Nashville Hiking Meetup

Meeting Time: 6:00 PM Meeting Place: Edwin Warner Park Nature Center Hike Distance: 4-5 miles Estimated Hike Time: ~2 hours Difficulty: Moderate, (http://www.nashvillehiking.com/pages/Hike_Rating_System) Hike Leader: Michael Hicks Notes: Dogs on a leash okay (Park regs require no more than 6-ft leash - you may be ticketed if you fail to use a leash!) This hike will be a combination of the Edwin Warner Woods (Blue) trail and park roads. This is a moderately strenuous hike of 4 - 5 miles with more than 900' of elevation change (details on trail map). Headlamps/Flashlights may be necessary by the end of the hike. Trail Map (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikerhicks/9800982115/)

HIKE STATS: Meeting Time: 7:00 AM Meeting Place: near Steak n Shake Hickory Hollow Estimated Drive Time One Way: 2 hours Hike Distance: 13.1 miles Estimated Hike Time: 7 hours plus break time Difficulty: Strenuous Hike Leader: Sabine Well behaved, leashed dogs welcomed No kids under 13 The 9.9 mile Collins Gulf Trail and the 1.6 mile Stagecoach Road Historic Trail combine with short connector trails to make one of the most fascinating loop hikes in the South Cumberland, with numerous overlooks and waterfalls, including Suter Falls. This spreading waterfall, the cascading creek and the massive rock walls of the gorge around Suter Falls make this setting one of the true spectacles of the Southeast. The Stagecoach Road Historic Trail follows the old route of the Stagecoach Road that ran from McMinnville to Chattanooga. The old roadbed, with its rock walls and stone cribbing, is on the National Register of Historic Places. We will be accessing the trail from the Gruetli-Laager Trailhead and hike the 0.6 miles to the Collins Gulf Trail. The total length of the hike will be 13.1 miles and it is rated strenuous, so don't forget to bring plenty of water, snacks and lunch, rain gear (depending on weather forecast) and sturdy hiking shoes. The waterfalls will be concentrated either at the beginning or end of the loop depending which way we go. Be prepared for wet crossings on this hike. Wear your waterproof boots or bring sandals/water shoes to change into. Meet behind the Steak n Shake and IHOP at 7:00 AM and carpool from there. Be sure to offer your driver gas money. Plan on being back in Nashville around 7 PM depending on whether we do a group dinner. To access Collins Gulf, take I-24 to Monteagle exit 134, TN Highway 56 through Tracy City to TN 108. At 108 turn right (south) on 108 to Gruetli Laager. Turn left on 55th Ave. Collins Gulf parking area is about 4 miles on left. Click here for a Google map from Hickory Hollow to Gruetli-Laager trailhead. (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Target+Dr,+Antioch,+TN+37013&daddr=35.406742,+-85.593367&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=35.406786,-85.593324&sspn=0.003835,0.008261&ie=UTF8&ll=35.640557,-86.127319&spn=0.97877,2.114868&z=10) Horsepound Falls photo courtesy Michael R. Hicks

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM Meeting Place: Jones Mill Trail parking lot on Barnett Rd. (see below for directions) Hike Distance: Approximately 2-4 miles Estimated Time: 3-4 hours Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Hike Leaders: Mountain Biker Colin Davidson & Friends of Long Hunter member Anita Fischer Wanna get the new year off to a memorable start? Then we have an excellent opportunity for you to go outside, get some exercise, meet like-minded individuals, improve Long Hunter State Park, and leave a lasting legacy. On this day we will continue our expansion of the wild and scenic Jones Mill Trail, but we can't do it without our wonderful volunteers! This event is organized by the Friends of Long Hunter State Park. If you wish to join us for this trail work day, meet at the Jones Mill parking lot (9933 Barnett Rd., Mt Juliet, TN 37122) at 8 a.m. We will work until approximately 12 noon. Please wear appropriate work clothes and sturdy shoes, and don't forget water and snacks. Tools and gloves will be provided. When completed, the Jones Mill Trail is sure to be one of the best biking (and hiking!) trails in Middle Tennessee. We hope to see you there, and thanks for your support! Directions To Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail parking lot: The Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail parking lot is located at 9933 Barnett Rd., Mt Juliet, TN 37122 in the Bryant Grove Recreation Area of Long Hunter State Park. If you're coming from I-24, take Old Hickory Blvd. exit 62 and head north on SR171 (which becomes Hobson Pike). At 6.4 miles, you'll pass the main park entrance on the right; continue on Hobson Pike for another two miles and turn right on South Mt. Juliet Road (follow the brown state park sign pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area & the Jones Mill Mountain Bike trail). Go one mile and turn left onto Couchville Pike at the three-way intersection (again, follow the brown state park sign pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area & the Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail). Go about 3 miles and turn right onto Barnett Rd. (look for the brown state park sign pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area). Go about a half-mile and turn left into the Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail parking lot. If you're coming from I-40, take Mt. Juliet exit 226-A and head south on SR171. Go 4.2 miles and veer left onto South Mt. Juliet Road (follow the brown state park sign pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area & the Jones Mill Mountain Bike trail). Go one mile and turn left onto Couchville Pike at the three-way intersection (again, follow the brown state park sign pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area & the Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail). Go about 3 miles and turn right onto Barnett Rd. (look for the brown state park sign pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area). Go about a half-mile and turn left into the Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail parking lot. For further directions, contact the park office at[masked]

Join your hiking pals at the indoor/outdoor rooftop of Bailey's on Broadway! Our first Pint Night at this downtown hotspot. We'll have exclusive access to the Champion's Room upstairs with our own bar and full menu service! Our nearly monthly Pint Nights are a great way to meet new and old members alike. Bring a friend! Suggested parking at the Downtown Library garage at 151 6th Ave N. Or, park at Nissan Stadium and head across the pedestrian bridge, take photos, and on to Broadway! I mean, we're a hiking club, right?