If you could only choose one park to hike in today... (Chattanooga: apartment, houses)

[Grizzlybear34]

...which one would you choose?

My family will be coming to Chattanooga for a long weekend and a little apartment shopping for me. My son's girlfriend has never been hiking and while I have heard great things about Chester Frost, not sure if this is the best time of year for that park since we won't be swimming!

Looking for something with a reasonable 3 mile hike, not too difficult.

Are the colors still in the trees or did they all drop? Would love to see some fall color but I think it may be too late...

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

[peppermint]

I don't know about favorite hiking, but we've been up on Signal Mountain at Signal Point. Some of that can get steep, but you can turn around and hike back. There is also a trail from the top of Lookout Mountain to Craven's House. I think it starts in Point Park, but again you can turn around before you get to the house. I'm fairly new to Chattanooga and haven't discovered all the trails so maybe someone else will chime in as well.

The leaves have mostly fallen. The ones around Harrison Bay mostly all fell after the winds and rains of Ida. There is still some color though.

Harrison Bay is another thought for hiking. Oh, and I just remembered the North Chickamauga Creek Greenway here in Hixson. There's a dog walk and park, and relatively easy hiking that goes in a loop. I can't think of others just now.

[SPLIT]

GB: If one need Flat & great scenry,, I would go on the North edge of the river,, west of signal mtn , down along Suck Creek raod , past the boat launch ,, on the left is River Canyon Rd.. Great motorcycle / bike raod .
.. This leads toward the Historic Pot POint cabin , where one can park & walk right along the EDGE of the water , in the gorge area , & loop back to the parking lot .
.. Yes most of the leaves are down with IDA rain / wind,, but a few late dull color big trees.
.. We are in Steven Foster Park today , Historic White Sulfer Springs, two full days of MTN BIke around all the trails, in this Park & town ... very very nice..
.. Prentiss Cooper should also be another easy loop close to the city also off that Suck creek region..
..P.M. has a good suggestion for Hixon NO Chick quarry paved walk , up you are up in that region off Hamill rd.

[Grizzlybear34]

Split - That sounds like a winner! Flat and easy with great scenery, perfect for us tenderfoots without motorcycles...

Peppermint - Appreciate your suggestions as well. We may have to check those as well, but we have only a couple of days.

[Grizzlybear34]

Here is a link to Pot Cabin... this looks great!

Tennessee River Gorge Trust - Directions

[jwkilgore]

When are you coming up? Any time anyone is here on the first or last Saturday of each month I always recommend Lula Lake Land Trust. It's private property, but they have regular open houses two days a month. The hike down to the the waterfall from parking is about 1 mile along a mostly level (slight down grade in, up grade out) former railroad bed. Optionally, you can drive about almost all the way to the falls and drop off passengers, but the driver has to loop back around to park. This picture was taken in February after a significant amount of rainfall:


Hiking down to the base of the waterfall (where I took the picture) is quite a bit more strenuous, but I think it's worth it. There's a micro geocache hidden behind the falls at the base, plus several other caches hidden around the property.

Or, you can hike up one of the many trails that runs along Eagle Bluff for spectacular views of the Chattanooga Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains in the distance.

Option 2:
For almost perfectly level hiking/biking, check out the Chickamauga Unit of the Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Several miles of trails along flat forested land, with a few small hills here or there. Also hundreds of memorials and cannons. The best option of you have any interest in Civil War history.

Option 3:
Biology Trail system on White Oak Mountain at the Southern Adventist University. Awesome system of trails, ranging from flat to insanely steep switchbacks (many butt-surfing opportunities with fall leaves on the ground). Great views of the TN Valley if you make it to the top of the ridge. Dozens of geocaches hidden along the system.

My choice? If it's open, Lula Lake always wins with me unless it's cloudy (it's on the top of a mountain, so low-clouds in the valley translates to pea-soup fog on the mountain). If the people I'm with aren't in the best shape or we want to ride bicycles, then the Chickamauga NMP gets the nod. Otherwise, I'd hit the Biology Trails.



PM's Suggestions:
The North Chick Greenway is nice (gentle grades, former rail bed), with a few side trails. Exploring on the west side of the quarry is really fun.

There are dozens of trails along and around LO Mountain, most associated with the Chattanooga Unit of the C&C NMP. Some quite strenuous. I haven't hiked any of them (except for a short run down to Sunset Rock), but they look awesome. I'll do them when my now 4-yr-old is old enough to come with me.

The Signal Point trails are part of the TN River Gorge Section of the Cumberland Trail State Park. In addition to the main trail, there are many miles of side trails available. Lots of awesome views year-round, but more in the fall. It gets quite steep and strenuous in sections; not for the faint of heart. Cool pedestrian cable-suspension bridge over Suck Creek.


Split's Suggestions:
I haven't hiked the Pot Point trail (it's waaay on the other side of town), but I've heard it's really cool. Several geocaches; I want to do it someday. It sounds as good as any I've suggested, so go for it!

Anyway, there are hundreds of miles of public trails within a short drive of downtown Chattanooga. You can also check out Chattanooga Hiking Club and Outdoor Chattanooga.

[Grizzlybear34]

Wow! Choices, choices...

We come up this next Saturday, thanks for the suggestions

[jkmewright]

Originally Posted by jwkilgore

...micro geocache...caches... hidden around the property...several geocaches[/url].

Did you say geocache? We just got started on this and are having a BLAST! Going old school without the GPS so it can be frustrating but still a good time. Thanks for the tips

[jwkilgore]

Originally Posted by Grizzlybear34

Wow! Choices, choices...

Re-reading your original post (son's girlfriend never hiked), I'd have to say that Split's suggestion is the best if you like the girl. The TN gorge is awesome any time of year. Chickamauga NMP is next if you have any interest in Civil War History.

If you DON'T like her (or want to see what she's made of), then take them to one of the more interesting trails... like try to day-hike the 32-mile TN River Gorge segment of the Cumberland Trail, and make sure you jump up and down on the Suck Creek bridge.

[Grizzlybear34]

We like her, lol...

...but if she crosses us.........

Originally Posted by jwkilgore

Re-reading your original post (son's girlfriend never hiked), I'd have to say that Split's suggestion is the best if you like the girl. The TN gorge is awesome any time of year. Chickamauga NMP is next if you have any interest in Civil War History.

If you DON'T like her (or want to see what she's made of), then take them to one of the more interesting trails... like try to day-hike the 32-mile TN River Gorge segment of the Cumberland Trail, and make sure you jump up and down on the Suck Creek bridge.