We’ll leave from Christ Community Church early on Saturday morning and carpool out to Prentice Cooper State Forest (near Chattanooga).
The beginner/intermediate crew will hike about 5 miles to a backcountry site along a stream (there are several to choose from). Along the way we’ll hike through boulders and along mountain streams, and work our way around the side of a mountain. On Sunday we’ll hike about 3.5 miles back to the trailhead. Along the way we’ll stop at an amazing overlook over the Tennessee River (the photo at the top of this page is from a morning when it was all fogged in), and climb up through a rock staircase similar to Stone Door. Despite the shorter distance as compared to some of our advanced treks, this is a great hike with some rewarding challenges and views along the way.
The advanced crew will hike about 11-12 miles to a different backcountry site. On Sunday they’ll hike about 7 or 8 miles back out (2 options on the way out).
Both crews will drive out together, but will hike and camp separately.
Once the roster is finalized, Scouts will choose their leadership roles for this trek based on how we backpack at Philmont: Crew leader, Chaplains aide, and Wilderness Guia, as well as cooks.
Much of this trail is not visible in Gaia GPS. We’ll be traveling from the Cumberland Trailhead, down to Snoopers Rock, and then around the Pot Point loop to McNabb Gulf Campsite. On Sunday we’ll hike back up through the Hemlock Branch Campsite (where the beginner+intermediate crew will be camping), and decide whether we want to take the east or west side of the Mullen’s Cove Loop Trail.