Northwest Tennessee Chapter

Tennessee Trails Association

Fort Pillow Hike Report

Well someone didn't watch the signs closely in Dyersburg and missed the turn for highway 51. That same person realized the error in reaching the Jackson city limits. So the hike that was to begin at 9:30, which we shall generously say was "rain-delayed," (well there were some heavy thunderstomrs in the area, and we did get wet) started at 10:30 as the 15 other folks patiently waited for the lost party. Compounding the problem was the folks who blindly followed yours truly, falsely believing that I knew what I was doing.

Anyway, 14 folks from the Nortwest chapter were joined by 7 from the Memphis chapter for a muggy, rain-dampened hike at Fort Pillow. Three of our group immediately decided that it was too rainy for them, and headed back to Martin. The rain was pretty much gone by 11:00, and by 2:00 the skies had cleared to the point that it was getting downright uncomfortable on the trail. An older edition of the Evans Means book states that the Memphis chapter has adopted the trails here. If that is the stll the case, then perhaps we can heap some of the blame on that chapter for the 3 of us who did one portion twice (Nancy: "We are going in a circle!" Jim: "No way!" Jim: "Hey, there is the same fallen tree we had to go around before. Way!" Fortunately in our second traversal of the loop we overtook another portion of the group just about ready to make the same error. This time, we all agreed to take the "emergency exit" route and end our dizzying
trek.

All in all it was a very nice hike through woodlands with ample opportunity to cut the route short, as several folks did. Most of the party hiked about 8-10 miles. The fact that the Memphis folks joined us made it an especially rewarding day. The historical aspects of the park, also made for an intersting and informative hike.

I guess several honorary awards for the day are in order: most knowledgeable about the battle, flora, and fauna goes to Ray from Memphis. The best looking boots prize belongs to Gayle Anderson who was sporting a new pair of Asolos. Now they are fully broken in for her upcoming trip to England. Most confused goes to yours truly, who missed the sign in Dyersburg, and also was involved in the "circle tour." Joe Seago is to be leader of our next hike, so you can be assured of fewer "adventures."

For those who missed this hike, or even for those who did go on it, the Memphis Chapter is doing it again the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This might be a good time to work off some of that Thanksgiving meal and join them. Since the leaves will be gone by that time, we should have a totally different perspective and glorious views of the river.

Participants associated with the northwest chapter: Sandy Davis, Joe Coulombe and Michelle, Hao Nguyen, Anna Clark, Jim Clark, Gayle Anderson and her sister, Tim Johnston, Joe Seago, and Nancy Warren. From Memphis: Ray, Marty, Jerry, Gloria, Freddi, Margaret, and Howard.

jc

Tim wimps out with an umbrella