This is a new hike for us, and is part of the Cumberland Trail in Prentice Cooper. The Mullens Cove Loop is a 10 mile hike over mostly level terrain. We will have great views from Snoopers Rock after veiwing the Indian Rock House. Bring plenty of water for a full day. Hike is rated moderate to strenous due to length. We will depart Trinity Church on Hwy 127 at 7am. Call Don Taylor at 615-973-1814 for additional info. We plan to arrive in Prentice Cooper around 9am CT, if anyone wants to meet us at trailhead. Gas cost is $9.

National Trails Day events at Cumberland Mountain State Park:
Registration will be between 7:30 and 8:00 AM on the restaurant patio.  You can stop by the park’s wildlife booth while waiting for the hikes to begin at 8 AM.  The Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park will be selling bottles of water and snacks to take on your hike.   We will have various levels of hikes from an easy 2 miles to a moderate 8 miles.  Please bring water and snacks for the trail or buy them at the Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park booth.  Wear sturdy athletic shoes or hiking boots and clothing appropriate for the weather including a rain jacket or poncho in case of rain. 
The four hikes to choose from are:
A 2 mile loop on Byrd Creek trail:  The hike is an easy loop around the banks of Byrd Creek enjoying a diverse forest, Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron along the way. 
A 3 mile loop on Pioneer Short Loop and Byrd Lake trails:  The hike is a fairly level trail that begins on Byrd Lake Trail crossing over the park’s old stone dam before continuing on a pleasant, easy walk around Byrd Lake. The hike will continue on Pioneer Short Loop which follows one of Byrd Lake’s feeder streams before crossing on a suspension bridge and returning along the other side of the lake. 
A 5 mile loop on Pioneer Short Loop with Pioneer Loop, Moderate:  This hike begins fairly level on the Pioneer Short Loop which follows one of Byrd Lake’s feeder streams before continuing on Pioneer Loop along upper Byrd Creek to Old Mail Road.  There are a couple of short steep stream crossings.  After crossing a stone bridge the hike returns along upper Byrd Creek through fat man’s squeeze.  The hike continues along the creek lined with Mountain Laurel & Rhododendron.  A short segment continues in the woods along the golf course before crossing a suspension bridge for your return. 
An 8 mile loop on Cumberland Plateau Trail & Overnight Trail, Moderate; this hike will begin on the Cumberland Plateau Trail which loops through a diverse forest downstream from the dam along Byrd Creek.  It continues on Byrd Creek trail crossing over the Boy Scout bridge before intersecting with the Overnight trail. The Overnight Trail winds through the hills flanking Three-mile Creek and a diverse forest before returning back on the Cumberland Plateau Trail. 
For more information contact Cheryl Heckler by e-mail at [email protected] or at 931-456-6437.

National Trails Day events at Cumberland Mountain State Park:
Registration will be between 7:30 and 8:00 AM on the restaurant patio.  You can stop by the park’s wildlife booth while waiting for the hikes to begin at 8 AM.  The Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park will be selling bottles of water and snacks to take on your hike.   We will have various levels of hikes from an easy 2 miles to a moderate 8 miles.  Please bring water and snacks for the trail or buy them at the Friends of Cumberland Mountain State Park booth.  Wear sturdy athletic shoes or hiking boots and clothing appropriate for the weather including a rain jacket or poncho in case of rain. 
The four hikes to choose from are:
A 2 mile loop on Byrd Creek trail:  The hike is an easy loop around the banks of Byrd Creek enjoying a diverse forest, Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron along the way. 
A 3 mile loop on Pioneer Short Loop and Byrd Lake trails:  The hike is a fairly level trail that begins on Byrd Lake Trail crossing over the park’s old stone dam before continuing on a pleasant, easy walk around Byrd Lake. The hike will continue on Pioneer Short Loop which follows one of Byrd Lake’s feeder streams before crossing on a suspension bridge and returning along the other side of the lake. 
A 5 mile loop on Pioneer Short Loop with Pioneer Loop, Moderate:  This hike begins fairly level on the Pioneer Short Loop which follows one of Byrd Lake’s feeder streams before continuing on Pioneer Loop along upper Byrd Creek to Old Mail Road.  There are a couple of short steep stream crossings.  After crossing a stone bridge the hike returns along upper Byrd Creek through fat man’s squeeze.  The hike continues along the creek lined with Mountain Laurel & Rhododendron.  A short segment continues in the woods along the golf course before crossing a suspension bridge for your return. 
An 8 mile loop on Cumberland Plateau Trail & Overnight Trail, Moderate; this hike will begin on the Cumberland Plateau Trail which loops through a diverse forest downstream from the dam along Byrd Creek.  It continues on Byrd Creek trail crossing over the Boy Scout bridge before intersecting with the Overnight trail. The Overnight Trail winds through the hills flanking Three-mile Creek and a diverse forest before returning back on the Cumberland Plateau Trail. 
For more information contact Cheryl Heckler by e-mail at [email protected] or at 931-456-6437.

Monday, June 4 Depart 7 a.m.  Bring water, snacks and lunch.  Hike Middle Prong Trail in Tremont section to Indian Flat Falls.  It is a moderate 7.6 mile in and out hike with a 1148’ elevation gain.  The Middle Prong Trail rises gently on a wide, packed gravel path beside Lynn Camp Prong to Lynn Camp Prong Falls, which pour down a long, sloping rock slab.  There are equally scenic cascades along the way.  We may be lucky and see the vine-draped canopy and columns of rhododendron in bloom.  The Indian Flat Fall is comprised of 4 medium-size drops accessible by an unmarked spur off the Middle Prong Trail. Each features an enclosed pool ideal for swimming, wading, and finding salamanders. Visitors will enjoy light crowds, mild grades, and miles of stream access on the hike to Indian Flats Falls.  We have reservations in Guest House Inn in Pigeon Forge. After eating at a restaurant in the area we will park at Surgarlands Visitor Center for our 7:30 p.m. shuttle ride to see the Synchronizing Fireflies.

Tuesday, June 5 we will Baskins Creek Falls before departing back for Crossville stopping for lunch at a restaurant on the way.  Baskins Creek Falls Trail is an easy 3 mile in and out hike with a total elevation gain of 500’ to the falls.  At the parking area we can explore Bales cabin and 2 cemeteries on our way to the falls. Contact Cheryl Heckler for more information [email protected] or 456-6437

Monday, June 4 Depart 7 a.m.  Bring water, snacks and lunch.  Hike Middle Prong Trail in Tremont section to Indian Flat Falls.  It is a moderate 7.6 mile in and out hike with a 1148’ elevation gain.  The Middle Prong Trail rises gently on a wide, packed gravel path beside Lynn Camp Prong to Lynn Camp Prong Falls, which pour down a long, sloping rock slab.  There are equally scenic cascades along the way.  We may be lucky and see the vine-draped canopy and columns of rhododendron in bloom.  The Indian Flat Fall is comprised of 4 medium-size drops accessible by an unmarked spur off the Middle Prong Trail. Each features an enclosed pool ideal for swimming, wading, and finding salamanders. Visitors will enjoy light crowds, mild grades, and miles of stream access on the hike to Indian Flats Falls.  We have reservations in Guest House Inn in Pigeon Forge. After eating at a restaurant in the area we will park at Surgarlands Visitor Center for our 7:30 p.m. shuttle ride to see the Synchronizing Fireflies.

Tuesday, June 5 we will Baskins Creek Falls before departing back for Crossville stopping for lunch at a restaurant on the way.  Baskins Creek Falls Trail is an easy 3 mile in and out hike with a total elevation gain of 500’ to the falls.  At the parking area we can explore Bales cabin and 2 cemeteries on our way to the falls. Contact Cheryl Heckler for more information [email protected] or 456-6437

The John Litton loop is about a 6 mile long hike with some small waterfalls and some rock formations along the way. The trail is named for John Litton who settled in the area around 1900 and his dwelling and outbuildings are still standing.  The hike is rated moderate. Depart from behind the Cracker Barrel at 8 am CT. For more information and to register, contact Howard Owens at 931-484-1328 or [email protected]

The John Litton loop is about a 6 mile long hike with some small waterfalls and some rock formations along the way. The trail is named for John Litton who settled in the area around 1900 and his dwelling and outbuildings are still standing.  The hike is rated moderate. Depart from behind the Cracker Barrel at 8 am CT. For more information and to register, contact Howard Owens at 931-484-1328 or [email protected]

This is a new hike for us, and is part of the Cumberland Trail in Prentice Cooper. The Mullens Cove Loop is a 10 mile hike over mostly level terrain. We will have great views from Snoopers Rock after veiwing the Indian Rock House. Bring plenty of water for a full day. Hike is rated moderate to strenous due to length. We will depart Trinity Church on Hwy 127 at 7am. Call Don Taylor at 615-973-1814 for additional info. We plan to arrive in Prentice Cooper around 9am CT, if anyone wants to meet us at trailhead. Gas cost is $9. Photos: Cheryl, Wayne