Tennessee State Parks has unveiled its new customer-friendly campground reservation system.
14:44
27
April
2012
Views: 1266
Print
E-mail
Scott Jones and daughter Abby recently enjoyed a backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail, starting at the Hwy. 68 and making their way down to the lower section
Scott Jones
and daughter Abby recently enjoyed a backpacking trip on the John Muir Trail,
starting at the Hwy. 68 and making their way down to the lower section
Jones said
he’s backpacked for many years and has done many miles and days in the north
Georgia mountains and in Tennessee as well as some trips in the
northwest. Abby, who just turned 14, and has fallen in love with
backpacking in the last 2-3 years. “She loved this trip,” he said.
Jones said
the John Muir trail is a great route and the upper section from the power
station to Hwy. 68 is the best part. “The landscape is very different in areas
and offers some fantastic views from high above the river and beautiful areas
on some side streams,” he said, adding there are a couple of cautions for those
considering a hike. The trail has not been well maintained in the upper
sections and there are lots of downed trees and slow going -- It is
harder to navigate, has more hills, and will be much slower to progress than
the lower section. Also the bugs this time of year are ruthless and
people should take plenty of spray, wipes and candles. He said Abby
probably came out with 100 bites.
The early
part from Hwy. 68 west is pleasant and has nice views of the river. Jones
noted that the Hiwassee is a very different river upstream and looks entirely
different than the lower section. “As you go past Coker Creek and toward
the generation station, the most beautiful part of the trail (in our view) was
there. The trail meanders relatively flatly for a mile or two through the
most beautiful greenery and clear waterside streams you can imagine. We
stopped several times and took in the landscape.”
He said the
trail also passes through some of the most swampy looking, snake-infested still
water I’ve ever seen, “but it was still fascinating and we loved it.” For
anyone who has done the lower sections around the parking areas, the upper
portion is completely different and much more remote and back-country -- but
much preferred for hikers who like the more remote areas.
Jones said
he would certainly recommend the trail to others and it made for a nice three-day
trip. They covered about 7 miles on day one, another 8 on day two with an
early camp and a dip in the river, then about 3 miles on day three.
Polk County’s road committee met last Tuesday to go over the list of county roads in an attempt to have an updated list that includes all county roads with their proper names as well as the mileage for the roads.
People who have heard things or have knowledge of documents or records that mention Cherokees passing through are asked to contact the TOHA office at 423-263-7232.
The Polk County Chamber of Commerce will have a Grand Opening of its new facility at 1697 Hwy 64, Benton, next to the Ocoee Express on Saturday, March 16th from 10 am- 3 pm.
Congressman Chuck Fleischmann held a round table meeting with County Executive Hoyt Firestone, Benton Mayor Jerry Stephens, Copperhill Mayor Eric Waters and Ducktown Mayor James Talley.
West Polk Fire & Rescue was paged out Thursday morning to a structure fire at the corner of Old Federal Road and Horns Creek Road between Ocoee and Old Fort.
Did you know that except for some small quirk of fate, I could now be the official historian for Kennedy County and living in the county seat of Ocoee?
Copper Basin’s base ballers used a big 4 run first inning and rode the 3 hit pitching of Austin Starnes to defeat the home standing South Pittsburg Pirates 7-4.
Justin Brown epitomized the successful lead-off batter by reaching base three times and scoring a run every time in the Wildcats’ heartbreaking nine inning 7-6 loss to the home standing Chiefs.
Boyd Buchanan’s Buccaneers swept the 2013 regular season series with the Copper Basin Cougars, winning twice in District 5-A games played on two consecutive days.
The descendants of James Monroe and Mattie Goforth Maynor gathered for a reunion at the Benton Municipal Building April 13th with around 60 people in attendance.
Jason Bell successfully defended his doctorial dissertation titled “The Role of an Afterschool Program on Students Graduating High School: A Focus on Lived Experiences” in February at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Take Charge of Your Diabetes, a program developed by Stanford University, is a six-week course designed to help those with diabetes build skills to improve their health one step at a time.
Greg Paxton snapped this picture of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak a couple weeks ago at Camp McCroy (4H Camp) in Greasy Creek. He said he’d never seen one before, but it waited patiently on the branch for him to get his camera.
As Tennesseans pack up and head out to their favorite campsites, the State Fire Marshal's Office urges campers to be aware of carbon monoxide dangers in and around tents and RVs.
The Tennessee State Parks system has lifted a temporary ban on backcountry campfires in state parks, which was put into place June 29, 2012, due to dry weather conditions and the potential for wildfire hazards.
“Providing real time traffic information can help motorists avoid delays and in turn, reduce congestion on our roadways,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer.
f you are planning to do any outdoor burning from October 15 through May 15 you will need to check with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry first.
Coon hunters will be able to enjoy their sport in the Ocoee and Tellico Bear Reserves next year – but only for a month and only with two dogs per truck.
The county commission has voiced opposition to a proposed change in the coon hunting season, which was just approved in the Bear Reserve for this year.
Related Articles
Print
E-mail
