Chattanooga Nature Center and Tennessee Wild are announcing a series of five wilderness hikes in six weeks starting September 5, 2009. These events are free and open to the public.
Tennessee Wild Field Organizer Jeff Hunter will co-lead these exciting backcountry hikes with Staff from the Chattanooga Nature Center. These outings will highlight areas in the Cherokee National Forest under consideration for wilderness designation.
"Since the Nature Center's mission is to develop an ethic of stewardship for the land, we are honored to co-sponsor this hiking series with TN Wild," Dr. Jean Lomino, CNC Executive Director said. "Expansion of these wilderness areas is crucial to the long-term health of the Cherokee National Forest and ultimately our own Tennessee Valley ecosystem."
Hike Schedule:
Saturday September 5
Little Frog Wilderness, Cherokee National Forest
7.4 miles- rated - moderate
Travel time from Chattanooga- 1 hour 15 minutes (one way)
This hike will explore the Little Frog Wilderness near the Ocoee Whitewater Center. The hike will involve nearly 900 feet of elevation gain and explore a beautiful Southern Appalachian forest. Participants should bring a bag lunch to enjoy out on the trail. A 1-mile car shuttle will be required.
Saturday September 12
Slickrock Creek Trail
Joyce Kilmer Slickrock Wilderness, Nantahala National Forest
6.2 miles - rated - moderate
Travel time from Chattanooga - 2 hours 50 minutes (one way)
This hike will explore one of the most beloved wilderness areas in eastern America. We will follow a gentle trail into the wilderness area, and then follow Slickrock Creek to a 15' waterfall. The weather in early September should be ideal for swimming, so participants should come prepared to get wet. Participants should also bring a bag lunch. Time permitting, we will visit the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest to view a remnant old growth forest. This will be a long day full of fun and rewards.
Saturday September 26
Kirkland Creek Trail
Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area, Cherokee National Forest
6 miles - rated - moderate
Travel time from Chattanooga - 2 hours (one way)
This in & out hike will follow a gentle rail grade for approximately 3 miles. We will ford Kirkland Creek 11 times in that distance. Participants should bring a bag lunch to enjoy on the trail. After lunch, we will retrace our steps and return to the trailhead. Participants should consider wearing footwear that can get wet, and also consider carrying a hiking pole for the creek crossings.
Sunday October 4
Big Creek - Grassy Gap - Yellow Stand Lead Loop
Big Frog Wilderness, Cherokee National Forest
6.4 miles - rated - moderate
Travel time from Chattanooga - 1 hour 40 minutes (one way)
This 6.4-mile loop hike will take us into one of the largest Forest Service wilderness areas in the Eastern United States. This is prime black bear country. We will traverse a number of different habitats and return to within 100 yards of our vehicles without retracing our steps. Participants should bring a bag lunch.
Sunday October 11
Brookshire Creek - Benton MacKaye Trail hike
Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area, Cherokee National Forest
7 miles - rated - strenuous
Travel time from Chattanooga - 2 hours (one way)
This 7-mile hike will take us into the heart of the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area. We will follow the gently sloping Brookshire Creek Trail 2 miles through beautiful hardwood forest to the Benton MacKaye Trail. We will then follow the Benton MacKaye Trail 5 miles over Sugar Mountain Lead and down to the Tellico River. Participants should bring a bag lunch. If the trout hatchery is open, we will pay it a visit. This hike will require a 25 minute car shuttle.
All hikes are free and open to the public. Registration is required and space is limited on each outing. For more information or to register, please contact Jeff Hunter at 423-322-7866 or Jeff@safc.org [1].
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