Guided walks through area wilderness scheduled through September

In an effort to create a better understanding of the recent legislation that will protect nearly 20,000 acres of wilderness in the Cherokee National Forest, the Tennessee wilderness advocacy group Tennessee Wild will be offering a series of guided outings to visit the forest this summer.

The series of outings, lead by naturalists and aquatic biologists, features a mix of easy and strenuous hikes, overnight camping, storytelling, and two snorkeling trips on the Hiwassee and Conasauga Rivers.

“The snorkel trip (on the Hiwassee River) will focus on seeing hellbenders, which is the largest amphibian in North America.  In addition, we’ll see darters and other fish native to the Hiwassee,” Jeff Hunter, Tennessee Wild’s campaign coordinator, said.  

Hunter said the guided trips are fun and educational.

"It is an opportunity to explore some trails that don't get a whole lot of traffic. Participants will learn about these areas and how to find them, what they have to offer, and they can come back with their friends and share these great public lands with others," Hunter said.

Each of the trips will also focus on the question "Why wilderness?"

According to the group's website, "the tradition of protecting wilderness dates back almost 100 years to the country's foremost conservationists — Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Aldo Leopold, to name a few — who recognized the need to set aside America's wild places to preserve our watersheds, wildlife habitat and the great outdoors from the ever-growing spread of development and commercialization."

 

Saturday July 23

An easy 2-mile family hike will take place on the Big Creek Trail in the Big Frog Wilderness. The hike, ideal for families with young children, will take participants one easy mile on a fairly level trail to a creek. There, kids will have an opportunity to play in the water during lunch. Registration is limited to 18 participants.

 

July 29-31

Tennessee Wild will hold its first ever weekend camp out at Gee Creek Campground in Delano, TN.  The campout is Friday and Saturday night, with snorkeling on the Hiwassee River on Saturday July 30, and tubing the Hiwassee on Sunday July 31.  Snorkeling will focus on locating giant salamanders, or hellbenders, with species expert Dr. Michael Freake.  The fee for camping is $1.50 per person per night.  A $20 fee for snorkeling (ages 12 & up – limit 20 participants) will cover the US Forest Service fee for wetsuit, mask and snorkel rental. Tubing is $15 per person with a $5 rental charge for a life jacket. Participants can save the $5 fee by providing their own personal floatation device (PFD).  Participants can choose to join one or all of the events occurring over the course of the weekend.

 

Saturday, August 6

A snorkeling trip will take place on the Conasauga River.  The crystal clear waters of the Conasauga contain one of the highest concentrations of freshwater fish species of any river in North America.  A $35 fee includes wetsuit, snorkel and mask rental, guides, and a healthy lunch from Earth Fare Chattanooga.  In addition, storyteller Jim Pfitzer will entertain during lunch. This trip is open to children age 12 and up and limited to 20 participants.

Saturday, August 20

A 6-mile hike of the Kirkland Creek Trail will take place in the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area – east of Tellico Plains. This hike contains twenty-four stream crossings.  The trail itself is fairly level, but the numerous stream crossings make it a moderately strenuous hike.  This outing is limited to 12 hikers due to wilderness regulations.

 

Saturday September 10

An easy 4-mile hike along the Brookshire Creek Trail will lead participants to a beautiful waterfall where attendees will enjoy lunch before returning to cars.  This outing is limited to 12 hikers.

Saturday September 24

An 11.2-mile hike of the Big Frog Trail will take participants to the summit of Big Frog Mountain.  The hike is rated very strenuous due to the elevation gain of over 2000 feet.  This outing is limited to 12 hikers.