Brief Description:
We will hike a portion
of the Perimeter Trail through beautiful Shakerag Hollow, one of the
best wildflower hikes in the Southeast. Then we will traverse the spur
trail out to Piney Point and complete a loop just off the newly
reconstructed golf course—taking
advantage of the vistas from Green’s
View and Beckwith Point. Most of this hike is fairly easy, but we will
have a
short steep climb out of a gorge and some other up and down
segments; after all, we will be just off the edge of the western side of Monteagle Mountain on the campus of the University of the South at
Sewanee. Also, portions are very rocky, so good hiking boots are
recommended. Hopefully, we will catch the wildflowers in spectacular
form, but unfortunately I have a knack of missing the timing of the
wildflower blooms.
Length:
6 miles
Difficulty Rating:
Moderate to Strenuous
Hike Leader:
Randy Morris, 423-650-0485. Call
no later than 8 p.m. Friday, March 22 for meeting place and time.
Other Useful Links: Trail.com
site
Wildflower pictures from Shakerag Hollow
Post Trip Report:
Six hikers made the trek
to the University of the South at Sewanee to enjoy a hike on a nice
spring day. Although the late
spring caused us to be on the front end of the wildflower season, we
were treated to several blooms along Shakerag Hollow—one of the
premier wildflower areas
in the South. We enjoyed blooms such as bloodroot, rue anemone,
Dutchman’s breeches and trilliums, and imagined the show which will
follow in a few days when the countless plants coming up mature. We also
enjoyed some nice streams, small waterfalls and great views looking west
off the summit of the mountain. Half of our group did a 3.6 mile loop
and headed off to a local restaurant, while the other half added two
extra miles and lunched on the rocks at Piney Point. At the point we
were treated to fantastic views, a nice breeze and three turkey vultures
soaring effortlessly over our heads. I don’t know if they were checking
out our food or us! Enjoying the day were club members James Anderson,
Ann Gray, Kenneth Johnson, Randy Morris (hike leader), and Karen Young
as well as guest Lauren Long.
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