Scott's Gulf near Sparta, TN - Moderate to Strenuous Hike

HIKE STATS:
Meeting Time: 8:00 AM
Meeting Place: Kroger Hermitage near Summit Medical
Estimated Drive Time One Way: 1.5 hours
Hike Distance: about 10 miles
Estimated Hike Time: 5 hours plus break time
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Event Organizers: Kelly Stewart and Dave Daniels

Join the Nashville Hiking Meetup and Team Green as we explore Scott's Gulf, a 10,000-acre gift to the citizens of Tennessee from Bridgestone/Firestone. Called "The Grand Canyon of the Cumberland's" by an early 19th Century traveler, the area is entrusted to the Tennessee Wildlife Management Agency (TWRA) as a Wildlife Management Area and is recognized as a natural treasure for its uniqueness and diversity. The 26 miles of moderate to difficult trails feature rolling hills, waterfalls, deep gorges, rocky hillsides, wildflowers, oak, hickory and pine forest, creeks, and river pools.

UPDATE: If you want to be wait listed after this event fills up, RSVP "No" and comment that you'd like to be added if slots open.

Meet at the Kroger in Hermitage (across from Summit Medical) and carpool with your hiking buddies the 95 miles to the Polly Branch Falls Trailhead. Bring gas money for your driver, lunch, water, layered clothing matched for the weather, and your camera! Your dog on a leash is welcomed.

Click here for a trail map since there's so little on the Web about Scott's. You'll see the meeting place at the parking lot at Polly Branch Falls Trailhead, and then we'll basically do a counterclockwise loop as I've indicated; total of about 10 miles.

Plan on crossing several creeks during the hike so be sure to wear water resistant hiking boots/shoes. Warning: you may get wet! It's important that you have good balance as we will hike across slick rocks in these creeks. If you own hiking poles, bring them.

The trails are well-marked but still a little rough around the edges leading to a rare experience for such a beautiful area so close to Nashville! FYI, Scott's Gulf is also known as the Bridgestone/Firestone Centennial Wilderness; the Virgin Falls trail is also part of this larger system.

Late lunch afterward (optional) in Sparta.

Team Green folks: sign up for the Hiking Meetup Group (free!) in order to RSVP for this trip. If you have any questions, please contact hike leader Kelly Stewart at [masked].

"No guests allowed" is kind of misleading. I just want as many real members to be able to sign up as possible without flooding the numbers with add on guests. If you want to bring a guest, please have them sign up as a member; if that doesn't work then let me know by email if you'll bring a guest.

If you attend this event, you *must* sign a release form meaning you won't sue anyone if you get hurt. If you have a problem with signing this form, then please don't attend. Click here to download and print the form and bring it with you to the event. Hike leader will bring extra forms in case you forget. Let [masked] know if you plan on bringing guests under 18.

If you plan on meeting us at the trailhead, travel I-40 east from Nashville toward Knoxville, take the Sparta-Cookeville Exit (Exit #287/Hwy. 136) and go south approximately 2 miles and connect with Hwy. 111S. Stay south on Hwy. 111 to the Sparta-Smithville Exit (Hwy. 70) which is just past McDonalds and Wal-Mart. Turn left (east) onto Hwy. 70, go through Sparta, past the Courthouse and up the plateau past the Rock House Historic Site and Scenic Overlook. About one mile past the Bondecroft School turn right onto Eastland Road at Bondecroft Headstart Village and travel approximately 5.7 miles to the junction with Scott's Gulf Road (GPS: N35 52.657 W85 17.206). Turn right at the sign for Scott's Gulf and travel about two miles to the Polly Branch Falls Trailhead parking area on your left.

Info on Scott's Gulf:
http://www.knoxnews.c...
http://www.state.tn.u... (note this PDF is under construction)
http://www.uppercumbe...