Daddys Creek

Bob DeHart and Don Deakins explored the Daddys Creek end of Obed Wild and Scenic River Segment of Cumberland Trail. We left the Daddys Creek parking area and headed toward Nemo Trailhead with no intentions of hiking the 14 miles between these two points. Our destination was Blueberry Bluff Overlook, Morgans Overlook, and a rock house which is labeled "rain house' on the Cumberland Trail map. We stopped for lunch at the rock house and then hiked back to Daddys Creek for a total distance of just over 4 miles. As we approached the spur trail to Blueberry Bluff Overlook on our hike in, a Whip-poor-will flushed in front of us and flew just a short distance down the trail and flushed again as we approached it. It seemed strange that it didn't venture far from us but we ignored it. As we returned down the same section of trail, the Whip-poor-will again flushed in front of us and landed just a short distance down the trail. We suspected it must have a nest along the trail. A quick search revealed one egg laying on the leaves at trails edge. We photographed the egg and moved on to allow mama Whip-poor-will to returned to her incubation duties.

Slideshow of Bob's photos

Slideshow of Don's photos

Lunch break at rock house

New River

Bob DeHart, Carol Deakins, and Don Deakins drove up to the boonies where the New River segment of Cumberland Trail is located and attempted to locate some of the trail access points on the south side of New River. We began at the the Norma Road parking area which is located at the point where the trail crosses Norma Road.

From there we took a jeep trail across the New River to a parking area near Lower Lick Creek Bridge. This parking area will seldom if ever be used because it is accessible by 4 wheel drive only and the jeep trail to it is hard to find if you don't know where to look.

Next we attempted to find the Bowling Town Road access point but Bowling Town Road ended while we were still one half mile from the parking area. We would have had to drive thru someone's yard to explore beyond the end of the road so we chose to turn around and move on.

The next access point was easy to locate. The trail intersects the intersection of Cave Branch Road and Smoky Creek Road, crosses Smoky Creek Road and then crosses Smoky Creek. Here we paused for lunch before beginning the long slow journey back to civilization.

 Slideshow of Don's photos

Norma Road parking area

Morgan Creek Campsites

Bob DeHart and I made a trip to Laurel-Snow with intentions of hiking to Snow Falls to obtain GPS data for the recently constructed campsite and accompanying spur trail. We were prepared to wade across Morgan Creek but were pleasantly surprised to discover the campsite was built just a short distance before reaching Morgan Creek which kept our round trip hiking distance to about 9 miles.

Three separate sites were cleared which should provide sufficient space for any number of backpackers that make it this far back into the Laurel-Snow area. These sites are in a beautiful grassy area and near Morgan Creek which will provide drinking water and a place to cool down in hot weather.

Slideshow of Don's photos

Crossing Richland Creek

Soddy Gorge

Bob DeHart and Don Deakins joined Murfreesboro TTA hikers Jim Schroeder, Mike Ketchen, Diana Ketchen, and Martin McCullough on a 4.9 mile hike of Soddy Gorge between Mowbray Pike and Sluder Lane. Today's hike was not only enjoyable but also informative because Jim Schroeder helped design and construct this trail segment and was able to provide a history of the trail and surrounding terrain.

Slideshow of Don's photos

Slideshow of Bob's photos

Group photo at Mowbray Pike trailhead

Rock Creek Loop

Bob DeHart and I had Rock Creek to ourselves today but we were not alone. Usually it is extremely quite along this trail except for the sound of Rock Creek far below but today the woods were alive with singing birds unlike I've ever heard before. It surely created a different and enjoyable atmosphere.

Snack break on Rock Creek

Steve's Landing

Judy Varner, TC Varner, Bob DeHart, Mark Jordan, Teresa Jordan, Jan Agee, Brandy Selman, Carol Deakins, and Don Deakins met at Steve's Landing for some excellent grub. Some of us paddled kayaks to get there while others drove but a big time was had by all. We may just do this again in the not to distant future.

Slideshow of Don's photos

Ready to put on feed bag at Steve's Landing

Kayak Moon Watch

Denise Shepard, Brandy Selman, Jan Agee, Judy Varner, TC Varner, and Don Deakins took  kayaks to Soddy Lake in the late evening so we could observe from the water the hyped rising of a full moon while at its closest point in its orbit to earth. The moon was bright but probably not any brighter than most people have seen before. The best part of the evening was paddling around Soddy Lake at night. Looks like we all may have to equip our little boats with running lights.