A weekly list of upcoming outdoors events in the Chattanooga area; to submit an event, write to sports@timesfreepress.com.
» Soddy-Daisy chapter of Tennessee Trails Association hikes: Saturday, Laurel-Snow State Natural Area, moderately strenuous 6.1 miles (meet at 8:30 a.m. by ballfields on Durham Street in Soddy-Daisy; call John Politte at 304-8327); Tuesday, Raccoon Mountain, 3-5 miles (meet at 8:30 a.m. at Food City in Red Bank; call Earl Helmer at 770-877-0600); July 13, Board Camp Trail to Soddy Gulf trailhead, where vehicles will be staged, moderately strenuous 7 miles (meet at 8:30 a.m. at Durham Street lot; call Politte); July 16, Chickamauga Battlefield east loop, easy 3-4 miles (meet at 8:30 a.m. at lower parking lot near the park visitors center; call Gloria Nelson at 645-9008); July 20, Rainbow Falls in Ocoee area, 3.3 miles (meet at 8:30 a.m. at Food City in Ooltewah; call Tom McElhone at 805-208-4654).
» Lula Lake open gate days: Saturday, Sunday & July 27-28; Saturdays, admittance 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sundays, admittance noon-3:30 p.m; $15, reservations required. See www.LulaLake.org.
» Cloudland Canyon Star Party: Saturday & Aug. 3, 8-10 p.m., near the park’s disc golf course; conducted by Barnard Astronomical Society; chance to see the night sky through telescopes & binoculars available free, with experts to identify constellations, etc.; parking fee $5; if there’s a possibility of rain, call 941-544-3420 after 6 the night of the scheduledevent.
» Adult Archery & Aces: Tuesday & July 23, noon-1:30 p.m., indoors at Outdoor Chattanooga center, Coolidge Park; ages 30-older, free, no reservations or experience necessary, sessions include games & socializing; equipment & instruction provided.
» Paddle Smart Chattanooga class: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Chester Frost Park; led by Outdoor Chattanooga for people with their own boats & equipment but wanting instruction in flatwater paddling; $10; youth 10-up OK with adult; pre-registration required at 643-6888.
» Rapid Learning intro to kayak & skills practice: Wednesdays, 6-7 & 7-8 p.m., Chester Frost Park, end of swimming beach by first boat ramp; family-friendly for ages 8-up; $75 for individual year’s membership, $125 for family; first-timers free; equipment provided, reservations not required. See www.outdoorchattanooga.com.
» Local Tennessee Ornithological Society meeting: July 11, 7 p.m., Ascension Lutheran Church, 720 S. Germantown Road. Contact David Stone at rockyturf@epbfi.com or 413-7033.
» Spirit of America youth boating camp: July 15-19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; orientation July 12, 4:30, at Harrison Bay State Park recreation hall; ages 12-15, maximum participants 18; instruction in operating small boats, canoes, kayaks & sailboats; $40 plus $10 for TWRA exam permit; applications at Harrison Bay park office.
» Chattanooga Bicycle Club meeting: July 15, 6-7 p.m., Outdoor Chattanooga, Coolidge Park; for recreational cyclists.
» NPS Lookout Creek guided canoe tour: July 20, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; learn about the area’s American Indian & Civil War history; must use Outdoor Chattanooga equipment & be able to swim; pre-registration required, opens July 6. Call 643-6888.
» Family Funday at Greenway Farm: July 21, 4-7 p.m., canoeing ($25), hiking (free) & archery (free) at the Hixson park; ages 5-up. Email info@outdoorchattanooga.com or call 643-6888.
» Tennessee River Gorge sunset kayak tour: July 25, 6:30-9:30 p.m., from TVA boat ramp off Raccoon Mountain Road; guided & beginner-friendly; equipment & shuttle provided; $50, required in advance at tnrivergorgetrust.ticketspice.com