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Johnson City Hiking Club

Johnson City Hiking Club Schedule for Jan-Mar 2012

 To download pdf  2012JanMarch.pdf

To Register for email updates to schedules send email to webmaster@jchikers.org

Also hike with  www.hiketennessee.net

 

     

 Johnson City Hikers Club Schedule –January to March 2012


Guests are welcome on all hikes. We request that newcomers select hikes within their capabilities; if in doubt, please contact hike leaders for more information about terrain. Participation in club activities carries with it the obligation to hold the club and its representatives free of liability for individual safety. We ask that no pets be brought on hikes. Please bring rain gear, food, plenty of water, gas money and appropriate clothing on all hikes.

 WE ASK THAT EACH PERSON WHO HIKES CARRY A FEW FIRST AID SUPPLIES-do you swell from bee stings? You should carry whatever you need for that, have you ever walked miles with a blister? You should carry some moleskin, and on and on.

The Johnson City Hikers Club members are asked to get their schedules from the website. If you wish to be added to our e-mail list, send your address to-wegonehiking@embarqmail.com. Before each hike you plan on doing check your e-mail and the website for hike changes: www.jchikers.org.

 

JAN-1

Strenuous 10 mile New Years day hike in the Mount Rogers area. Meet at Kroger at 8am or at Mountain Sports in Bristol, Va. on the east side of US11E at 8:45am. Leader Phyllis Cairns at 423-239-6058 or pcairnes@yahoo.com--she says it is best to contact her by e-mail

JAN-7

Moderate 5 mile hike on the ridge above Wilbur & Watauga Lakes. We’ll hike an abandoned trail from Wilbur Lake to a high point above Watauga Dam. Great views from high above the lakes, dam, and surrounding valleys. There are some steep, strenuous sections and over 1500’ of climbing: hiking poles recommended. Meet at Long John Silver’s at 9AM or call leader Joel Zabel (423-926-3587) if you would like to be met at Food City in Elizabethton at 9:20.

JAN-14

Little Stony Creek Tr., Jefferson National Forest, at Dungannon, Va. is a moderate 6 mile in/out. This old RR spur seems much like the Smokies as it follows gushing, rushing Little Stony Creek to 2 waterfalls. Storm damage results in some challenges as we follow re-routes and in the crossing of a "tree cemetery" by straddling criss-cross trunks. This gentle hike now has some challenges. Combined 2 club hike. Leader: Marcia Pruner 27-889-5714. Meet 8:00 am at Long John's/Arby's.

JAN-21

A moderate to strenuous 10 mile hike at Bays Mountain. We will cross the dam and then the bridge at the end of the water, making a sharp left onto the Cherry Knobs Trail which we will follow for 1.6 miles to the Cross Ridges Trail; which ends at an old barn and a three way cross roads; we will go straight ahead onto the Pretty Ridge Trail which will take us to the Indian Pipes Trail and in 2.3 miles will take us to the fire tower. After lunch at the tower we will take River Mountain Road to the Antennas and then take the Azalea Trail back to the park. Any who wish to shorten the hike can do so after lunch. Meet at Kroger at 8am.Leader Howard Guinn 423-753-4072-cell 741-7755

JAN-28

Moderate 7 mile hike on the south side of Buffalo Mountain. We’ll hike the Lone Oak trail to Tip Top, and then take High Ridge & Fork Ridge Trails to near the towers. Conditions permitting, we’ll hike off trail for about 3/8 mile to a remote overlook for lunch. We’ll then back track to an abandoned trail that will take us to Basil Gap, and then follow a logging road back to Dry Creek Rd. Meet at Long John Silver’s at 9AM. Contact leader Joel Zabel 423-926-3587 with questions.

 

FEB-4

A 9 mile moderate in and out hike in Unicoi to the Pinnacles Fire Tower. Leave the McDonalds in Erwin at 9 AM. Leader Howard Guinn 423-753-4072

FEB-11

11 Miles of easy Rails to Trails through the Guest River Gorge & along its river near Coeburn, Va. includes bridge crossing, cliffs, coal outcrops, and benches to make this a pleasant walk. Leave Kroger on Brown's Mill Rd at 8:00 am. Leader: Marcia Pruner 276-889-5714

FEB--18

A 10 mile hike from Hinkle Branch to Griffith Branch on Holston Mountain. Leave Long Silvers at 8am. Leader Howard Guinn 423-753-4072-cell 423-741-7755

Feb -25

California Fields in Bumpus Cove approx 8 miles in and out. Start at FS190 taking Patty Ridge trail #113 looks like we'll be road walking 2 miles of FS190- 4wd required to reach #113 trailhead to visit the infamous California Fields. Probably a bit overgrown in here, but we might have the chance to check out Cody Falls. Leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 9AM. Hike leader: Melissa Braswell 423-329-5148-check your e-mail before this hike in case of change

March-3

This no-shuttle hike on Iron Mountain, north of US-421 takes us over Grindstone Ridge – the 4177 foot high point, where the maps show there still to be an in-holding. The hike has been previewed by today’s leader and your president, who asked to do it again. The hike begins and ends on Forest Road 4052 which branches off from US-421 above Shady Valley (southeast -- at the 4th major switchback). A 6.2–mile road walk, in and out of the hollows along the northwestern flank of Iron Mountain, will take us to Johnson Blevins Branch (of Beaverdam Creek). There, an easy bushwhack takes us to the top of Grindstone Ridge. From that high point, we’ll head southwest, along the long-abandoned Grindstone Ridge Trail, soon merging with and continuing in the same direction on the Iron Mountain Trail (FT-54). After just a mile on the IMT we’ll descend into a gap with a deer-browse on the right. The source of David Blevins Branch, which we’ll follow back to FR 4052, is just below the deer browse. This short connector (0.4 miles) takes us back to FR 4052, where we’ll then be left with a 3.6-mile walk back to our car(s).Leave Long John Silver’s at 8 am. Leader Dave McMillin 423-913-2345. Combined two club hike with MAH.

March-10

An in and out, strenuous 13 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail from Allen Gap at (2,234’) to Camp Creek Bald fire tower at (4,844’). Leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 8am. Leader Joel Zabel 423-926-3587.

March-17

Moderate 8 mile hike in & out hike to historic Lost Cove: The leader will bring written history to share as we tour what remains of the settlement. The 1400’ climb of over 2 miles leaving Lost Cove is strenuous. Meet at Long John Silver’s at 9 AM or call the leader Joel Zabel 423-926-3587 if you would like to be met at McDonald’s in Erwin at 9:20.

March-24

Lower Higgins to Higgins Pond (aka Birchfield Pond) via Birchfield camp trail. In and out approximately 5 miles. Stop and check out Lower Higgins Falls (steep descent to the base of falls but worth it). Birchfield Camp trail is unmarked and should be considered steep off trail with the opportunity to get wet in the Birchfield Camp Creek since we will spend some time crossing it. Meet at Long John Silvers at 9 AM. Leader: Melissa Braswell phone 423-329-5148.

March-31

An 11.5 mile hike in the Smokies; 7.4 of the hike will be in and out on the Porters Creek trail that Joy now maintains—so we will carry a handsaw to help her do the spring clean-up of her trail. We will also ramble about 4 miles on the Rhododendron Creek trail; it is unmaintained with two creek crossing and some waterfalls. Leave the Jonesborough Post Office at 8am.Leader Joy Cook 423-631-6587

 

 

*Kroger location at Brown’s Mill Road and North Roan, in Johnson City

**Long John Silver’s at corner of University Pkwy and S. Roan in Johnson City, behind bldg.

***Meadowview Conference Center – meet at entrance of parking lot closest to I-181

****Jonesborough Post Office at 121 Boone Street in Jonesborough