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Not a member yet? Click here today!
Chattanooga Hiking Club Outings
The Chattanooga Hiking Club, in keeping with its stated purpose, tries to provide outings every weekend for persons of different skill levels. Hikes scheduled in the current month and the upcoming month are described in detail. Tentative hikes are simply listed in the Outings Schedule and are still in the planning stages. All of our hikes are led by club members volunteering their time to the cause.
In addition to the weekend formal schedule, there are regular day hikes most every Wednesday closer to Chattanooga so that less driving is involved; and there are sometimes more spontaneous hiking road trips, usually on Thursdays and/or Fridays.
The information below is provided as a guide only. Each hiker assumes the risks associated with hiking in the great outdoors, including the responsibility for paying any bills associated with rescue efforts or medical care. The wise hiker always carries drinking water, food, and first aid items, and wears or carries clothing appropriate for the season. *Always check with the Hike Leader for special considerations like medical conditions and hiking with minors.
Hike Difficulty Rating
Easy(E): 6 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.
Moderate(M): Distance of 7 - 10 miles with an elevation gain that will generally not exceed 350 feet per mile, with a total elevation gain of no more than 1000 ft.
Moderately Strenuous(MS): This hike could be 7 - 10 miles in length, but include rocky trail conditions, tricky stream crossings or elevation gain of more than 1000 ft. but less than 2000 ft.
Strenuous(S): Any hike that is a distance of 10 to 14 miles or with more than 2000 ft. total elevation gain, but no more than 3000 ft.
Extremely Strenuous(S+): Usually involves distances of more than 14 miles or more than 3000 ft. in elevation gain. There might be very steep/rugged climbs, deep stream crossings, or unmaintained trails.
Pace: Standard pace (SP) is 2 miles per hour; less on steep or rugged terrain. Fast pace (FP) is 2.5 to 3 miles per hour or more and may not vary much regardless of terrain.
For more information and to view the Chattanooga Club Policies and Constitution please click here.
The Chattanooga Hiking Club, in keeping with its stated purpose, tries to provide outings every weekend for persons of different skill levels. Hikes scheduled in the current month and the upcoming month are described in detail. Tentative hikes are simply listed in the Outings Schedule and are still in the planning stages. All of our hikes are led by club members volunteering their time to the cause.
In addition to the weekend formal schedule, there are regular day hikes most every Wednesday closer to Chattanooga so that less driving is involved; and there are sometimes more spontaneous hiking road trips, usually on Thursdays and/or Fridays.
The information below is provided as a guide only. Each hiker assumes the risks associated with hiking in the great outdoors, including the responsibility for paying any bills associated with rescue efforts or medical care. The wise hiker always carries drinking water, food, and first aid items, and wears or carries clothing appropriate for the season. *Always check with the Hike Leader for special considerations like medical conditions and hiking with minors.
Hike Difficulty Rating
Easy(E): 6 miles or less; mostly level ground or only slight incline.
Moderate(M): Distance of 7 - 10 miles with an elevation gain that will generally not exceed 350 feet per mile, with a total elevation gain of no more than 1000 ft.
Moderately Strenuous(MS): This hike could be 7 - 10 miles in length, but include rocky trail conditions, tricky stream crossings or elevation gain of more than 1000 ft. but less than 2000 ft.
Strenuous(S): Any hike that is a distance of 10 to 14 miles or with more than 2000 ft. total elevation gain, but no more than 3000 ft.
Extremely Strenuous(S+): Usually involves distances of more than 14 miles or more than 3000 ft. in elevation gain. There might be very steep/rugged climbs, deep stream crossings, or unmaintained trails.
Pace: Standard pace (SP) is 2 miles per hour; less on steep or rugged terrain. Fast pace (FP) is 2.5 to 3 miles per hour or more and may not vary much regardless of terrain.
For more information and to view the Chattanooga Club Policies and Constitution please click here.
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🚶🏼➡️January 8th Hike Report
Little Cedar Mountain Trail On Wednesday, January 8, there were 10 members of the Chattanooga Hiking Club that hiked Little Cedar Mountain Trail. We opted to hike it clockwise and make it a figure 8 so that we could get extra miles - a total of 5 miles. This trail offers unusual weathered rock formations, picturesque views of Nickajack Lake, and relatively easy footing. With temps in the 20’s there were no spring wild flowers but there was an abundance of spectacular frost “flowers”, a unique winter phenomenon. It was a perfect day for a hike with others who enjoy being in the woods! And to help Betsy celebrate her birthday! |
Hikers included Betsy Parson, Bea Lurie, Betsy Parson, Joyce Campbell, Deb Young, Greg Clark, Sarah Schlegel, Tim Chomyn, Bill Ragsdale, Bill Laroque, and hike leader, Debbie Lambert.
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Upcoming Outings ~ Register w/ Hike Leaders today!
Interested in leading a hike? Want to know more?
Click here to connect with our Coordinator.
Saturday, January 11th
In and Out Hike
Location: CT Via Soddy Gulf Trailhead
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft
Rating: Moderate-Strenuous
Pace: Standard
Hike Leader: Rita Pendergast
We will begin hike @ 9:00 am. Hike in on road running along Soddy Creek on up to CT and head south on trail towards Mowbray Pike TH. We will cross a big swinging bridge and continue to another small bridge where we will break for lunch and then return.
Sign up with the hike leader at rita.pendergast11@gmail.com to register.
In and Out Hike
Location: CT Via Soddy Gulf Trailhead
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: 1200 ft
Rating: Moderate-Strenuous
Pace: Standard
Hike Leader: Rita Pendergast
We will begin hike @ 9:00 am. Hike in on road running along Soddy Creek on up to CT and head south on trail towards Mowbray Pike TH. We will cross a big swinging bridge and continue to another small bridge where we will break for lunch and then return.
Sign up with the hike leader at rita.pendergast11@gmail.com to register.
Saturday, January 25th
Rock Creek Loop
Sale Creek, TN
Distance: 5.25 miles
Ascent: 750 ft
Pace: Standard
Hike Leader: Kendrick Mills
Come hike this adjunct path near the Cumberland Trail, with easy access from U.S. 27. Meandering adjacent to Rock Creek we'll hear the gurgle of the flowing water and enjoy some easy bottomland walking before ascending the eastern side of the gorge for about 2 miles. There we'll reach a quiet plateau of pines with a carpet of needles underneath. An optional 1 mile round trip trail leads to Leggett Overlook where we can get a moderate view of the gorge looking north. We'll head back down the incline with some brief rock hops before returning to flatter land near the creek, then rejoin our original segment returning to our starting point. Surface can be mildly irregular but footing is usually good. Rocks can be slick if recent rains have occurred.
Pace will be standard and the hike should take about 2.5 hours.
Meet at 0830 for carpooling at the ball fields parking lot on Durham Street in Soddy-Daisy.
Sign up with the hike leader at 615-944-5320 or LKMills@gmail.com to register.
Rock Creek Loop
Sale Creek, TN
Distance: 5.25 miles
Ascent: 750 ft
Pace: Standard
Hike Leader: Kendrick Mills
Come hike this adjunct path near the Cumberland Trail, with easy access from U.S. 27. Meandering adjacent to Rock Creek we'll hear the gurgle of the flowing water and enjoy some easy bottomland walking before ascending the eastern side of the gorge for about 2 miles. There we'll reach a quiet plateau of pines with a carpet of needles underneath. An optional 1 mile round trip trail leads to Leggett Overlook where we can get a moderate view of the gorge looking north. We'll head back down the incline with some brief rock hops before returning to flatter land near the creek, then rejoin our original segment returning to our starting point. Surface can be mildly irregular but footing is usually good. Rocks can be slick if recent rains have occurred.
Pace will be standard and the hike should take about 2.5 hours.
Meet at 0830 for carpooling at the ball fields parking lot on Durham Street in Soddy-Daisy.
Sign up with the hike leader at 615-944-5320 or LKMills@gmail.com to register.
Sunday, February 9
River to Clouds Route
Location: Lookout Mountain
Mileage: 9.3 point-to-point (shuttle involved)
Elevation Gain: 725'
Rating: Moderate
We'll explore another section of the 34-mile River to Clouds Route. This involves a 6-mile shuttle. Registration is limited to 12 hikers. We will meet at Nickajack and take 3 vehicles to Ascalon to begin hiking. Every vehicle needs $5 exact for parking (or GA Parks annual pass).
To sign up, contact Jenny Hopkins at jenhop60@gmail.com no later than Friday, 2/7.
River to Clouds Route
Location: Lookout Mountain
Mileage: 9.3 point-to-point (shuttle involved)
Elevation Gain: 725'
Rating: Moderate
We'll explore another section of the 34-mile River to Clouds Route. This involves a 6-mile shuttle. Registration is limited to 12 hikers. We will meet at Nickajack and take 3 vehicles to Ascalon to begin hiking. Every vehicle needs $5 exact for parking (or GA Parks annual pass).
To sign up, contact Jenny Hopkins at jenhop60@gmail.com no later than Friday, 2/7.
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Keown Falls/John’s Mountain Loop/Pinhoti Trail
Location: near Villanow, GA in the John’s Mountain Recreation Area
Distance: 4.8 miles
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 987 ft.
Pace: 2 mph
Hike Leader: Barbara McCollum
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest southwest of Dalton, the John’s Mountain Recreation Area provides some great opportunity for recreation. This loop trail has some very nice views of the John’s Mountain Valley area. Keown Falls can be impressive with recent rainfall and hikers can walk behind the Falls. The terrain can be very rocky with a narrow path at times, but this short hike as a lot of bang for the buck.
To register, contact Barbara McCollum at bpmccollum@yahoo.com
Keown Falls/John’s Mountain Loop/Pinhoti Trail
Location: near Villanow, GA in the John’s Mountain Recreation Area
Distance: 4.8 miles
Rating: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 987 ft.
Pace: 2 mph
Hike Leader: Barbara McCollum
Located in the Chattahoochee National Forest southwest of Dalton, the John’s Mountain Recreation Area provides some great opportunity for recreation. This loop trail has some very nice views of the John’s Mountain Valley area. Keown Falls can be impressive with recent rainfall and hikers can walk behind the Falls. The terrain can be very rocky with a narrow path at times, but this short hike as a lot of bang for the buck.
To register, contact Barbara McCollum at bpmccollum@yahoo.com