So we’ve reached April. It is spring time. It is time for the TennGreen Hike-a-Thon. I’m registered and ready to hit the trails. I’ll be sharing adventures and raising both awareness and funds for their conservation efforts across the state. This will be my fifth Hike-a-Thon, and hopefully my best.
So I registered on March 28 here in Knoxville. I met Steve Walsh who works in development for TennGreen. It was delightful to get to talk and share stories about hiking. Nicole Crombie, a friend and fellow Hike-a-Thoner, staffed the table for a bit sharing our excitement about the event. We got a couple of people registered as well. I got my t-shirt for this year—a standard piece of gear that will not leave my pack except for pics.
I began my Hike-a-Thon this year with a Pink Moon Hike at Seven Islands State Birding Park. Ranger Stephanie led this hike. We started by going down the Island Loop trail and finding some wildflowers that she would be pointing out on another hike later that week. We stopped and listened to the variety of frog songs (yes, they do make a sort of music.). We paused on the bridge to watch the moon rise.
We also had the added bonus of a nice pass of the International Space Station (ISS) visible from out location. We observed Venus, Jupiter, and constellations, especially Orion which was high in the southwest. Quite the night hike!
Thursday afforded me another chance to visit Seven Islands. This time I took the Upper Inland Loop Trail to begin. I stopped to listen to a song sparrow singing in a branch. There were tree swallows slicing through the sky—some were checking out nesting boxes. In the slough by the Island Leep Trail there was a salamander that was just floating beneath the surface, but it seemed to find it’s energy to escape when I tried to take its picture. A rat snake crossed the ADA path on my way back up the hill. A beautiful day to be out and about.
Friday found me on one of my favorite trails in the Urban Wilderness. I parked at Mead’s Quarry and headed up Imery’s Trail where I turned onto the Ross Marble Quarry Trail. I slowed to see the Chervil and Anise that was blooming. At one point several male cardinals were all flying after each other; looked like they were fighting to see which cardinal might be the next Pope.
But the best part of this trail is Burnett Ridge. I’ve got a couple of trees just down from the top of the ridge where I’ve often strung up the hammock and rested. Today’s hike could have been more restful without the loud noise of someone who was enthralled by his engine and lack of mufflers. Such is life. It’s not the deep woods, but it’s good woods. I always manage to get smiles from bikers and hikers who were not expecting to see someone hanging out up there.
On Saturday I hiked with the Pathfinders over on Cherokee Bluff. We were ably led by Sally who had studied the history of the area and brought pictures and stories. Some were from Civil War era when the bluff was a strategic high point in the Union defenses. It’s easy to see looking down on the city why it was valuable ground.
We also learned about the Rose family and their gardens and composting and unique ways of protecting this area. We went down to Rose Lake where Sally showed us pics of Mr. Rose skating. The turtles on this day were sunning themselves on some logs and not worried about ice.
Then we went down farther where we came to the Cherokee Bluff Cave. This cave has a history. It was actually a stop on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. In fact, much of the defense of this bluff was the responsibility of a unit that was formed from freed formerly enslaved men.
I was sorry to see graffiti on the rocks at the entrance. I was also wondering about a group of young men who passed us with their headlamps on their heads—obviously going into the cave even though White-Nose Syndrome is affecting the bats in our area.
We made our way back to the top and headed across the road and hike up to the High Point Military Park. This was the very top of the ridges on this side of the river. There are historical markers and interpretative signs along the way explaining the history and structure of the site. We enjoyed a nice picnic lunch on top.
I was grateful to learn of the support that the Pathfinders will be offering on my Hike-a-Thon this year. Wonderful group of people.
Sunday started with a downpour. We’ve been needing rain and we certainly can’t complain. Morning meetings were moist to say the least. But the sun came out and the afternoon was bright.
I headed out to Seven Islands again (It’s the closest State Park to my address.). I stopped at the garden to greet Ranger Stephanie was was weeding. Went down Kelly Lane towards the Maple Leaf Barn. Saw a hillside of Fire Pink, a bright wildflower. Then I saw some Devil’s Dipstick—yes, that’s a great name, isn’t it? A large heron flew across the French Broad close to the trail. Geese honked often. It was another lovely day to be out and enjoying nature.
There will be more stories to come. I’ve got some adventures planned. I’ll be enjoying several state parks. I’ll get up to the Smokies and probably the Big South Fork along the way. I hope you enjoy these tales from the trails. If you’re led to support my fifth Hike-a-Thon, thanks in advance.
https://campaigns.tenngreen.org/event/hike-a-thon2026/account/2304173/
Character in the Making 