Whigg Meadow is surely one of the most breathtaking spots on the Benton MacKaye trail.  After climbing 500 feet on a abandoned road which is now the Benton MacKaye trail, we emerge from the woods to an immense open field which provides almost 360 degree views in every direction.  Wildflowers should be plentiful at the 4,500 - 5,000 elevation in which we will be hiking.  After a rest, we will return via the same trail and proceed to the Harris's for a cookout and meeting.

 

This is a joint hike of the Hiwassee and Cherokee Hiking Clubs.  Meet at Comcast ready to leave at 8 a.m. or at Hardees in Ocoee at 7:45 a.m (back of the restaurant in the overflow parking lot).  We will regroup at Hardees in Tellico Plains at 8:45.  The trail head is on the Cherohala Skyway just past North Carolina mile marker 3 at Mud Gap.  Hike is rated easy due the fact that it is 3 miles roundtrip but it does have rocky footing and most of the elevation is gained in the first mile.

 

Brenda and Rick Harris have invited us to their home for a meeting/grillout following the hike, starting at 2PM. Members of both the Cherokee and Hiwassee Hiking Clubs are welcome to the Harris's home. Brenda and Rick will provide burgers, dogs, buns, fixins, and chips along with silverware, plates, and glasses.  Guests are asked to bring something to share - dessert, salad, side dish of whatever.  Brenda will meet us before the hike at the overlook just past  mile post 6 on the Cherohala around 9 a.m. to pick up food that needs to be heated, kept warm or cold.

 

The directions to the Harris's on the return is to turn off on Miller Church Road, between  mile post 10 and 9 on the Cherohala.  Go about 1/4 mile to a "T" intersection and turn left.  Pass the church and proceed to the next right turn which is Shaw Mountain Road.  Go about a mile up the hill to the mail boxes for 541 and 533 (Harris's) and turn right onto a gravel road. Follow that road straight ahead (do not take a left where the road splits) and you will see their driveway marked with 533.

 

Leaders:  Effaleda and Bob Lee, 423-568-2501, cell 423-507-5582

Hostess: Brenda Harris 423-253-6358 home or 513-260-1184 cell, or brendatharris@aol.com

 

POST HIKE REPORT: 13 Cherokee Hiking Club members (5 with dual membership with the Hiwassee Hiking Club) and three visitors plus Samson, a St. Bernard, enjoyed a beautiful hike to Whigg Meadow.  The weather was sunny but unseasonably cool with a brisk north wind blowing.  Spring flowers were in abundance especially the bluets on the meadow.  Leon Bates, our expert plant identifier, helped us identify the flora and fauna.  On our return drive down the mountain, we made a brief stop at Eagle Gap to locate pink Lady Slippers near the Flats Mountain trialhead and counted approximately 20 plants in bloom.

 

Following the hike, the Harris's hosted a monthly meeting/grillout at their mountain home.  After the club meeting, everyone enjoyed  a nice meal of burgers, hotdogs, and delicious side dishes.

Cherokee Hiking Club Minutes
Of the May Monthly Meeting on May 8, 2010
Brenda and Rick Harris’s Home 

The monthly meeting of the Cherokee Hiking Club was held on May 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m., following the Whigg Meadow Hike.  We would like to thank Brenda and Rick Harris for hosting the meeting at their home in Tellico.  Sixteen members attended.  We would also like to welcome Josh and Jessica Falls and Elaine Allman, who joined the club at this event.

Following a delicious meal of grilled burgers and hot dogs, along with potluck items, President Randy Morris called the business meeting to order at 2:25 p.m.  Minutes of the previous meeting were read by Secretary Jane Bohannon and were approved as read.  Treasurer Ann Gray reported the current balance. 

Old business:  Rick Harris discussed the possibility of treating hemlocks on the club’s adopted section of the John Muir Trail.  He thinks we will not be allowed to use predatory beetles, but will eventually be allowed to use the chemical imidacloprid.  We also thank Rick for editing the ”Release of Liability/Hike Sign in” form so club members can indicate with a check mark their permission for  their photos to be displayed on the club website and the club’s Facebook page. 

New business:  In response to a member regarding shuttle service for hikers, Rick informed the membership that the BMTA provides shuttle service routinely upon request.  (For more information, go to http://BMTA.org).  No one responded to the request for assuming an alternate representative to the SEFTC Conference.  

Hikes completed:  The following completed hikes were discussed:  the Alabama Wildflower Society hike, the Cohutta expedition (discussed by the Ristoms), the Three Forks to Springer Mountain hike, the Indian Boundary Loop hike, the John Muir Cleanup, and the Nell’s Cabin Hike.  The latter was regarded as fun, and the movie “Nell”, shown at the Harris’s home after the hike, was much appreciated.   

Upcoming hikes:  The following hikes are on schedule prior to the June 10 meeting:  Starr Mountain Hike, the CSCC Nature Trail, and the Urban Loop Hike at the Greenway and Tinsley Park.  Daily hikes are also scheduled at the SEFTC Conference on May 20-23 at Monteagle.  On National Trails Day, taking place on June 5, the hikes will take place near the Whitewater Center. 

Next meeting:  The next monthly meeting will be picnic style at Fletcher Park in Cleveland at 6:30 p.m. Thursday June 10.  Attendees should bring a potluck item to share.  Drinks, ice, and tableware will be furnished by the club.  There are now two shelters that have been reserved.  Ann Gray will arrive early to hold a table. 

Directions:  Fletcher Park is located at 1575 Tennessee Nursery Road, NW.  Going south on Keith Street in Cleveland, turn right onto Harrison Pike.  Take Harrison Pike to Tennessee Nursery Road.  Turn right, and then go approximately one mile; the park is on the left. 

The meeting was adjourned at 2:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Jane Bohannon, Secretary