Siganl Point/Cumberland Trail

Today I began a 3 ml. walk at Signal Point Park for a short afternoon spiritual tune-up. The route chosen is very close to downtown Chattanooga and is part of the Cumberland Trail which spans over 300 mls, from the Cumberland Gap National Park, located on the KY-TN state line due north of Knoxville, south to the Prentice Cooper State Forest and Wildlife Management Area. So from this starting point it can be short day hike or one can spend several days out following the trail 13+ mls. into Prentice Cooper. There are some wonderful trails and campsites in this forest area, though on an extended hike into Prentice Cooper it's important to watch for the different hunting seasons so as to avoid having to walk through the acres open to "harvesting".
This excursion today took me down to the bridge at Middle Creek and the dam where I took some pictures and sat on a rock to enjoy the beauty seen in the colors from the trees and reflections on the water. Peace
(Yesterday a friend and I took a walk along the same route I followed last wknd, on Lookout Mtn. and have re-calculated the distance at approx, 6 mls+.)

Cumberland Trail

This day hike ended on the side of Hwy. #27, where the Tennessee River Gorge Segment of the Cumberland Trail crosses this highway and continues across the bridge over Suck Creek and up Signal Mtn. Well, actually we hiked from here down the side of #27, about 1/2 mile back to the car (Not recommended). This because not being familiar w/ this trail we started at the first obvious marked trail we saw going in the direction we wanted (towards Prentice Cooper SF/WMA). This trail turned out to be a spur from the Cumberland Trail that came out on the road this distance from the formal trail crossing. The only thing I can figure for that would be for the small parking area here allowed beside the road. Of course, as I noted my lack of experience here, there may have been something I missed or was not told about.
Meg the Hiker and I enjoyed some beautiful rock formations, cliffs, and views as we ascended and descended on this section. Oh, if you haven't noticed I forgot my camera...again. Too bad, guess now you'll have to hike it to experience the appreciation. We saw the biggest mushroom I've ever seen! This thing was at least 8-10 inches tall and the of the hood was probably 7 inches in diameter. This ' shroom was alone and just beside the trail, "standing proud".
The hike; approx. 5+ miles, would probably be considered difficult due the fact that from the starting point your immediately gaining vertical, though once the initial climb is done the trail is fairly moderate w/ as mentioned, great views and big rocks to enjoy. This will be a portion of a long day hike beginning at Signal Mtn. and ending at some point like the Indian Rock House or Snoopers Overlook on Waldens Ridge, within the Prentice Cooper SF/WMA, to be made later.