One of the hikes offered at the SEFTC conference was a 10 mile walk on the Cumberland Trail. It was judt 3 of us going. Tony Hook, a Cumberland Trail Association employee was leading through a section he maintains. The Cumberland Trail which runs from the Chattanooga area to Kentucky is complete in some sections but there are major gaps still. This section followed some old roads but was for the most park, new trail. Given all the sandstone in the area, it is difficult building trails here. Much rock work is needed. There are numerous rock steps throughout this section.
Above is our lunch stop. The water was really flowing due to some recent rains. I am told kayaks run this waterfall.
Above we have a fossil in the sandstone. Sedimentary rock was formed in layers. Many of these layers can be broken apart and contain fossils. Tony said one of the most common fossils is that of Club Moss, an eighty foot high plant with palm leaves at the top. Just a bit taller than today's Club Moss.
Check out this Hen of the Woods
This bridge as well another on the outing are fiberglass with treated wood tread way. They can be bought as kits. The logistics of getting the materials to the site are difficult. Usually the materially can be hauled by some type vehicle close to the site but from there a zip line has to be built the get the material creek side. A scaffold bridge is build and the fiberglass bridge is laid on top. The butts are usually concrete secured by rebar to the rock.
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