Johnson City Hiking Club Schedule for Jan-Mar 2012
To download pdf 2012JanMarch.pdf
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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.
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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.
|
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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
|
|
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
|
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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.
|
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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