Tennessee Eastman Hiking & Canoeing Club
Supporting hiking and canoeing in the North East Tennessee area
Yet another week and we have you covered on all fronts. Hiking, flat water paddling, rapids paddling, and backpacking trips abound! Have a great Memorial Weekend.
As usual check our schedule for the details.
Leader: Deb Reynolds
I am scheduling several Saturday events this summer to explore the local Holston River including the North and South Fork. Most of these events will require a car shuttle, so advance notice is required for planning purposes. The trip length will vary, but will normally be between 2 and 4 hours. A lunch or snack will be desired. Fishing and bird watching are options as we will not be racing to see how quick we can get to the end. Bring a friend, a pole or camera, and an attitude for exploring. PFDs are required. Future dates are June 18, July 16 and August 6. Contact Deb Reynolds, dlreynolds@eastman.com.
Contact: Brad Jones, 423-283-5821
Friends of Nature and the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department present a “Unique day of hiking” with local guest naturalists. Spring is a great time of year to enjoy nature at its finest. Come out and learn about the biology and natural history of [[Buffalo Mountain Park]] and take some great day hikes. The event features some great leaders. Wildflowers with Tim McDowell, Salamanders with Kevin Hamed, James Brooks with Birds, Jeremy Stout and Bob Whittemore with Geology, Kathy Landy with Aquatic Insects, and Brad Jones with Butterflies. The event starts with Birds at 7 am and ends at 5 pm with Butterflies. For more information, call Johnson City Parks and Recreation Park Naturalist at Winged Deer Park, 423-283-5821.
Contact: Kent and Nancy Wilson
We plan to backpack the AT from Fontana Dam to the Lost Cove Trail and then the Lakeshore Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park about 40 miles. We plan to leave Kingsport around 11 am on Friday, May 27. Friday night will be spent at campsite 90. Saturday we will most likely stay at campsite 77. On Sunday night we will plan to stay at either campsite 74 or 75. On Monday we will finish the Lakeshore Trail at the “Road to Nowhere.” If you are interested in this backpack trip, please contact Kent Wilson at akwilson@eastman.com.
Unfortunately if you weren’t there, you missed HardCore 2011. The work on Pond Mountain was tough but the sense of accomplishment of making trail in those conditions is great. Full write up coming soon. This week it looks like you have some good opportunities to learn and have fun.
Get all of the details from our schedule page.
Leaders: Terry & Thresa Dougherty, 423- 502-5177
This is the 32nd year for the Bluestone Trip. The trip this year is planned later than ever because the Pipestem State Park Mountain Creek Lodge does not open until Friday May 27, Memorial weekend with a 3-night minimum. The cost is $97.44 with tax per night. We could not reserve a block of rooms, so folks will need to call 304-466-1800 to make their own reservations. With it being a holiday weekend, they probably need to call ASAP to get rooms. Camping is available in the campground and reservations can be made as well.
We are planning on paddling Saturday and Sunday (optional). The average flow for the May 30 timeframe is 518 CFS, so the water level could be really good. Other activities include golfing, birding, horseback riding, hiking and biking. A Saturday evening Happy Hour (Ed Montgomery coordinator) is planned and is always a fun event. This is a special trip and we hope you can join us for the longest running TEHCC annual paddling trip!
Over the years, TEHCC hikes have typically left from the following locations. Others can be prearranged with the hike leader.
Colonial Heights: The parking lot between McDonalds, State of Franklin Bank, and Ingles located north of Fort Henry Drive on the Kingsport side of I-81 Exit 59.
Johnson City: The parking lot behind Parkway Discount Wine & Liquor just off I-81 Exit 24 at intersection of University Parkway and South Roan Street.
Gate City: Up on the hill above US23/58/421 at the Kane Street intersection (traffic light) sits Food Lion, Advance auto parts, and Subway.
For more detail, check out the [[Meeting locations for TEHCC hikes|Trail Wiki]].
Come to this month’s meeting to learn about the details of using and how you can contribute to our new trail wiki site. Come learn how you can navigate our new [[Main Page|wiki]] and use it to find trails that interest you. We’ll even cover how you can help contribute to the site by either directly editing yourself or by providing the information for others to use in editing. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy while talking with others. The program starts at noon and we plan to be finished by 12:45 to give travel time for those who may have a 1PM meeting. Location is at Eastman in Kingsport B150 Room C. If you’re not an Eastman employee but are interested in attending contact Tim Schaefer to arrange a visitor pass.
Wow! Do we have you covered this weekend! Take your pick. Whitewater or flatwater paddling, the infamous Damascus Hard Core, or the always reliable Collins Chew and his Friday Hikers. Check out the schedule for all of the details.