Parks, Charlie Breeding, Jennie Chandler, Barbara McCollum, Gwen Brimer, Wanda McCarter, Bob Rahn, Patricia Smith, John Dever, Patti Giles, Renee Grace, Debbie Lambert, John Rowland and Che Carico reporting. Memorable quotes: "Call me crazy, but I may never again in my lifetime experience a polar vortex!" as Barbara McCollum started out from Rome, GA to join us for this short hike. "This is the best ever!" Patricia Smith question: "Wanda, are we crazy?" Answer: "Yes, but I love it!"

Photos, John

Last updated: September 15, 2014

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