It's the middle of winter, and I'm going stir crazy from being stuck inside, so writing about the outdoors seemed like the perfect solution.
Last month on MLK Day the temperature was relatively "warm," so we decided to venture out for a hike. (My idea of "warm" has changed significantly as the last two months have seen many days with highs in the 20's and 30's!) I suggested South Cumberland's Grundy Day Loop, because I knew it was a nice hike along a creek, and I hoped I would see some beautiful ice along the way. I was not disappointed!
I discovered South Cumberland State Park (SCSP) a few years ago, and it has become one of my local favorites. Located less than an hour from Chattanooga on the Cumberland Plateau, it's the perfect location for a day hike. Grundy Day Loop was the first hike I completed in SCSP, and it's still one of my favorites. SCSP is a somewhat confusing state park for a couple of reasons. First, it's large and there are many different sections and hikes to choose from which can make it overwhelming. In addition, it's physically disconnected. It actually looks like it's made up of several smaller unrelated state parks that simply happen to share a name. And some of the sections are quite a distance from each other. Grundy Day Loop is a moderate 2 mile loop trail located in the Fiery Gizzard section.
Our first time visiting the park, we stopped at the visitor center, where they recommended 3 hikes for us. We ended up completing the Grundy Day Loop hike first, and stopped by the second two briefly (but returned on other days to explore them more). In the nearby town of Tracy City, we visited the oldest bakery in TN (which was brought to our attention by the visitor center staff). It was a quaint little bakery with some delicious bread, and we have returned many times since then.
Grundy day Loop is pleasant during the summer. The trees provide a nice shade cover, and since we're hiking along the creek the entire time there are plenty of opportunities to stop and dip our toes in the water. There's also several very nice swimming holes if we're feeling up for a swim. The waterfalls aren't huge, but there are several of them along the way.
My favorite waterfall is right past where the two creeks merge. You have to detour from the day loop and take a bridge across one of the creeks. After walking a slight distance on the fiery gizzard trail, you will come to rushing cascade. At the bottom of the cascade, the narrow creek passes through two tall rock walls, creating a narrow passageway. I always think it looks like it would be fun to ride down this section in a tube. (But probably not the smartest idea as it's a pretty steep waterfall!) If you hike a little farther along the trail, there are some huge boulders which are fun to climb around on and explore. The trail continues on and connects to the much longer Fiery Gizzard trail, but we always turn around and head back to finish the day loop.
I've also now completed this hike in the fall and winter also, and it's just as beautiful. In fact MLK Day was one of my favorite visits because the water running off the rocks had frozen creating beautiful formations and ice cycles. There is something so gorgeous and delicate about ice along a rushing creek.
I'm so thankful for the numerous beautiful locations to hike and explore so close to home. And even though winter is not my favorite season, I'm glad I can enjoy the beauty of places like South Cumberland in all seasons.
Directions: Grundy Day Loop Parking Area & Trailhead (Google Maps)
Map:SCSP Fiery Gizzard Section Map (Includes Grundy Day Loop)
Last month on MLK Day the temperature was relatively "warm," so we decided to venture out for a hike. (My idea of "warm" has changed significantly as the last two months have seen many days with highs in the 20's and 30's!) I suggested South Cumberland's Grundy Day Loop, because I knew it was a nice hike along a creek, and I hoped I would see some beautiful ice along the way. I was not disappointed!
I discovered South Cumberland State Park (SCSP) a few years ago, and it has become one of my local favorites. Located less than an hour from Chattanooga on the Cumberland Plateau, it's the perfect location for a day hike. Grundy Day Loop was the first hike I completed in SCSP, and it's still one of my favorites. SCSP is a somewhat confusing state park for a couple of reasons. First, it's large and there are many different sections and hikes to choose from which can make it overwhelming. In addition, it's physically disconnected. It actually looks like it's made up of several smaller unrelated state parks that simply happen to share a name. And some of the sections are quite a distance from each other. Grundy Day Loop is a moderate 2 mile loop trail located in the Fiery Gizzard section.
Our first time visiting the park, we stopped at the visitor center, where they recommended 3 hikes for us. We ended up completing the Grundy Day Loop hike first, and stopped by the second two briefly (but returned on other days to explore them more). In the nearby town of Tracy City, we visited the oldest bakery in TN (which was brought to our attention by the visitor center staff). It was a quaint little bakery with some delicious bread, and we have returned many times since then.
Grundy day Loop is pleasant during the summer. The trees provide a nice shade cover, and since we're hiking along the creek the entire time there are plenty of opportunities to stop and dip our toes in the water. There's also several very nice swimming holes if we're feeling up for a swim. The waterfalls aren't huge, but there are several of them along the way.
My favorite waterfall is right past where the two creeks merge. You have to detour from the day loop and take a bridge across one of the creeks. After walking a slight distance on the fiery gizzard trail, you will come to rushing cascade. At the bottom of the cascade, the narrow creek passes through two tall rock walls, creating a narrow passageway. I always think it looks like it would be fun to ride down this section in a tube. (But probably not the smartest idea as it's a pretty steep waterfall!) If you hike a little farther along the trail, there are some huge boulders which are fun to climb around on and explore. The trail continues on and connects to the much longer Fiery Gizzard trail, but we always turn around and head back to finish the day loop.
I've also now completed this hike in the fall and winter also, and it's just as beautiful. In fact MLK Day was one of my favorite visits because the water running off the rocks had frozen creating beautiful formations and ice cycles. There is something so gorgeous and delicate about ice along a rushing creek.
I'm so thankful for the numerous beautiful locations to hike and explore so close to home. And even though winter is not my favorite season, I'm glad I can enjoy the beauty of places like South Cumberland in all seasons.
Directions: Grundy Day Loop Parking Area & Trailhead (Google Maps)
Map:SCSP Fiery Gizzard Section Map (Includes Grundy Day Loop)
