4.9 Segment of the Soddy Gorge on the Cumberland Trail

After a couple of weeks off due to the snowy weather, we had a revved up and ready 17 turn out to follow Don Deakins from the Cumberland Trail Volunteers on this portion of the Soddy Gorge. We shuttled over to start the trail on the newly constructed trailhead at Mobray Road. We were soon in the woods hiking on a trail covered with soft pine needles (Trish loved it!) Before you could say Cumberland Trail (almost) we were on the top of the ridge where the power lines crossed which provided a nice view of Soddy-Daisy area and the valley below.

Delving further into the woods, we crossed a rocky area near Mikel Creek that even in winter is a very scenic spot. We crossed the Creek, turning right and followed it for a distance and then found ourselves passing through the rocks at the amazing Little Indian Stone Door. Once through, there is a 'rock house' area to the left.

This, alone, is reason enough to work this portion of the Soddy Segment into your must-do hikes!

We continued along a ridge with tantalizing brow views to the right and enjoyed huge rock formations all along the trail on our left.

This view of a rock literally split by the life force of a tree is one of the reasons hikers love to get out and view nature.

A cascade of Partridge Berries growing on these rocks!








Descending this area, we found ourselves climbing up to Clemmons Point to follow the ridge where we encountered remnants of the coal minining industry so prevalent in this area from years gone by. We were actually on top of an old shale pile for a short distance with the mine cut off to our left.

Again, we descended this ridge to find ourselves hopping across a passage of Little Soddy Creek. Across the creek, there were some interesting foundations of the mining industry still visible, inviting exploration on another day. We ascended the nicely placed rocks to find the kiosk placed at the end where we found ourselves at Hotwater Road. Debbie, Wayne, and maybe a couple of others, backtracked and crossed Little Soddy to head up the ridge on that bend to wait on vehicles to pick them up on their way down to Mobray Road.

A very nice 4.9 mile hike with some fantastic folks! Most of us ended the morning with lunch at Rafael's..not exactly health food, but, hey, ya gotta have some kind of vice! The Trail Chronicler has decided that for this group..it's food!

Soddy Gorge on October 20th...9 Miles or Bust!

The morning was a bit overcast as 24 of us met at Jones Gap Rd. off Hwy #111 to figure out the shuttle to the trailhead. Don Deakins tackled the job and eventually we followed like lemmings to the end spot off the highway, left a few vehicles, then headed over to Hot Water Road where the trailhead began. By now, the clouds were gone and the blue sky overhead boded well for our day. Soon, a long line of bobbing heads undulated along the trail. The rain from the night left the ground dampened, but also the woods smelled fresh as we weaved along the ridge that took us up and then down a nice set of rocky steps and on around the mountainside. As a foretaste of what we would see over and over again, we came out at a huge rock outcropping, so typical along the Cumberland, and continued on.

The woods didn't shout their beauty, the colors did all the bragging..muted oranges, shades of green, sweet yellows, and bursts of crimson adorned our views all the way. By the time we finally got to Deep Creek, we were lulled into a sense of ease. But, here we soon braced for a tricky climb down the slippery rocks. As usual, the guys in our group jumped in to make sure the ladies made it down safely. (Don't we have some nice guys in our group?!) We took our time and then we were on the other side for a huff and puff climb up out of the gorge. Our reward was a another spectacular rock outcropping that extended all along the ridge with beautifully formed ledges that begged for exploration. We passed the coal shaft where the posts were stiff visible and the darkness yawned.

After another careful climb down into Soddy Gorge, there was another scramble up to the top of the ridge with more gorgeous outcroppings. Along the way, the Chronicler spied mysterious dark openings in the rocks, knotty growths attached to trees like nubby appendages, and intricate webs designed by spiders seeking prey...and all with wonderful hiking buddies!

Lunchtime was delayed a bit when it became obvious we weren't going to get to the assigned spot until well after folks needed to eat, so a few of us just stopped at an inviting spot to eat while the others who were already ahead continued on and ate lunch where they were. Alas, we were never rejoined until the end of the trail. But what a fantastic day! 9 moderate to strenuous miles, but a great hiking day!