Cherokee Hiking Club
198 Crews Drive, Benton, TN 37307

Rhododendrum Trail Dayhike
Sunday, May 18, 2008

Brief Description:  This is a lovely, newly built 1.2 mile trail extending from the Thunder Rock/Ocoee Powerhouse #3 and follows the Ocoee coming out at the picnic area just below the Ocoee Whitewater Center.  It is a very easy, (handicap accessible) walk with a beautiful section of board walk that juts out over the river where you can halt and gander at rafters and kayakers floating by.

Length:  2.5 miles

Difficulty Rating: Easy

Elevation Gain: minimal

        Hike Leader:  Jane Bohannon, 745-9534 or cell 381-8388; bohannon@usit.net

        Trail Map

        Elevation Profile of the Trail

        Trailhead Access Map

        Other Useful Links:      

Directions to the Trailhead:   Athens and Etowah area hikers meet in Bi-Lo parking lot at Etowah @ 1:30 PM. Hikers in the Cleveland area meet at Ocoee Hardee’s @ 1:45 PM and car pool from there. I will meet you at the trailhead @ 2:30 PM.  Directions:  Your turn off of Hwy 64 will be the Thunder Rock Campground sign, which directs you across a bridge.   After crossing the bridge you will see the trailhead sign on the left.  There is a small parking lot at the trailhead and also a small parking area near the Thunder Rock Campground entrance which is just across the gravel road.

Trail Description: This is a lovely, newly built 1.2 mile trail extending from the Thunder Rock/Ocoee Powerhouse #3 and follows the Ocoee coming out at the picnic area just below the Ocoee Whitewater Center.  It is a very easy, (handicap accessible) walk with a beautiful section of board walk that juts out over the river where you can halt and gander at rafters and kayakers floating by.

Post Trip Report: Six hikers chanced the weather forecast and hiked in light rain to the trail’s end, then pulled off rain gear and enjoyed a dry hike back to the trailhead.  Several mountain laurel and a few white rhododendron were blooming.  The crimson bloom of sweet shrub was also seen.  Hikers were:  Mary Heather West, Mae Miles, Sandra Corn, Jane Bohannon, Terry McCoy & Deb Boyd.

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