New Year's Day Hike - Long Hunter SP - Sara

Mark Hubbard (Nashville) and Sara Pollard led 23 hikers from four different chapters to hike our annual New Year's Day hike at Long Hunter State Park. Three of the hikers didn't make it in time for the group photo but were still able to join the hike. We hiked the Bryant Grove Trail and enjoyed lunch under the pavillion. It was a beautiful and sunny day. The lake water level was low, but we still had great views of Percy Priest Lake. 

Hikers from the Columbia/Franklin, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Sumner Trails chapters were: Lisa Blamer, Zayra Bowman, Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Debra Dodd, Wayne Drown, Karen Hernan, Mark Hubbard, Pete Jacobs, Rene Jacobs, Karen Jones, Arlo Owens, Debbie Owens, Sara Pollard, Kim Roberts, Jennifer Rodgers, Lynn Rosser, John Ruth, Jan Safavi, Jane Tarver, Belinda Vanatta, and Raisa Zavelin.  

Pictures:

Cumberland Mountain SP - Cheryl

On December 27, the chapter hiked at Cumberland Mountain SP.  We hiked Pioneer Short Trail, Pioneer Trail and the Byrd Lake Trail for a total of 5.25 miles. We did a figure 8 loop so that we could cross the swinging bridge. On the Pioneer Trail, the highlight was what park rangers call fat man squeeze. We saw lots of rock formations, a small waterfall, and crossed a few small streams. At the end of the hike, we went down beside the famous bridge there that the CCC men built and captured photos of the dam side. We then went to the pier for group photo with the bridge behind us. 

Those in attendance with hike leader, Cheryl Smith, were Lora McBride and other TTA members John Gizelar, Sumner chapter, Frances & Greg Scott from Columbia-Franklin chapter.  We had Misty Fell & Sheila Miller from the Plateau chapter. Sheila brought her daughter Rachel Choi and her friend Mihwa Kim from Korea. Sarah Snell joined us as well.

 Pictures:

Head of the Crow SP - Cheryl

On December 25, the chapter traveled to Sewanee, TN to hike at the new Head of the Crow State Park. We hiked the new Pack Hollow Trail and the Sherwood Day Loop for a total of 6 miles. Each trail had several rock formations that were interesting.  Pack Hollow Trail has a small stream crossing. The trail ends abruptly at 1.6 miles and you return back to the junction that begins Sherwood Day Loop. The Sherwood Day Loop trail has a fascinating natural bridge and a beautiful overlook. It also has a rock formation with a small crevice you can go through if you wish. 

Those in attendance with hike leader, Cheryl Smith, was her grandson Shy Murphy. Also in attendance was Frances & Greg Scott, and Ginger Bohm all from the Columbia-Franklin chapter.

Pictures: 

Murfreesboro Chapter Christmas Party

Tony Jones hosted the annual Murfreesboro chapter Christmas party at his beautifully decorated home. The chapter furnished the ham and turkey and everyone brought a side dish to share. Tony also provided his famous and delicious banana pudding. Some folks enjoyed their meal around the fire pit outside. Everyone got to meet our new chapter chair Cheryl Smith for 2026. 

Those attending were Jay Brain, Anna Lina Buckley, Joe Campbell, Johnny Eatherly, Katy Ginanni, Lynda Haynie, Sue Hulit, Tony Jones, Chris Manzione, Connie Matthies,  Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Georganne Ross, Lynn Rosser, Tim Rosser, John Ruth, Terri Ruth, Jan Safavi, Cheryl Smith, Martina Terrazas and her son Eduardo. 

Pictures:

After Thanksgiving Day Hike

 

Old Stone Fort State Park

November 28, 2025

It was a chilly start with temperatures below 30 degrees, but we had 17 hikers from different chapters to hike the annual After Thanksgiving Day hike at Old Stone Fort State Park. We met at the park museum and started the hike along the Duck River. We hiked the Forks of the River Trail, the Moat Trail, and the Nature Trail. We passed the Blue Hole Falls, Big Falls and Step Falls. We enjoyed lunch after the hike in the picnic area. Hikers were Jim Barritt, Jay Brain, Joe Campbell, Betsy Dozier, Debra Dunson, John Gizelar, Michael Glennon, Tammy Gross, Peggy Harris, Joan Hartvigsen, Pete Jacobs, Rene Jacobs, Sara Pollard, Lynn Rosser, Cindy Watson, Raisa Zavelion and Renata Zavelion. 

Pictures:

Chattahoochee National Forest - Sara

Blairsville, Georgia

November 17-21, 2025

We had 11 participants on our trip to Blairsville, Georgia for camping and hiking. We had people staying in cabins at Vogel State Park and in a house outside the park. The first day we started with a hike in the park around Lake Trahlyta and a side trip to Trahlyta Falls. After that some of us hiked the Bear Hair Gap Trail inside the park.

On the second day we all met up at the Byron Reece Trailhead. They were searching for a missing hiker so there were a lot of people at the trail. We hiked up to the AT and took that up to the top of Blood Mountain to the shelter. We returned the same way. Jay brought his support chicken. That night we all joined up at the rental house for a wonderful meal prepared by Lynn and Tim Rosser. Then we had a campfire where Lynn and Tim made smores for everyone.

Day Three: A couple of options today. We all met up at Desoto Falls to hike the upper and lower falls. After that some went to Brasstown Bald and some of us hiked Raven Cliffs Falls. Sue made a wonderful dinner that night.

Day Four: Some of us met and hiked Duke Creek Falls and Helton Creek Falls; some went to the Gold Mining Museum, and that afternoon some went to Brasstown Bald, and others hiked the Coosa Trail in Vogel SP. Jay made a wonderful dinner that night. 

Participants were Jay Brain, Geoff Hull, Patty Hull, Sue Hulit, Craig McBride, Lora McBride, Sara Pollard, Lynn Rosser, Tim Rosser; and Misty Fell and Sheila Miller from the Plateau chapter. 

Pictures:

Twin Arches Day Loop

We had 13 hikers from various chapters hike the 5.5 miles Twin Arches day loop in the Big South Fork. It was a clear and beautiful day for a hike. We explored the campus at Charit Creek Lodge and then enjoyed lunch at Jakes Place before the climb out. We spent some time at the arches and climbed many steps to get to the top of one of the arches. 

Hikers were Jim Barritt, Debra Dodd, Wendy Fish, Judy Fries, Joan Hartvigsen, Mark Hubbard, Karen Jones, Mandy Mew, Debbie Owens, Sara Pollard, Marietta Poteet, Amy Sutton and Gloria Dale Williams. 

Pictures: