Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Hike Report- Cumberland Trail Rock Mining Reconnaissance

From the Blog of Tennessee Trails Association- Murfreesboro Chapter... www.ttamurfreesboro.blogspot.com


There was an impromptu scouting hike on Saturday to the Soddy Creek Segment of the Cumberland Trail. Our mission was to hike the section of the CT where rock mining is known to be underway and to find any evidence of new rock harvesting in the area. Led by Martin McCullough there were seven hikers on the trip: Martin, Nabil Wakid, Rad Smith, James Smith, MaryBelle Ginanni and Tony & Millette Jones. We began where the trail crosses Hotwater Rd. and ended our trip at the site of the rock mining operation, about 6 miles or so including some road walking.

The good news is that there was no "new" rock mining occuring however we noted the appearance of blue tape and blue flags at least 100 yards (possibly more) from the main rock mining site. Martin informed us this is how the rock miners mark what they plan to destroy...er...harvest next. All I can say about the trip is that for the first 5 miles it was a great day; good company, lively conversation and beautiful scenery. I'll let you view the slideshow yourselves to draw conclusions about the final leg of our journey. We will be leading a scheduled hike to this spot in the near future and I hope everyone will make time to join us on that trip.

Slideshow with pix by Nabil Wakid and Millette Jones...http://picasaweb.google.com/tta.boro/CTSoddySegment608/photo#s5215920790523726418

or just view the pix...http://picasaweb.google.com/tta.boro/CTSoddySegment608

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