Curt Cealey, a master falconer from the RISE Raptor Project, will showcase various birds of prey in a program at 10:30 a.m. CDT Saturday, June 4, for a celebration of Great Outdoors Day at DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne, Ala.To bike, not hike
Adventure Cycling Association has scheduled its inaugural Bike Travel Weekend for Friday through Sunday, June 3-5. This do-it-yourself weekend of bicycle travel has so far registered more than 10,000 participants for 800 trips in more than a dozen countries and all 50 states.“Our goal is to inspire new and experienced bike travelers alike to enjoy a one- or two-night bicycle trip with thousands of other riders throughout North America on the same weekend,” says Jim Sayer, executive director of Adventure Cycling Association. “National Bike Travel Weekend is for big groups, small groups and solo bike travelers. It can be one night or two nights, travelers can sleep outside or indoors, and the distance covered can be five to 100 miles — whatever works for you.”Tennessee outings include a “Chatt Town or Bust” 114-mile solo ride that starts in Maryville, overnights in Dayton on Friday then continues to Chattanooga on Saturday.Learn more at BikeTravelWeekend.org.
Photo contest
Tennessee State Parks will host a photo contest on National Trails Day. Hikers can submit their photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #findyourtrailTN. Submissions are required to incorporate the National Trails Day sticker, which will be available to hikers at all Tennessee state parks for no charge, while supplies, last, on Saturday, June 4.
Participants in the North Chickamauga Creek Cruise, a National Trails Day hike, will follow a portion of the Cumberland Trail that gives a scenic perspective of the North Chickamauga Creek gorge. The hike will require a creek crossing, rock hopping and short wade through the stream bed.Area residents have an abundance of ways to enjoy the great outdoors on National Trails Day, Saturday, June 4. All 56 of Tennessee’s state parks will offer free guided hikes on Saturday, June 4, and select parks in Georgia and Alabama have events planned as well.
Still need ideas? The Sequatchie Valley Institute will introduce its new self-guided GIS-mapped nature trails, and the Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association has two walkabouts scheduled.
And, of course, you can head out on your own.
Rangers at the state parks advise participants to bring water for any hike and perhaps a snack for longer outings. Also recommended are long pants and sturdy footwear – no flip-flips.
Hikes are suitable for children and adults, unless otherwise specified or you know your own limits.
TENNESSEE STATE PARKS
* Chattanooga: A guided hike starts at 9 a.m. from the swimming pool parking lot at Booker T. Washington State Park, 5801 Champion Road. The moderate, 3-mile round trip will follow the shore of Chickamauga Lake to “the point,” overlooking the water. Contact: Ranger Robert Thomas, 423-322-2712, Robert.Thomas@tn.gov.
* Crossville: The Byrd Creek Crawl, starting at 10 a.m. CDT at the Cumberland Mountain State Park office, 24 Office Drive, is a moderate, 2.1-mile hike along the picturesque creekbank.
* Crossville: The Byrd Creek Crawl, starting at 10 a.m. CDT at the Cumberland Mountain State Park office, 24 Office Drive, is a moderate, 2.1-mile hike along the picturesque creekbank. Contact: Ranger Monica Johnson, 931-484-6138, Monica.Johnson@tn.gov
* Chattanooga: Join Harrison Bay State Park rangers at 3 p.m. for a moderate, half-mile hike along the shore of Chickamauga Lake. The park is at 8411 Harrison Bay Road. Meet at the Nature Trail on the main park road before the Recreation Hall. Contact: 423-208-4993, hbspprograms@gmail.com.
* Cleveland: An easy, 1-mile hike down the Blue Springs Trail follows the small, clear creek fed by a spring that is sacred to the Cherokee. Hikers will learn the various aquatic and plant life found by the spring, as well as the geology and history of Red Clay State Park, 1140 Red Clay Park Road. The hike starts at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center. Afterward, hikers are welcome to take part in a service project to widen the Council of Trees Trail for easier access. Contact: 423-478-0339, Logan.Cammarata@tn.gov.
* Delano: The Goforth Creek Rock Hop, starting at 11 a.m. at Hiwassee/Ocoee State Park, 404 Spring Creek Road, is an active hike of 2 to 3 miles that will require walking on logs, climbing over rocks and more than likely getting wet. The scenery includes waterfalls and wildflowers. Suitable for ages 5 and older. Meet at the Big Creek parking area. Contact: 615-631-2916, bg12245@gmail.com.
* Manchester: A 1.25-mile hike to discover the history of Old Stone Fort State Archaeological Park starts at 10 a.m. CDT. The guided hike to the fork of the Duck River will detail the area’s role in the Industrial Revolution and Civil War. The moderate hike will last no more than two hours. Meet at the Old Stone Fort Museum, 732 Stone Fort Drive. Contact: 931-723-5073, Joshua.Waggener@tn.gov.
* Pikeville: Meet at 9 a.m. CDT at the Betty Dunn Nature Center, 10821 Park Road, for a National Trails Day Rock Hop, a strenuous, 2.8-mile expedition through Cane Creek Gorge. Rangers say this is a difficult hike with steep slopes, large boulders and slippery surfaces. Limited to 10 adults; email to reserve a spot. Contact: 423-881-3297, Matthew.Brown@tn.gov.
* Soddy-Daisy: The North Chickamauga Creek Cruise follows a section of the Cumberland Trail at the North Chickamauga Creek State Natural Area off Montlake Road. The hike is recommended for adults only, as it requires a creek crossing, rock hopping and short wade in the creekbed. Hikers should bring hiking shoes, water shoes and a change of socks. Meet at 9 a.m. at the trail kiosk just beyond the parking area. Contact: 423-326-5605, Jordan.Sikkema@tn.gov.
* Tracy City: Two groups – one for work, one for play – will meet at South Cumberland State Park’s Grundy Forest Trailhead parking lot, 131 Fiery Gizzards Road.
At 9 a.m. CDT, volunteers are needed for a major trail reroute along the Fiery Gizzard Trail. This is a strenuous undertaking and recommended only for adults. Workers are welcome to bring a favorite tool or pair of gloves. Contact: 931-924-2980, Jason.Reynolds@tn.gov.
At 10 a.m. CDT, hikers can take part in the Grundy Forest Waterfall Hike, a moderate, 3.1-mile adventure through the Grundy Forest and Fiery Gizzard trails to see Blue Hole, Sycamore and Hanes Hole falls. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash at all times. Contact: 931-924-2980, Jessie.McNeal@tn.gov.
* Vonore: A costumed ranger will lead the John Bartram Nature Hike at Fort Loudoun State Park to discuss how nature was explored in the 18th century by the famed naturalist. The moderate, 3-mile outing starts at 10 a.m. at the Visitor Center, 338 Fort Loudoun Road. Contact: 423-884-6217, fortloudoun@tds.net.
* Winchester: Visitors to Tims Ford State Park, 570 Tims Ford Drive, may choose between a Blueway Paddle, using the park’s first aquatic trail, and the Lost Creek/Marble Plains Loop Hike, this one on land. Both start at 10 a.m. CDT.
The Blueway Paddle will include stories of Tims Ford Lake and its history. Participants will paddle in a park canoe or kayak to Tims Ford Dam. Put-in is Lakeview Marina, 175 Marina Lane. Limited to 20; register by phone. Contact: 931-962-1183, Philip.Hylen@tn.gov.
The Lost Creek/Marble Plains Loop is a moderate, 5.5-mile hike along the Lost Creek Overlook Trail, which features two swinging bridges and views of the lake. From the overlook, hikers will proceed to the Marble Plains loop, which offers a history lesson as it passes the century-old Marble Plains Church. Meet at the main office. Contact: 931-962-1183, Craig.Underwood@tn.gov.
GEORGIA STATE PARKS
* Chatsworth: The guided hike at New Echota Historic Site, 1211 Chatsworth Highway NE, will focus on New Town Creek, Tarvin’s Pond and historic New Echota, the Cherokee capital when the Trail of Tears began. The $5.50-$7 fee includes a tour of the grounds and museum. 706-624-1321.
* Chatsworth: Fort Mountain State Park, 181 Fort Mountain State Park Road, plans a trail sampler from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The guided hike on a 5.5-mile loop is rated moderate to strenuous. Meet at the outside naturalist area by the lake. $5 plus $5 parking. 706-422-1932.
* Rising Fawn: Take a short walk to Sunset Point, a hidden gem at Cloudland Canyon State Park, to see expansive views of Trenton, Lookout Valley, Sand Mountain and other sights while the sun sets. Starts at 8:15 p.m. at the West Rim Access parking lot. (Repeats at the same time June 11, June 25 and July 2). The park address is 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road. $5 parking fee. 706-657-4050.
Also available Saturday are a Wild Cave Tour (fee charged; reservations required through GeorgiaGirlGuides.com or 1-800-979-3370) and an after-dark Star Party at 9 p.m. led by Barnard Astronomical Society to discover the brightest planets, stars and constellations in the sky this month (repeats Sunday, June 5, and the weekends of Aug. 27-28 and Oct. 22-23).
* Summerville: Hidden Gem: A Walk Through the Mining Industry, from 1 to 3 p.m., will detail the history of mining operations in the hills of Northwest Georgia in the 1960s and ’70s. The ranger-led hike goes to the old Marble Mine. $5 parking. 706-857-0826. (Repeats 10 a.m.-noon July 16 and Oct. 15; 1-3 p.m. Oct. 22 and Nov. 5.)
ALABAMA STATE PARKS
* Fort Payne: Guided fitness and nature hikes are just part of the offerings for Great Outdoors Day, scheduled 10 a.m.-3 p.m CDT at DeSoto State Park, 7104 DeSoto Parkway NE. Also on the agenda are Leave No Trace camping principles, blacksmith forging, native reptiles of Alabama, archery demonstrations (11 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and birds of prey programs (10:30 and 2 p.m.) Free admission, $2 parking at the picnic area. Contact: Brittney.Hughes@dcnr.alabama.gov, 256-997-5025.
SODDY-DAISY CHAPTER, TTA
* Flipper Bend: Meet at the Soddy-Daisy Walmart, 9334 Dayton Pike, at 8 a.m. for this strenuous hike of about 8 miles through an upland forest at the top of Signal Mountain. Leader is John Polite, 423-304-8327.
* Stringers Ridge Park: Meet at 9 a.m. at the trailhead on Spears Avenue for this easy to moderate hike on a North Chattanooga ridge overlooking the Tennessee River. Leader is Donna Pyers, 423-344-9271.
SEQUATCHIE VALLEY INSTITUTE
SVI will be open Saturday and Sunday, June 4-5, for exploration of its 350 acres of protected forest. Children should have no trouble managing the trails. No pets. Donations are accepted. http:svionline.org.
* Self-guided hikes: Kodai Trail and Hemlock Grove Trails are easy-to-moderate nature trails that start at the valley bottom and gradually climb to the SVI Center. Pipsissewa Arboretum Trail is an easy circular path that begins at the center.
* Guided hikes: A two-hour tour starts at 11 a.m. CDT each day. It includes the Pipsissewa Arboretum Trail and Moonshadow, a sustainably built home, as well as a greenhouse and vineyard integrated into the forest ecosystem.