Lookout for what....March 27th

Today I joined Meg the Hiker for walk along some trails on Lookout Mtn. The weather was fabulous, low 70's, PC, light wind under the trees.
We began this from a parking area on the left side of the street, just above St Elmo, on Hwy #58. From this trailhead parking we crossed the busy road very carefully, as the auto traffic from both directions was dealing w/ turns and restricted vision. Once across we walked along a service road which 1 mile later brought us to Ruby Falls, and another busy road crossing. This put us in the lower part of the parking lot described by 'forest case' in his entry "Ruby Falls", 3/11/08 From here we navigated are way to another service road in the back of the lot and began to slowly distance ourselves from the "busy-ness" of Ruby Falls parking. While walking under, and just past the rails for the Incline Railway a train passed, we turned to watch and wave to the folks as they climbed upward. Along here we had views of the Tennessee River and downtown Chattanooga. We continued along what I believe was the Upper Truck trail and noticed a transition from healthy hardwoods into an area of mixed hardwood and pines, noted by the pines mostly destroyed and decaying because of the Pine Beetle.
I encourage you to learn more about this. You can find further information at the Chattanooga Nature Center, located here on Lookout Mtn. (423-821-1160).
When we reached the intersection for the Gum Spring trail going to Sunset Rock, (we've walked this trail numerous times) we chose follow it and hiked up for a 1/4 mile or so and then sat on some rocks to rest and talk for a while. "The Hiker" then suggested we return to the intersection and continue on the Upper Truck trail, which we did. This portion of the trail reminded us of recent hikes on Pigeon Mtn., w/ both the terrain and open areas beneath the Big trees. Absolutely a beautiful walking trail.
All of the trails mentioned here were easy to moderate, except the Gum Spring trail which would be considered difficult. From the Upper Truck trail there were views of the cliffs and overlooks above and a view into the valleys below w/ Raccoon, Hicks, and Elder Mountains; others as well, visible in the distance. We walked at least 6 and a 1/2 miles of wide and enjoyable trails. Peace!

The Twins on LeConte March 22nd, 23rd

Wow! They did really well, as far as they could. Being that the twins are not peaks, rather 2 seven year old males, who are also my nephews.
They pretty much kicked butt as we (the twins and their father, "Brother Francis") climbed Alum Cave Trail. Standard BS as they climbed like, " when are we going to get to the mountain", just before Arch Rock, and just before reaching the top, "when are we going to be at the top?". How many times have I asked the same thing to myself as I explored a new trial? Their physical ability was challenged; so was my patience, as the 5 mile climb was ending, yet you couldn't tell this by the way they played on the ice near the shelter. We started encountering patches of ice just before Alum Cave, and several places up and beyond there were very "slickery", w/ ice and snow pack on the narrow trails. Thanks for the wire "hand Rails".
The night was shared at the shelter w/ new friends from St. Louis, who were backpacking novices just learning on the trail, and some folks w/ vast experience from NW Alabama, forget the town, though they have been provided w/ this blog 'dress and hopefully will become regular contributors. Soon after sunset the melted ice was refreezing. Overnight temperatures were probably in the mid 20's, w/ a wind chill in the teens making it very slick in spots along the mid-morning descent. "Bros. Francis" made a great save on an icy narrow spot in the trail which was bordered on one side by only "vertical and views". As soon as they send the photos I'll post some great pictures!
Peace,

Ruby Falls

Yes that is right, Ruby Falls one of the top tourist attractions in the Southeast has a back door. The trail head begins at the back of the parking lot and is a park service fire road for two miles. My first trip on this trail was in the fall of the year when the leaves make that comforting rustling sound as you walk. At approximately one mile on the left is the ruins of a CCC camp. I read recently the CCC workers planted more than 3 billion trees. I wonder as I walk and look around me if any of the trees that supply the canopy were planted by the CCC.

At 1.5 miles the road ends and you can walk straight ahead around Lookout Mountain for several miles, or turn left and trace the rifle pits of Civil War soldiers which are still very evident on the side of the mountain. This area is just a small part of the land set aside around Chattanooga as a memorial to the Civil War.

This whole area has been logged, but it has been such a long time the forest gives the appearance of old growth. The canopy is a hundred feet overhead and thick so that in most places the undergrowth is limited.

Snow on the West Prong March 8th

Wow! What a great walk in the snow this was. I left the W. Prong Trail Head across from Tremont; a trail I've been a couple of times from different directions, over the last month or so, and continued up and over to the #18 campsite. The snow had been, and continued to fall, heavily at times, along the walk enhancing the quiet and beauty. I spoke w/ some backpackers at the campsite and listened to their story of having arrived after dark and the search for the cable(s) to haul their gear up only to find one which was broken. It barely got the packs above their heads and not beyond their outstretched arms. Easy reach, they pointed out, for a determined bear. There was another cable system across the creek though not very noticeable in the dark. On my return along the trail I passed a group of folks (4) who were in sneakers and going to #18 as well. They were day hikers. About a quarter mile out from the trailhead I passed 3 men who were going in to camp at #18. Everyone was simply loving the snow, the quiet, the beauty!!!
This roundtrip was approximately 4mls+-, and is a great moderate hike for a late in the afternoon arrival to reach a backcountry site, or as I did a moderate day hike, one can do in under 2 hours depending on what's up w/ you.