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