For the second year now we're planning multiple excursion style rides departing from home base at Golden Mountain Park and venturing out through some of the most beautiful parts around in East Tennessee. If you missed it last year you'll want to sign up early upon arrival this year (Merchandise Tent) to reserve your spot. Groups are limited but we'll try our best to accommodate everyone. You can choose to ride either Friday or Saturday, and each excursion will be approximately 4-5 hours. Both destinations will be traveled to on each day. 1. Greeter Falls 2. Coke Ovens Park & Musuem. More details will follow....
Greeter Falls
A nice 1.8 mile approximate semi-loop takes in Greeter Falls, Boardtree Falls and Blue Hole with 150’ elevation change, nearby Altamont, Tennessee. This trail combination features Upper and Lower Greeter Falls and Boardtree Falls and a walk to one of the best views in the natural area. Greeter Falls was named for the Greeter Family, who sold the land to the state to add to the state natural area. The amphitheater of Greeter Falls is unusual, with a thick sandstone layer on top of a more crumbly limestone layer. Most waterfalls on the plateau spill over hard sandstone that caps layers of softer sandstone or shale. A side trail leads to Blue Hole, a great swimming hole on a hot day. Another unique feature of this waterfall is the spiral staircase that leads to the swimming hole. Some portions of the trail around Greeter Falls are steep and require the use of stairs and a good pair of shoes.
Coke Ovens Park & Musuem
The Sequatchie Valley Historical Association, formed in 1984, set a goal to build an exact full size replica of the original coal company store "Commissary". The original "Commissary" building was constructed in 1902 by the Douglas Coal and Coke Company and was torn down after 1927 when the Chattanooga Iron and Coal Company bankrupted. Historical members researched photographs and maps to locate the original four corners of the "Commissary". The building measured 92' long and 46' wide, and including the observation copula was three stories tall. The reconstruction began in 1987 with ground-breaking ceremonies held at the park.The new "Commissary" sits exactly where the old building originally existed .
The museum currently houses the largest collection of regional historic coal mining photographs in the state of Tennessee. The Museum's mission is to preserve Dunlap's cultural resources and educate local citizens and visitors that our coal heritage was important to Dunlap and region.
Source and more info; http://www.cokeovens.com/
If you have not yet registered please do so today and get there early. See you at Dixie Run!