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