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Cumberland Trail State Park

October 6, 2019 - October 12, 2019

Trip Navigation

Volunteers will be building trail in moderate to steep terrain to extend the footpath of the Cumberland Trail in East Tennessee. The Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail (CTSST) is a backcountry hiking trail that extends from a northern terminus at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park across eleven Tennessee counties along the Cumberland Plateau, to a southern terminus at Signal Point, part of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. Of 322+ planned miles of trail, over 215 miles are currently open for public use. When complete, the trail will connect three national Parks, three Tennessee State Parks, five State Natural Areas, multiple Wildlife and Resource Management areas, and a Tennessee State Forest. The Cumberland Trail will be Tennessee’s contribution to the Great Eastern Trail, which will cross nine states and 1,800 miles, extending from Alabama to New York. Volunteers will use hand tools to prepare trail thread, clear brush and roots, and possibly construct steps and stream crossings.

Host

Cumberland Trail Conference

Accommodations

Cabin/Lodge

Hiking/Access

Day hiking up to 4 miles each day

Project Rating

Moderate

Minimum Volunteer Age

18

Maximum Group Size

15

Area and Attractions

The Cumberland Trail approximately parallels the eastern escarpment of the Cumberland Plateau, leading hikers along ridges with overlooks, across streams and along bluff lines, following a generally southwest-to-northeast route. The climate is moderate and the terrain in places is steep and rocky but in others it's gentle and rolling. The Plateau boosts a rich diversity of flowering plants, ferns, and wildlife habitat. A hike on the Black Mountain segment of the Cumberland Trail, just a few miles south of our work site, will lead hikers to views of Grassy Cove, a designated National Natural Landmark, and to close-up observation of the unique geology that forms the Plateau. You'll have the chance to tour the historic Cumberland Homesteads, a WPA project that produced architecture incorporating native rock and lumber to provide homes for farming families following the Great Depression.

Accommodations Description

Volunteers will stay indoors at Eden Ridge Missionary Retreat which provides bunk bed accommodations (2 rooms with beds for 4 in each). Tent space is available on the grounds of Eden Ridge if any volunteers prefer to sleep outdoors. The indoor space includes a large common area and has space for cots, which the Cumberland Trail Conference can provide if the group is large. Volunteers should bring their own sleeping bags or linens for a twin sized bed and personal gear.

Travel

Airport pickup provided from McGhee Tyson Airport. Airport pickup and dropoff times will be sent to registrants when the trip is confirmed.

Location

Cumberland Trail State Park
409 Thurman Ave, Crossville, TN 38555 United States
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