Fiery Gizzard

Hike Name: Fiery Gizzard Location: southeast TN Length: 12.5 Submitted by: Steve Armstrong Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Tennessee trail reviews Tennessee national parks Tennessee state parks
For more trail descriptions and topo maps, try a Free Trial Offer from Trails.com

Description
I feel this trail is one of the most diverse and beautiful trails I have ever hiked. The section which starts at the Grundy Forrest natural area picnic shelter and climbs the plauteu to Raven point is, I feel, one of the most rugged and difficult trails I have ever hiked. The terrain in the gorge is steep and extremely rocky. You cover millions of rocks and they all seem to move as you stop on them, making the footing precarious. However the scenery and pristine condition of the area is worth the effort.

The section from Raven Point, a very beautiful over look,to Foster falls is a completely different sort of experience. A nearly all of this section is on the easy terrain and gentle slopes on top of the Cumberland Plateau. An exception to this is the small section which crosses Laurel Branch Gorge. The trail here drops precipitously into this 200' deep tributary of the Little Gizzard Creek and climbs very steeply out after fording the rocky stream.

The hike incompasses water falls, swimming holes, over looks and a really nice camping area. I will do this hike many times, as it is always a challenge and you see more new things everytime you go. The old still, now inoperable, at mile 6.6 is really a treat to explore with many old artifacts of the trade in place. The trail was named for Davey Crocketts experience of taking meat with the local indians and during a time of dinning on a roasted turkey burned his tongue on a hot gizzard. Or so ledgend tells it. Be sure to hike this train and others of equal beauty in this area. All are very lightly used. This area is I feel the best hiking and backpacking in the southeastern US.
Steve
allsport@net-master.net

Directions to Hike
Located in the South Cumberland Recreation Area, near Monteagle, Tennessee. Located between Monteagle and Tracy city just 3 miles from Interstate 24. Guided hikes are provided by the park staff for those who wish.

Contact Information
Contact South Cumberland Recreation Area, Rt 1 box 2196
Monteagle, TN 37365
615-924-2980

submit a new trail review

---

About Our Reviews

Many people ask us to recommend a place to go hiking. Instead of us deciding what places are best, we let the backpacking community help out. The reviews on budget-travels-tips.com have been submitted by our viewers. Some reviews are positive and some are negative. If you don't agree with a review, feel free to submit your own trail review.