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By Jenni Frankenberg Veal at Nooga.com
The Great Stone Door, just one of the attractions on the South Cumberland Plateau. (Photo: Bob Butters)
The South Cumberland Plateau-known to many as Monteagle Mountain-makes for a great family "staycation" or weekend destination. Located just 45 minutes northwest of Chattanooga, this scenic and historical landscape offers a wide range of adventure for all ages and interests. Read more.
By Bob Butters at Nooga.com
The bald eagle nest at Kimball Park. (Photo: Bob Butters)
Unlike most birds, bald eagles in our region tend to nest during the winter months, with egg-laying taking place from December to February. In early January, I discovered a new bald eagle nest high in a tree on the riverbank at Kimball Park. Read more.
One of the eagles perched in its favorite tree at Kimball Park. (Photo: Bob Butters)
Looking toward the riverbank, you can see the eagle nest to the left, and the tree they like to perch in straight ahead at the end of the road. (Photo: Bob Butters)
Tennessee Aquarium News Release
The River Gorge Explorer. (Photo: Karen Estes)
Chattanooga, Tenn. (Feb 11, 2016) –Captain Pete Hosemann has spent
almost as much of his life on the water as he has on land. He grew up
in a nautical family with a father and brother who were also riverboat
captains. He has piloted vessels of almost all sizes and types
including the Tennessee Aquarium River Gorge Explorer.
On Saturday, February 13th Captain Pete will log the Explorer’s 5,000th
cruise. “To log that number of trips in an eight year period is pretty
impressive,” said Hosemann. “I’ve always said I have the best office in
the world, which is in the wheelhouse out on the Tennessee River.”
Throughout his career, he’s used his position to educate others about
the importance of our rivers. More than 216,000 guests have traveled
with the Explorer’s crew on eco-tours to learn about the history,
wildlife and protected habitat of the Tennessee River Gorge. Other
specially themed cruises have carried guests to, and through, the
Chickamauga Lock and recently to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge to
witness the spectacle of migrating Sandhill Cranes.
As an extension of the “Mountains to the Sea” journey guests embark
upon within the Aquarium’s two buildings, the River Gorge Explorer
serves as a floating classroom to connect more people to the watershed
that flows through our community. “As a society we ask a lot of our
rivers, so I think we all need to understand and appreciate their
importance in our lives,” said Hosemann. “Our rivers provide us with a
water supply for our homes, industry, power generation, transportation,
recreation and of course habitat for wildlife.”
When the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, TRGT, began protecting land 35
years ago, the idea was to preserve the biologically rich habitat and
protect the scenic views that were best seen from the water’s edge
looking up. The Explorer provides access to this reserve for tens of
thousands of people each year who might not otherwise visit this
treasured place. “The Tennessee Aquarium and the Tennessee River Gorge
Trust have a long history of protecting the water and land resources
within our community,” said TRGT executive director Rick Huffines. “We
are deeply grateful to the Aquarium for sharing the beauty of the
Tennessee River Gorge with the visitors and residents of this
community.”
The 5000th cruise will depart the Chattanooga Pier at 12:30pm on
Saturday, February 13. Captain Pete, Captain Kyle Payne and Aquarium
naturalist John Dever have been part of the top-rated crew since
operations began. “Two of the things I have enjoyed the most is seeing
the light of understanding click on whenever we have school groups on
the boat and seeing repeat guests,” said Hosemann. “We try to go the
extra mile for every passenger, so when you see people who come back
with friends and family it’s a tremendous compliment to the entire
crew.”
Check the daily cruise schedule and purchase tickets online:
http://www.tnaqua.org/plan-your-visit/river-gorge-explorer
Register online http://www.tnaqua.org/events-programs for these
specially themed cruises aboard the River Gorge Explorer:
Sunday, February 14: Valentine’s Sunset Cruise
Saturday, March 19: Williams Island Kids Adventure Cruise
Saturday, April 16: Secrets of the Riverbank Cruise
Sunday, May 8: Happy Mother’s Day Cruise
Saturday, May 14: Spring Fling with the Tennessee Aquarium
Conservation Institute Cruise
The River Gorge Explorer's Captain Pete Hosemann.
FSC News Release
Ranger Park Greer positions a large stone step on one of the many rock staircases being built along the Fiery Gizzard Trail reroute. (Photo: Rick Dreves)
On Feb. 6, the Friends of South Cumberland (FSC)announced the receipt of a $2,000 grant from the Tennessee Trails Association (TTA) for equipment to help with the ongoing work of rerouting the popular Fiery Gizzard Trail. The grant will allow the rangers to purchase a lifting system to move large rocks, bridge lumber, and other trail-building materials. “TTA generously agreed to fund the kit and all the cables, trolleys, pulleys, and accessories that would allow the hoist to be used to its full potential across much greater distances,” observes FSC Vice-President Naullain Kendrick. “This gear will have multiple uses, even after the trail reroute is complete, including rescue potential. It’s a key piece of equipment that will benefit the park for years to come, and we thank TTA for its generosity.”
Beams have been placed for the new bridge that will carry the Fiery Gizzard Trail across McAlloyd Branch. (Photo: Rick Dreves)
Volunteers are needed to help with the effort, which will result in moving a key section of the trail onto park property and off of private land atop the Cumberland Plateau. “So far, the trail work has had awesome support,” said Ranger Park Greer. “How quickly we complete the work depends entirely on how many volunteers we get.” Volunteer work parties take place every Saturday. Workers should meet at 9:00 am at the Grundy Forest parking area in Tracy City. Rangers will transport volunteers to the trail reroute site. The groups usually work until 1:00 or 2:00 pm.
One of several new staircases that will ease hikers' climbs as they ascend out of McAlloyd Cove. (Photo: Rick Dreves)
“We have jobs for all ages and skill levels,” Greer explained. “It’s not just moving boulders — we need people to rake leaves, level the soil, trim branches, and deliver tools.” Scout troops, church groups and community service organizations are encouraged to bring members. For information, contact Jason Reynolds, the ranger in charge of the reroute: [email protected] or go to the FSC MeetUp page online at Meetup.com/Friends- of-South-Cumberland-State-Park.
Map of the Fiery Gizzard Trail reroute.
The effort received an earlier financial boost from the Lyndhurst Foundation in Chattanooga, which provided a $25,000 grant to build a massive bridge across McAlloyd Creek and two staircases. Materials for these structures were air-dropped into the gorge with help from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, which provided one of its helicopters to make the unusual delivery.
The new route presents hikers with heretofore unseen and spectacular views of cascades and smaller falls in the creek. Greer noted, “While the reroute adds some difficulty to the trail, the new views along the way make it totally worth it! It’s your state park, it’s your trail. Please come out and help us!”
Margaret Matens
Volunteers move rocks on the Fiery Gizzard Trail reroute.
FSC News Release
“Hike into History” is Theme of 2016 FSC Challenge
The Friends of South Cumberland (FSC) announces Hike into History, its third annual hiking challenge, with a kickoff event on February 27. According to Naullain Kendrick, Challenge Coordinator, “The Hike into History theme will highlight the interaction of people throughout history with South Cumberland State Park. Hike topics include Native American Presence, Timbering, Mining, Railroads, Pioneers, Natural History and more. Hikers can see evidence of a pioneer settlements, moonshine stills, narrow-gauge railways, coal mines and logging operations.” The FSC teamed with Ranger Park Greer to plan hikes that focus on the region’s rich history and explore many different areas of the sprawling 25,000 acre park, which spans portions of Franklin, Marion, Grundy and Sequatchie counties.
This year, two levels of hikes will be offered: the Discovery Series for typical hikers and the Adventurer Series for those who want a more challenging, “off-trail” experience. Ranger Greer is leading the Adventurer Series hikes (scheduled monthly, beginning in April), which will include rappelling, caving, and archeological exploration. A $25 fee for each hike includes lunch and off-trail equipment, with proceeds benefitting the FSC. Register for any of the Adventurer Series hikes via the FSC MeetUp page at meetup.com/Friends-of-South-Cumberland-State-Park. Joining the FSC MeetUp group is free, and will insure that you receive updates about both hike series.
There is no charge for the Discovery hikes, which will be scheduled throughout 2016 and will be led by rangers and FSC volunteers. Self guiding information about each hike is posted to the 2016 Challenge website at HikeIntoHistory.org for those who choose to hike on their own.
Both series of history-themed hikes will be introduced at a kickoff brunch on February 27 at historic Dutch Maid Bakery, followed by a Discovery Series hike at Fiery Gizzard. Registration and a Moonshine Brunch will begin at 9:30 am. Organizers will present a video overview of the upcoming hikes and will answer questions. Registration and brunch is $15 for FSC members and $20 for non-members, with an option to join FSC at the event.
At noon, a guided hike along Fiery Gizzard Creek will include a visit remains of a moonshine still and the Civilian Conservation Corps work camp. From noon to 3:00 pm, the public is also invited to stop by the South Cumberland State Park Visitors Center on Highway 41 to see the newly-renovated exhibit areas.
“Taking on the challenge of bringing more people to see the wonders of this vast park has been rewarding,” said Kendrick. “South Cumberland State Park has so much to offer. We’re challenging you to come and experience it for yourself!” To learn more, visit HikeIntoHistory.org orFriendsOfSouthCumberland.org.
Sewanee No. 1 was a well known engine on the TCI&RR Line-- Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Company. Trains, coal mining, and lumbering are all a part of the history of South Cumberland State Park. This year the Friends of South Cumberland offer a great way to explore the park while learning as you "Hike into History."
A History Hike in Big Creek Gulf Story and Photos by Bob Butters
I got a jump on the history hiking theme when Kim and I joined a group of hikers from the Upper Cumberland Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association on February 6th for a hike in Big Creek Gulf, much of which was off-trail. The hike was led by Richard Savage, from the family Savage Gulf was named after. By the end of a day of extensive hiking, I had seen a number of amazing features of Big Creek Gulf for the first time.
A winter view from the Stone Door Overlook towards the confluence of Big Creek, Collins, and Savage Gulfs.
Hikers descend through the Great Stone Door. From here, we hiked down the Big Creek Gulf Trail to Big Creek, where the plan had been to cross the creek where it usually runs underground. But due to recent heavy rains, the creek was higher than some of us wanted to cross, so all but two of us decided to take an alternate route.
One of several springs (on the left) where in drier times the entire creek emerges from underground after having gone into the ground at a sink upstream. After exploring this area a bit, we climbed back up to the Connector Trail, following it to a swinging bridge across Big Creek.
Back upstream a half mile or so from the swinging bridge, we came across this stream which diverts from Big Creek and runs into the base of the hill in the background, where it sinks into the ground.
Another sink on Big Creek, where the remaining water disappears into the ground. For scale, note the hiker with the yellow pack and blue hat just beyond the big moss covered boulder in the center. From here, we continued downstream, crossing a dry creek bed where debris patterns indicated a large volume of water had recently been flowing.
Eventually, we arrived at the historic Decatur Savage Cabin, in the mouth of Big Creek Gulf. From here, we climbed back out of the gulf with about an 800 foot elevation gain on the route of the old Grassy Ridge Road. Along the way, we saw an extensive stone wall which ran along an old road bed from the 1800s.
Mr. Savage also showed us a 1939 aerial photograph of the gulf, which showed several open fields in the bottom.
All in all, it was a fascinating day hiking into history in the Savage Gulf State Natural Area.
(Photo: Bob Butters)
In January, on two trips to Crow Creek I was able to see sandhill cranes, bald eagles, ducks, and more. On January 9th I led an outing there for Outdoor Chattanooga. The water level was a bit high due to recent heavy rains, so the sandhill cranes, which prefer to congregate on shoreline mud flats or fields, were hanging out in a field in the back portion of the refuge. We were able to drive around to that location and get a decent look at a flock of cranes.
(Photo: Bob Butters)
Back at Stevenson City Park (which occupies a peninsula in the refuge), we saw a variety of ducks, including scaups, pintails, ruddy ducks, and more, as well as coots and Canada geese. A lone snow goose accompanied the Canada geese. Plus, we spotted four immature bald eagles perched in trees along the shore.
(Photo: Donna Bourdon)
One of the few place I ever see them, I generally always spot two or three red-headed woodpeckers at Stevenson Park. One of the outing's participants, Donna Bourdon, brought along a camera with a long telephoto lens and was able to get the above shot.
(Photo: Bob Butters)
This great blue heron, several killdeer, and a couple of great egrets were some of the other birds seen at crow creek in January.
On a second trip. the water levels had receded more, so flocks of sandhill cranes were gathering on the shorelines across from the park. I'm unsure of how long the cranes are there. According to the Tennessee Watchable Wildlife website, sandhill crane spring migration runs from mid-February through late March.
But Stevenson City Park and Crow Creek Refuge offer good opportunities for birding any time of year.
Bob Butters