2013 Adventures
...the year in review...
Every year starts the same now, with off trail excursions in either Sipsey or Bankhead, and this year was no different, hitting up three new to me spots. Of those, Davis Creek was the highlight, and I returned with friend David in February to finish the rest of the creek and explore down river on the Sipsey Fork. A late snow in March brought another snow hike, this time at Monte Sano State Park, while April featured my niece's first camping trip. Most of the summer was spent exploring the central part of Tennessee, finding the most impressive Machine Falls near Tullahoma, and later rare orchids at South Cumberland State Park. Fall brought another visit to South Cumberland and the year's second to Savage Gulf, the autumn colors at their peak.
All Hiking Adventures[Camping Trips in RED, Cabin stays in BLUE] |
| Date | Preview | Locations | Length | Photos | Journal |
| Dec 24 |  |
James D. Martin Wildlife Park, AL
Green Trail, Brown Trail |
3.6 mi |  |
|
| Dec 22 |  |
Sipsey Wilderness Area, AL
Hagood Creek |
8.3 mi | |
|
| Nov 30-Dec 1 |  |
Sipsey Wilderness Area, AL
Thompson Creek Trail |
6 mi | |
|
| Nov 29 |  |
Sipsey Wilderness Area, AL
Cranal Creek |
8.5 mi | |
|
| Nov 27 |  |
Noccalula Falls Park, AL
Black Creek Trail |
4 mi | |
|
| Nov 1-2 |  |
South Cumberland State Park, TN
Savage Gulf State Natural Area, Collins Gulf Trail, Collins Rim Trail, Stagecoach Rd. Trail, Connector Trail, Schwoon Spring Trail |
13.5 mi | |
|
| Oct 20 |  |
Bankhead National Forest, AL
Lower Beech Creek |
7 mi | |
|
| Oct 6 |  |
Cave Mountain Small Wild Area, AL
Cave Trail |
1.75 mi | |
|
| Sep 22 |  |
Freedom Hills WMA, AL
Freedom Hills Walking Trail |
0.5 mi | |
|
| Sep 22 |  |
TVA Reservation, AL
Rockpile Trail, Old First Quarters Small Wild Area |
5 mi | |
|
| Sep 15 |  |
Monte Sano State Park, AL
Arrowhead Trail, Natural Well Trail |
9 mi | |
|
| Sep 14 |  |
Paint Rock River Preserve, AL
unamed trails |
1.25 mi | |
|
| Sep 2 |  |
Burritt on the Mountain Park, AL
Rocky Bluff Trail, Discovery Trail |
2.25 mi | |
|
| Aug 30 |  |
Lake Guntersville State Park, AL
Tom Bevill Loop |
5 mi | |
|
| Aug 27 |  |
South Cumberland State Park, TN
Sewanee Natural Bridge State Natural Area, Natural Bridge Trail, Carter State Natural Area, Buggytop Trail |
4.5 mi | |
|
| July 27-28 |  |
Lake Guntersville State Park, AL
Cave Trail, Spring Trail, Cutchenmine Trail |
8 mi [hiking]
3 mi [kayaking] |
|
|
| Jul 14 |  |
Buck Island Small Wild Area, AL
Buck Island Trail |
2.75 mi | |
|
| Jul 7 |  |
Old Stone Fort State Park, AL
Old Stone Fort Loop |
1.25 mi | |
|
| Jul 7 | |
Short Springs State Natural Area, TN
Machine Falls Loop, Busby Falls Loop, Wildflower Loop, Adams Falls Loop |
3 mi | |
|
| June 3 |  |
South Cumberland State Park, TN
Savage Gulf State Natural Area, Stone Door Trail, Big Creek Gulf Trail, Ranger Falls Trail, Greeter Trail, Greeter Loop Trail, Big Creek Rim Trail |
13 mi | |
|
| Apr 5-6 |  |
Emma's 1st Camping Trip
The Backyard |
-- | |
|
| Mar 30 |  |
Sipsey Wilderness Area, AL
Clifty Creek |
8 mi | |
|
| Mar 2 |  |
Monte Sano State Park, AL
McKay Hollow Trail, North Plateau Loop, Stone Cuts Trail |
7.25 | |
|
| Feb 16 |  |
Bankhead National Forest, AL
Davis Creek, 'Secret Canyon' |
4.25 mi | |
|
| Jan 27 |  |
Sipsey Wilderness Area, AL
White Oak Hollow, Bee Branch, Sipsey River Trail, Thompson Creek Trail |
9 mi | |
|
| Jan 19-20 |  |
Bankhead National Forest, AL
Brushy Lake Recreation Area, Upper Davis Creek |
8 mi | |
|
| Jan 6 |  |
Sipsey Wilderness Area, AL
Lookout Trail |
5 mi | |
|
| Jan 5 |  |
Bankhead National Forest, AL
Mill Creek |
2 mi | |