North Chickamauga Trail Segment

That Dog Can't Climb a Ladder

It’d been two weeks since Annabelle and I had been hiking, so I figured we should get out and tackle the rest of the trail located in Pocket Wilderness.  Since the hike with Grace a few weeks back went so well I decided to let her tag along as well.  The parking area is a good distance from the road so I let Grace go without a leash straight out of the car (keep in mind this dog is a giant chicken and better behaved than most grown adults, not recommended for just any dog).  Annabelle, as usual, was leashed and had her pack strapped on.

At the beginning of the hike Grace, who was no joke grinning from ear to ear, ran circles around us as we made the walk to the Upper Hogskin Loop junction.  Once we turned off on the Upper Hogskin Loop Trail, Grace attached herself to my left side and stayed there throughout most of the hike.

The Upper Loop Trail comes to an end where you can either turn left to take the Lower Loop Trail, or you can continue straight on the old coal mining road up the Side of Mowbray Mountain.  Straight, the dogs and I went as the trail began its slow climb up the side of the mountain. 

Along the trail we passed a set of Coal Tipple Remains, which is the location where mine cars were once tipped (hence tipple) and emptied of their coal.  From here the coal would make its trip down the trail/road and be processed and sold off.

Tipple

Right past the tipples there is a waterfall with a small stream crossing (like a hop and you’ve crossed it) and an Open Mine on the other side (where the coal that was tipped at the coal tipples was retrieved).  Past the mine the trail narrows and runs below the bluff line, occasionally opening up to an overhang in the bluff.  When the trail is narrow, which is most of the time, there is a fairly steep drop on the left, and way below you can catch glimpses of the Chickamauga Creek.  The trail eventually ends at the foot of a set of wooden steps which carry you up to the top of the bluff.  Once atop the stairs you can see the Boston Branch Overlook, which is where the dogs and I stopped for a water break.

Boston Branch Overlook

From the overlook there is a short climb to another old coal mining road.  From here the trail is flat and runs for a while along the ridge, though there isn’t much of a view.  The trail eventually juts off to the left, though this isn’t necessarily apparent if you aren’t expecting it.  Don’t worry; if you miss it, the old coal mining road goes a little farther before it disappears.   

After the trail leaves the coal mining road it narrows and begins to descend down the mountain side.  There are two major events back to back almost immediately after you begin the decent, a cable crossing and a ladder.  The cable crossing is not a big deal, unless there has been a significant recent rain.  At the cable crossing there is a seasonal creek you have to ford that drops about 10-15 feet on the other side of the cable (only a potential problem if it has rained a lot recently).  After the cable crossing comes the ladder.  This is as it is called, a ladder, straight up and down wooden ladder that descends 15-20 feet and doesn’t allow for a large dog(s) to get down.  So at the ladder, the dogs and I had to call it a hike and begin our trek back to the car.

Ladder

Trip Distance 6.4 miles roundtrip

2012 Total Mileage 26.82 miles

Cumberland Trail Mileage 12.74 mile

Hogskin Loop Trail

Just a Loop

 Hogskin Loop is located on the North Chickamauga segment of the Cumberland Trail.  This trail section is located in what many know as Pocket Wilderness off of Montlake Road on the side of Mowbray Mountain.  This area is very popular in the summer for its swimming holes; unfortunately in the summer time cars are often broken into despite the heavy presence of people.  Another problem is a large amount of drinking and drug using can be found farther back at some of the holes.  With that said, I will say that the state or county has increased the number of rangers stationed there in the summer and some illegal activity has decreased.  In the cooler months the park is inhabited by many hikers, and illegal activities are at an all time low.  Word to the wise leave your car empty of valuables and leave the windows down or the doors unlocked.

Creek Crossing on Upper Loop Trail

Annabelle was back in commission and ready to take on the short loop trail.  From the trail head it is 0.1 miles to the beginning of the loop.  Annabelle and I continued to go straight (versus turning left and heading to the Upper Loop) on the Lower Loop.  Along the Lower Loop trail there are many side paths down to favored swimming holes.  As the trail gets closer to creek level it will split either veering into the creek and picking up on the other side, or turning into the mountainside.  The loop trail takes you to the mountainside.  The trail gradually gains elevation before it takes a steep ascent to an old coal mining road.  At the intersection with the coal mining road you can turn left, which will take you up the side of the mountain or you can turn right and follow the Upper Loop Trail back to the parking lot. 

Coal Mining Road

 

We followed the Upper Loop trail back to the parking lot.  This segment of the trail follows the fairly flat old coal mining road before descending quickly down to the main trail.  As the upper trail comes in closer proximity to Montlake Road a heavy layer of glass covers the area making a dangerous walking area for Annabelle’s feet (she has so far continued to avoid slicing her pads up).  The Upper Loop Trail drops off the coal mine road and begins a fast descent to the main lower trail and the end of the loop. 

Trip Distance 1.44 miles roundtrip

2012 Total Mileage 20.44 miles

Cumberland Trail Mileage 9.54 mile

Rainbow Lake to Rainbow Falls

Wrapping up Loose Ends

There was about 0.30 miles of the Tennessee River Gorge section of the Cumberland Trail I hadn’t hiked, the section between Rainbow Falls and Rainbow Lake.  Since Annabelle had tangoed with a skunk earlier in the day I decided to draft Grace (a Weimaraner) as my hiking partner for the day, while Annabelle recovered from her spraying and bath. 

It was another unusually warm day (Thursday), and as usual the Rainbow Lake trailhead parking lot had a number of cars in it.  I kept Grace leashed till we got past the golf course.  Unlike Annabelle, Grace stays at your side and will wander (if prey is spotted) only a few feet ahead before running back to your side.  Don’t be fooled she is not a well trained dog; she is just scared she will get left behind, oh yea and she idolizes me. 

We made the trip down the gravel trail to the lake and then instead of cruising across the swinging bridge began the walk back towards Rainbow Falls.  There were a few rock fields we traversed, and a small bridge (which the dog was terrified of), overall an easy section of trail.

Trip Distance 1.8 miles roundtrip

2012 Total Mileage 19 miles

Cumberland Trail Mileage 8.3 mile

Rainbow Lake to Mushroom Rock

Turnaround Times

Rainbow Lake is a popular hiking spot on Signal Mountain, and seldom will you find the area to yourself.  Before the Great Depression, Rainbow Lake was a huge lake equipped with docks and row boat, just a burrows ride away from the Signal Mountain Inn (now part of Alexian Village).  Now, however, all that remains is a crumbling dam.

Dam at Rainbow Lake

It was a warm Tuesday with the temperature making its way up into the mid 50s.  Parking at the Rainbow Lake trailhead, we followed the gravel connector trail down Middle Creek where the Cumberland Trail crosses the creek via a swinging bridge.  This bridge can be quite slick when it is wet.  Once across the bridge a green trail will veer off to the right, this is Bee Branch Trail and will loop back to the parking lot.  Following the white markers you will begin to ascend out of the gorge.  You will pass Lockhart’s Arch, which is only really noticeable on the trek back (when you are able to see it out ahead of you).  Lockhart’s Arch is a nifty boulder with a, wait for it, arch in it where you can see the ground below it.  It’s not anything spectacular but cool all the same.  The trail continues wandering out along the ridgeline and the drifting back into the woods before it finally spits you out at Edward’s Point. 

Edward’s Point View

Edward’s Point is a popular location for hikers and ATVers alike.  Generally the people that ride in are friendly, but every once in a while you come across some sketchy folk who are up to no good.  Once you move past the overlook you will start to walk up a small hill and the trail markers will reappear to the left of the dirt road.  The trail will follow along the ridge, overlooking the Suck Creek Gorge, before it darts back into the woods.  There are several small creeks to hop over between Edward’s Point and Mushroom Rock, and Annabelle wanted to taste each one along the way there and back. 

Our turnaround time was 3:00 PM EST, at 3:15 we got to Mushroom Rock.  I don’t often encourage ignoring a turnaround time, but I knew I’d have enough daylight to make it back it I extended my turnaround time to 3:30 max.  Unfortunately, my left knee (the right one had a brace on) was starting to hurt as was my right hip flexor.  Annabelle was slowing down too; this was our longest hike in a long time.  By the time we arrived at Edward’s Point my knees were in serious pain, and I still had to climb down and back out of the Middle Creek Gorge.  It was painful, but I did make it out of the woods under my own power and luckily before the sun set.  Annabelle, that lucky dog, got to climb into the car and sleep on the ride back home.  After resting for a few hours my sore knees started to feel much better.

Trip Distance 11.28 miles roundtrip

2012 Total Mileage 17.2 miles

Cumberland Trail Mileage 8 mile

Suck Creek Road to Mushroom Rock

Shoulder Parking and Highway Crossing

Mushroom rock is a rock that, get this, is shaped like a mushroom.  There are pictures of it in historical accounts of Signal Mountain that date back to the beginning of the town’s inception.  The rock is actually located on private property, but the owner has no problems (to date) with hikers stopping to snap a few shots of the rock before moving along.  The Cumberland Trail passes right by this historical rock, (as do a few others) and is a major destination for many hikers and trail runners (today, however, we ran into one other person at the rock).

Mushroom Rock

 

The weather was a partially overcast day in the upper 40s, lower 50s, a warm Friday in January.  The plan of attack for this section of trail was to park on Suck Creek Road and hike back towards and up Signal Mountain.  I ended up parking right above the trail’s road crossing on the mountain side of the road (versus the creek side parking further up the gorge).  Luckily Annabelle was already outfitted in her pack, because there wasn’t much room on the side of the road.  Crossing the road can be tricky, people fly on this road despite the hiker crossing signs. 

Trailhead at Hwy 27

Once safely across the road you have to climb over the guard rail (or for dogs, Annabelle, under) and descend down to South Suck Creek where a nice wooden bridge takes you over to the other side.  There is a lot of garbage that has been dumped along the creek, which sadly takes some of the beauty from this land, keep an eye out for broken glass as it will tear your dogs feet up.  After crossing the bridge, the trail runs alongside and through a tributary creek as you ascend a small plateau.  Atop the plateau you will see a small creek cascading out of sight into a cave before you begin your descent.  An ominous 250-foot suspension bridge will carry you across North Suck Creek, and yes the boards creak and bow as you walk across.  If you have a dog that is not fond of swinging bridges, this will likely be their least favorite.  Once across, a new trail pops up, marked in blue, this trail veers to the left and from what I can guess ends up at Mushroom rock (don’t quote me on that).  The Cumberland Trail continues to your right and begins the final ascent up Signal Mountain.  Before you reach the top of the mountain you will be able to see the rock, which is a great treat after the steep climb.  Annabelle and I were worn out from the trek out to the rock so we stretched out and drank a lot of water and I stuffed my jacket into my pack before we headed back to the car.  Pay close attention when heading back that you take the trail that goes downhill, not the one that stays level and then jumps up a small boulder.  The Cumberland Trail has a switch back right at Mushroom Rock, so it is easy to jump on the wrong trail, though you should realize your mistake very quickly if you do.  The upside of the trip back to Highway 27 is there is only one major climb; the downside is the last descent is rocky which can pose some danger for the weary hiker. 

Trip Distance 3.92 miles roundtrip

2012 Total Mileage 5.92 miles

Cumberland Trail Mileage 2.96 mile