About us
"I chose the road less travelled… Now I don’t know where I am."
"Never follow someone else's path unless you're in the woods and you're lost, and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that." - Ellen Degeneres
"Bring a compass. It's awkward when you have to eat your friends." - Unknown
So maybe we caught your interest?
Quick note then I’ll tell you what we’re about. We’ve never gotten lost or had to look at members as a food source. This is Chattanooga Outdoor Adventures not the Donner Party (some of you will get that).
We enjoys the outdoors in all forms. Events like Hiking, Rafting, Kayaking, and everything else.
But wait there’s more! I sound like a Ginsu knife commercial. Let’s not let any of the Donners have one of those.
We also plan other great activities in and around Chattanooga. Not just hiking. Musical events, food and wine festivals. A concert in a cave, you get the idea
It’s an open group and would love to get everyone involved and plan a lot of different things. Inclusion and fun are key.
Not just hiking, Adventures of all kinds
Upcoming events
21
Raccoon Creek Kayaking in Caves and Tacos (No Rental must supply own SUP/Kayak)
Raccon Creek Boat Ramp, 6152 County Road 491, Gorham's Bluff, AL, USA Quick change. There was some scheduling conflicts with someone I wanted to have there and we had to do a quick reschedule to May 9th. Please update RSVP if you can't make that date.
A too Hot to Hike Summer Series Event!
THIS IS A LIMITED ATTENDANCE EVENT! It is expected that if you sign up you will show up. Cancel less than 72 hours before the event and cost someone on the waitlist the ability to go because of a last minute cancellation means we will review and you could be removed and you will have to reapply to the group. Please be aware of that. Probably going to have to have a REALLY good explanation like you brought peace to the entire world. My cat coughed up a huge hairball is not an excuse.
I have an approximate idea where the caves are. I have not done this in a few years. If anyone can find the GPS coordinates that would be awesome.
Kayak in a cave? Why not? Whats the worst thing that could happen? I have got to learn to quit asking that question. Seems some of you have imaginations. Was rappelling over a cliff one time and asked that to the person I was with. They had an active imagination. A friend refused to go whitewater rafting with us once. Asked it again. Seems there were things I hadn't quite thought through.
It has been interesting and I am still here, but if it's my time I want it to be a good story. If you saw Second Hand Lions I want to be like those dudes.
Life is about Family, experiences, love, friendships, and moments. This is in the experience realm and it is a good one. I am about those five things in my life.
I did this event in another place and time in my life. It was spectacular.
Have to be strict about attendance because some people don't get it.
We should be there AROUND 9:00 am Central Time
There is a carpool meeting point from Walmart Super Center 3550 Cummings Hwy, Chattanooga, TN 37419 at 9:00 am EASTERN TIME. Where we will divide up and ride together to the Boat Ramp. It is an hour drive complete with a time change.
It is a Kayak into three caves. I have pictures from when I originally did it and it is cool. I mean I could show them to you, but you'd have to ask nicely.
Bring a Life jacket, a watercraft of some type. Sunscreen, fluids for Hydration, a snack and headlamp or illumination device. It is after all a cave.
By illumination device I don't mean a book on life or dating advice, General philosophy, or Zen Bhuddisim's Eternal Enlightenment. No culmination of a spiritual journey, or a profound understanding of the self and the universe. This is an illumination device that provides actual light. We are going to stop for a snack on a pull off place and there might be some mushrooms there. Eat those and you could have the spiritual journey or die. It's a coin toss.
So when I say illumination I am talking about a flashlight.
We will stop at a little area for snacks and visiting along the route. Look for the Mario Brothers style mushrooms.
This is a flat Water paddle so you need to be able to paddle at least 5 miles under your own power. You are responsible to know your abilities and assume all liability. Didn't read this? Doesn't matter. You are still responsible.
Here is a written description of the trip
Here is a link to get to the Boat Ramp
Google Maps Directions to Boat Launch AreaHere is a video of the route
Youtube Video of the entire trip RouteHere is a Video of the trip with pictures inside the caves.
Kayaking in a cave Coon Creek WMAWe will drive back to the Carpool place and eat at the Mexican Restaurant in the parking lot.
Los 3 Amigos Mexican Restaurant (Carpool Parking lot)Tsunami, Volcanic Eruption, Zombie Apocalypse, Noah's ark type floods, Thunder and lightning, Nuclear war, Post nuclear Holocaust Mad Max like Conditions, freight train diarrhea or just really Bad weather cancels event. No one reads tis far anyways.
19 attendees
Beech Gap to Bob Bald and Stratton Bald
Beech Gap Parking area, Cherohala Skyway, Tellico Plains, TN, USBeech Gap to Bob Bald and Stratton Bald
7.8 miles out-and-back (3.9 miles each way)
1364 ft ascent - moderate
Cherohala Skyway at the TN/NC border
Trailhead Coordinates: 35.3483, -84.0382
Map/Profile/GPS tracks - https://komoot.com/tour/2766810766
AllTrails (not exact, ends at Bob Bald)Possible carpool from Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center
Bob Stratton Bald is named for Robert "Bob" Stratton (1825-1864), whose family lived on the bald. The bald is subdivided into two smaller balds: Bob Bald (elevation 5,280 feet) and Stratton Bald (elevation 5,360 feet). Together, they make up Bob Stratton Bald. It is a typical Appalachian bald, with thick grass and few trees.
What to bring:
- Hiking shoes
- Layered clothing (mile-high location, cooler temps)
- Poles (optional)
- Plenty of water
- Lunch
- Snacks
- A sense of adventure
To those who I previously mentioned my reservation for Swan Cabin, that reservation is cancelled. "Due to health and safety concerns, occupancy within Swan Cabin will no longer be permitted." Since there's no overnight stay, I'm making Falls Branch Falls the official second hike and leaving Joyce Kilmer as an UN-HOSTED option.
Standard Notice, Disclaimer:
Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions as you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possible death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant -including you- at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of a claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.10 attendees
Past events
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