- Joined
- Dec 21, 2008
- Messages
- 402
I'm new to the W&SS forum, but want to share a few pics from my first solo hike of the Spring. I've been lurking for a couple of weeks, and can't believe I was oblivious to this great sub-forum for so long. I've found a ton of great info here.
I had a few new toys and the wife and kids were at work and school, so I loaded up and headed to the top of Signal Mountain to play for a few hours! I'll apologize in advance for the pics. I'm not the greatest photographer, and the Sony digicam I took seems to do better at video than stills.
The hike from Signal Point to Edwards Point is part of the Cumberland Trail and is about 2.9 miles each way. The great views start when you get to the parking area:
It's a pretty rocky trail, but well-marked. Since you start at the top of the mountain, the elevation changes aren't too severe. There are a few ups and downs, but other than a series of stairs at the beginning (and end) of the hike, nothing too taxing. I'll admit, the stairs going back up after 5.8 miles on my out-of-shape body had me panting!
Here is a cool swinging bridge and the first place I stopped for a drink of water and pictures:
I just got a new Lafuma day pack that was just right for this type of trip. Held my lunch, a pair of shorts (I started out in jeans which I never changed out of), FAK, binoculars, GPS, videocamera, a couple of knives, 2 bottles of water, etc. Very comfortable and light. I could have done with less, but I was playing with my toys!
Some views from the trail:
I had to remind myself a couple of times to be cautious. Especially solo. To take the safe route, not the adventurous one. I didn't see anyone else on the trail until about half way back on my return trip. As I mentioned, this is a rocky trail, and a twisted ankle would have sucked pretty bad. I did lose the trail for a minute crossing a rocky downhill runoff, but quickly found it again.
Here are a few shots of the destination:
A good place to eat lunch:
I watched about 6 hawks circling for quite a while, but didn't manage to get any pics or video. Too mesmerized to move until it was too late!
Some nice views of the Tennessee River:
Everybody enjoy your spring! The weather is finally nice here, and I can't wait to keep getting back out into it.
I had a few new toys and the wife and kids were at work and school, so I loaded up and headed to the top of Signal Mountain to play for a few hours! I'll apologize in advance for the pics. I'm not the greatest photographer, and the Sony digicam I took seems to do better at video than stills.
The hike from Signal Point to Edwards Point is part of the Cumberland Trail and is about 2.9 miles each way. The great views start when you get to the parking area:
It's a pretty rocky trail, but well-marked. Since you start at the top of the mountain, the elevation changes aren't too severe. There are a few ups and downs, but other than a series of stairs at the beginning (and end) of the hike, nothing too taxing. I'll admit, the stairs going back up after 5.8 miles on my out-of-shape body had me panting!
Here is a cool swinging bridge and the first place I stopped for a drink of water and pictures:
I just got a new Lafuma day pack that was just right for this type of trip. Held my lunch, a pair of shorts (I started out in jeans which I never changed out of), FAK, binoculars, GPS, videocamera, a couple of knives, 2 bottles of water, etc. Very comfortable and light. I could have done with less, but I was playing with my toys!
Some views from the trail:
I had to remind myself a couple of times to be cautious. Especially solo. To take the safe route, not the adventurous one. I didn't see anyone else on the trail until about half way back on my return trip. As I mentioned, this is a rocky trail, and a twisted ankle would have sucked pretty bad. I did lose the trail for a minute crossing a rocky downhill runoff, but quickly found it again.
Here are a few shots of the destination:
A good place to eat lunch:
I watched about 6 hawks circling for quite a while, but didn't manage to get any pics or video. Too mesmerized to move until it was too late!
Some nice views of the Tennessee River:
Everybody enjoy your spring! The weather is finally nice here, and I can't wait to keep getting back out into it.
