Read more about the run at Trails.com:  Trails.com Bear Creek description

Here is Richard running the rapids:

Here are some pictures:

Getting ready:

Ready to launch:

On the creek:

Running the rapids:

Map of the kayak trip:

The Dismals Canyon:

read more about it at: Dismals article

dinner at Rigatonni’s:

John, Richard, Ian and Randy left Savannah at noon on Thursday and drove through Florence, Decatur, Huntsville, Chattanooga, and Cleveland to a cabin Richard reserved on the Ocoee River near Copperhill, Tennessee, from Cuddle Up Cabin Rentals: http://www.cuddleupcabinrentals.com/

We rode three trails on Friday including one on top of Chilhowee Mt. to Benton Falls, and the Tanasi Trails at the Ocoee Whitewater Center on Saturday http://www.tennesseeoverhill.com/bikingtrails.asp.  

After the ride Saturday we drove up to Tellico Plains and up the Tellico River to Bald River Falls.  http://www.tnvacation.com/vendors/bald_river_falls/

We grilled steaks and chicken at the cabin Thursday and Friday nights, but had a great dinner Saturday night at Christy Lee’s Courtyard Grille in Blue Ridge, Georgia. http://www.christylees.com/index.html  We drove back Sunday morning and got back it time to catch a bit of the deluge when we got to Iuka.  We really felt guilty about missing all the rain and tornado warnings at home while we were gone. 

Here are some pictures:

First and Second days:

Days two and three:

Richard’s pictures:

Here is the map of our route.  I left out part of the detour off the property at the bottom right when we took the wrong turn, and the under the bluff trail in Devil’s Hollow that Richard took by himself to his regret:

Here are some pictures and links to more information.

http://schuffertstudios.com/catalog/Misc/CaneCreekPreserve.pdf

http://www.etenum.com/AGWiki/index.php/Cane_Creek_Canyon_Nature_Preserve

We did not have time to explore even half the trails and waterfalls so we will definitely be going back.  It would be a great place for a camping trip, but Richard found out that they do not allow campfires and thinks he could not live without one.

View Full Album

Mike Sherrill and his wife Mitzi joined John, Richard and Harrison for a 9.5 mile ride to the SCH waterfalls, Chalybeate Spring, the WRP trail, the South Horse Creek Trail and part of the North Horse Creek Trail this afternoon.

With the temperature still below 30 degrees, John, Henry, Richard, and Harrison made a 60 mile road trip to the waterfalls on tributaries of Dry Creek and to Factory Hollow.  We had a few difficult stream crossings, and slid around a bit on the ice, but no injuries or damages.

the damage caused by fourwheelers and four wheel drive vehicles riding off-road at Rainbow Falls was an unpleasant site.  It is too bad that an area like this is not better protected.

Richard’s challenge to SCHIMBA members for 2010:

Here are some photos and links to maps:

Waterfall Park

Google map location

Richard’s horse story:

Life in the Fast Lane:

Marshall John’s pictures:

Riding Old Paint:

Knocking on Heaven’s Door:

Ghost Riders:

Big Legged Woman:

Remember the Red River Valley I

Remember the Red River Valley II

Jack of Diamonds:

John Ross’ pictures:

John Ross and Marshall Johns were the only members to start November off right with a mountain bike ride.  (others we heard from were attending or returning from football games)

Five miles on the Sulphur Spring Trail, the Worley Bottom Trail, Allen Cook Boundary, and back by the Holt Cemetery Trail and Robinson Branch.  The creek was still up and we had to dodge a lot of mud holes, but it was a beautiful day with full fall colors showing and at least one wildflower still blooming.

The SCHIMBA weekend at Bankhead was a big success though not as well attended as we expected. (Three out of seven confirmed attendees dropped out for reasons satisfactory to themselves ((Randy’s reason was probably satisfactory as it was his wedding anniversary and his bride apparently did not want to accompany him there)))  Only John, Richard, Ian, and Dennis made the trip.  The weather was perfect and the tree colors spectacular. 

Saturday we took a short hike to Caney Creek falls and down the creek to the lower falls.  We attempted to take a shortcut back to camp by following John’s GPS, but it directed us east to US 231, then north to Addison, and back overland to the camp resulting in a 45 mile tour of central Alabama and the Bankhead NF.  We did enjoy seeing a lot of beautiful trees and farms along the way.  After lunch at about 4 pm Richard, Dennis and John took another short hike up Brushy Creek to another waterfall which they may or may not have actually found. 

Returning to camp we grilled steaks and sausages and turned in about 9. 

After a great camp breakfast we were off for another hike to Coal Mine Waterfall near Brushy Creek.  We parked and after some dispute about the direction (see map below) divided into separate parties.  Richard and John explored some previously unknown territory while Ian and Dennis quickly found the waterfall.  Richard and John then returned to it for a quick view. 

After breaking camp and lunch Richard and John opted for a quick and easy “downhill” bike ride on the Yellow Trail.  A pleasant ride in spite of numerous mud holes and a herd of oncoming horses that were not pleased with bicyclists.  After some confusion as to the meeting place Ian and Dennis picked up the riders and we all returned to Savannah.

Richard, Dennis and Ian also have pictures on their Facebook pages but here are the route maps and some of John’s pictures:

Saturday hike #1 to Caney Creek Waterfalls

The “shortcut” back to Brushy Lake Campground through Addison Alabama.

Saturday hike #2 on Brushy Creek

Sunday morning hike looking for Coal Mine Falls on Brushy Creek.  The Yellow line is Richards route.  Red is actual route to the falls.

Sunday afternoon bike ride on the Yellow and Blue Trails.

Web pages about Bankhead National Forest:

Bankhead National Forest webpage

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_B._Bankhead_National_Forest

Video of Caney Creek Falls:

Coal Mine Falls

Horses crossing Brushy Creek

Sincerely, Activities Director Richard

Irrelevant NOTE:  There are 49 Sugar Camp Hollows on the USGS Topo maps in the US, about 10 in Tennessee, but only one that we know of has an international mountain bicycle association.