Explorer S Guide 50 Hikes On Tennessee S Cumberland Plateau Walks Hikes And Backpacks From The Tennessee River Gorge To The Big South Fork And Throughout The Cumberlands

Experience great hiking in the scenic swath of Tennessee between Nashville and Knoxville. Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, a wide tableland cut with a dizzying array of deep gorges, is a geological wonderland. It is a place to behold and a place to savor. This new entry in the trusted series details 50 hikes on the plateau, from the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area near Kentucky to the fascinating Walls of Jericho astride the Alabama state line; from the thousand-foot gorge cut by the mighty Tennessee River down Chattanooga way to the watery beauty of Virgin Falls by Sparta. It will encourage you to get out and enjoy the treasures of Tennessee’s unspoiled Cumberland Plateau. Specific emphasis is placed on the most scenic destinations and the unique places that make the plateau so special, places like the Great Stone Door, with its sandstone formations and vertical rock walls, and Cumberland Mountain State Park, with its ancient trees and evidence of human history. Also included are comprehensive maps for each hike, scenic photos, and a Hikes-at-a-Glance table that makes choosing your desired hike a breeze.

Experience great hiking in the scenic swath of Tennessee between Nashville and Knoxville. Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, a wide tableland cut with a dizzying array of deep gorges, is a geological wonderland. It is a place to behold and a place to savor. This new entry in the trusted series details 50 hikes on the plateau, from the Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area near Kentucky to the fascinating Walls of Jericho astride the Alabama state line; from the thousand-foot gorge cut by the mighty Tennessee River down Chattanooga way to the watery beauty of Virgin Falls by Sparta. It will encourage you to get out and enjoy the treasures of Tennessee’s unspoiled Cumberland Plateau. Specific emphasis is placed on the most scenic destinations and the unique places that make the plateau so special, places like the Great Stone Door, with its sandstone formations and vertical rock walls, and Cumberland Mountain State Park, with its ancient trees and evidence of human history. Also included are comprehensive maps for each hike, scenic photos, and a Hikes-at-a-Glance table that makes choosing your desired hike a breeze.

Walks, hikes, and backpacking trips from the Tennessee River Gorge to the Big South Fork Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau, a wide tableland cut with a dizzying array of deep gorges, is a geological wonderland. It is a place to behold and savor. This updated second edition covers hikes from the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area near Kentucky to the fascinating Walls of Jericho astride the Alabama state line; from the thousand-foot gorge cut by the mighty Tennessee River down Chattanooga way to the watery beauty of Virgin Falls by Sparta. Specific emphasis is placed on the most scenic destinations and the unique places that make the plateau so special, places like the Great Stone Door, with its sandstone formations and vertical rock walls, and Cumberland Mountain State Park, with its ancient trees and evidence of ancient human history. Also included are comprehensive maps for each hike, scenic photos, and a hikes-at-a-glance table that makes choosing your desired hike a breeze.

Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau played host to some of the most dramatic military maneuvering of the Civil War. Straddling the entire state of Tennessee, the formidable tableland proved to be a maze of topographical pitfalls and a morass of divided loyalties. As Federal forces sought to capitalize on the capture of Nashville, they moved into a region split by the most vicious guerrilla warfare outside Missouri, including the colorful and intensely violent rivalry between Confederate Champ Ferguson and Unionist "Tinker" Dave Beaty. The bitter conflict affected thousands of ordinary men and women struggling to survive in the face of a remorseless war of attrition, and its legacy continues to be felt today.

Combining historical narrative with the specifics of a guidebook, The Historic Cumberland Plateau is an indispensable aid for visiting and experiencing an area rich in natural wonders and scenic beauty. First published in 1992, the book has now been extensively revised to include the latest information about points of interest and cultural events on the Cumberland Plateau. A land known for its great caves, cascading waterfalls, natural arches, and isolated river canyons, the Plateau stretches from northeast to southwest, encompassing parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. Within its geographic boundaries are many protected areas, including the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, and the Obed National Wild and Scenic River. The Plateau also possesses a unique history and cultural heritage. Inhabited first by Native Americans, then by pioneers migrating westward, the Plateau contains many sites that attest to its rich history. As different groups passed through, some chose to settle permanently, resulting in a diverse cultural heritage celebrated today in many regional events. Each chapter of this book, focusing on a specific area on the Plateau, is filled with fascinating historical facts and anecdotes, as well as practical information about services and accommodations, events, and directions to natural wonders, hiking trails, and historic sites. The Author: Russ Manning is an award-winning freelance writer and author of several outdoor guidebooks. His articles on the outdoors and conservation have been published in Outside, Blue Ridge Country, Walking Magazine, Appalachia, Environment, Sierra, Environmental Ethics, and The Tennessee Conservationist.

Now in its third edition, Hiking the Big South Fork is packed with up-to-date information on the trails of the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area in Tennessee and Kentucky. The book combines numerous details about the natural history of the area with fascinating tidbits of folklore and legend to provide an interpretive guide to the trails. The authors have walked, measured, and rated every hiking trail, and, for this edition, they include information about trails in the adjoining Pickett State Park and Forest. The book features detailed maps; checklists of mammals, birds, and wildflowers; and valuable advice on safety, park rules and regulations, and accommodations. The trail descriptions include difficulty ratings, distance and time information, notes on accommodations and special considerations, and detailed mileage indicators to keep hikers informed of their progress and to clarify points of confusion. Also included is a handy chart designed for backpackers who wish to combine trails for longer excursions. Strollers, hikers, and backpackers looking for a less-crowded alternative to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will enjoy discovering this beautiful, rugged National Park service area. Only a ninety-minute drive northwest of Knoxville, the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area is easily reached in half a day or less from Louisville, Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta. The Authors: Brenda G. Deaver is a park ranger at the Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Jo Anna Smith, a former ranger-historian with the National Park Service, now lives in Idaho with her husband, Steve. Howard Ray Duncan, a native of the Big South Fork area, has spent many years exploring the region. A former school teacher and principal, he has been a ranger at Big South Fork since 1985.

Stunning hikes and walks in the Bluegrass State This comprehensive guide is the essential companion to any traveler’s journey into the verdant countryside of Kentucky. Take advantage of Hiram Rogers’ robust experience when navigating Kentucky’s rich natural attractions, from the Cumberland Gap through to the towering Black Mountain to the rockhouses and cascades of the Bark Camp Trail. Hikes are organized by distance, difficulty, and natural features—including waterfalls and arches—and paired with succinct but informative notes so you can choose the right trail for you and make the most of your journey. Take the knowledge of a proven hiking veteran with you as you explore all that Kentucky’s nature has to offer. As with all the books in the 50 Hikes series, you’ll find clear and concise directions, easy-to-follow maps, and expert tips for enjoying the most of what you want in a hike—whether it’s stunning lake views, luminous moonrises, or sublime skyscapes framed by the crests of mountains.

A new guide to the outstanding hiking opportunities to be found in the mountains, ridges, and valleys of eastern Tennessee.