AN EASY HIKE AT BURGESS FALLS

My hiking buddy and I spent a rainy Sunday afternoon at Burgess Falls, a state natural area bordering Putnam and White counties. It’s a great place for a family trek to the outdoors any time of year, for solace in winter, swimming in summer. 

There’s a couple of short trails. The main trail, a mile and a half loop, winds along the Falling Water River and three small falls. The main event is Burgess Falls itself, a picture perfect waterfall. You can climb an enclosed stairway along the bluff, then a rocky trail down to the base of the falls. In summer, it’s a great place to swim, or just cool off in the refreshing mist.

We hiked down river past the remnants of two hydro-electric power plants which once provided electricity for nearby Cookeville. The first of these, nearest the falls, is pretty dangerous as the concrete floor has rotted through. Stay on the trail. The foundation of the second, a little further downstream, is still intact, and there’s odd pieces of equipment lying around—try and figure out how they were used.

Back on top, you can follow the service road back, or there’s a trail tracing the ridge leads to nice vistas of the gorge below. It’s an flat run through the woods. Both the river trail and service road trail have one steep climb, otherwise easy jaunts.

At the parking lot there’s picnic shelters and a children’s playground.

Burgess Falls is a nice place to spend an afternoon, with some great scenery, in any season.

SAVAGE GULF AND THE STONE DOOR

Finally made it to the Savage Gulf, part of the South Cumberland Recreation Area, in Tennessee’s outstanding state park system. 

We visited the Stone Door end, took the Big Creek Rim and Laurel trails as a loop, after hiking through the Stone Door. Also took the short loop to Laurel Falls from the visitors center. Total hiked, about eight miles in a leisurely five hours. 

Ranger station well set up with ample paved parking, bathrooms, sign in/map station and . Excellent free map of all trails and sites. Trail from there to first overlook paved for a nice view of the gulf. 

Then the hike through the woods begins to Stone Door. That alone worth it, especially the climb up and down the many steps through the door. How many Indians, pioneers and tourists have passed that way? 

Word of caution to anyone with children venturing even this far. The Stone Door trail leads to first of many bluffs—cliffs might be a more apt description—with a straight drop off the edge into the gulf. Watch where you walk, and keep those kiddies close at hand. 

From top of Stone Door the Big Creek Rim Trail begins. It’s a three mile amble through the woods,

returning again and again to natural rock outcroppings overlooking the gulf. Some breathtaking views of woods, gulf, and trail far down below, the roar of a hidden waterfall shouting up to you. Buzzards saunter in and out of view, gliding their thermals. Early spring the gulf is dotted with splotches of maple reds and oranges and yellow greens of early blooming poplars. 

Not crowded at all so we took a break from the trail on one of these bluffs, had the whole gulf to ourselves, just watch and listen and take it all in. Trail eventually leads to the Alum Gap campground, primitive campsites, permits required. 

From there our loop back followed the Laurel Trail another three miles back to the Ranger station. An easy, uneventful walk, save for the stands of mountain laurel and patches of club moss breaking up the woods. Best for late April or May when the laurel is in all its glory. 

We had a great time, and only touched all there is to see or hike at Savage Gulf.

Polly's Branch

For a year-end hike five of us headed over to the Bridgestone Firestone Centennial Wilderness Area in White County area yesterday. The corporation donated 10,000 acres of Scott’s Gulf to the state a few years ago. What a gift to all! Plenty of trails and much to see if your idea of a great time is the great outdoors

Took the Polly’s Branch trail down to the falls and river. Highly recommended; it was beautiful in winter and can only imagine what it’s like in spring when the stands of rhododendron are in all their glory. Nearby is the Virgin Falls pocket wilderness area and trail, another gem.

You can follow the trail straight in and back or, like we did, as a loop of about seven miles or so. First part of Polly’s Branch trail an easy stroll through the woods of little more than a mile to the first of several falls. From there the trail descends at a gradual climb, past other falls, down to the river, then along it for a good ways. Much to explore. 

Of course whenever you hike to see falls, the hike out involves a climb. This was pretty gradual from the river, and we took the Chestnut Mountain Trail back, for the loop. Once you climb out of the bottom it’s pretty easy but not as well marked or worn as the trail in. We wandered off trail at one point but quickly found out way back.

Only passed one set of campers the whole five hours there so had the entire area to ourselves. All this pristine wonderland there waiting, whenever you take the notion to get out and experience this great state, Tennessee.

Seven plus miles of hiking, fantastic scenery in unspoiled wilds. Great camping sites and plenty of photo ops. A great way to wind down the old year!!!