TN-TACF CHAPTER HIKE AT SAVAGE GULF
Join the Tennessee Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation for a hike in Savage Gulf state natural area, Tennessee on Saturday, August 20, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. CDT.
Savage Gulf is a Tennessee state park in a rugged area of the Cumberland Plateau characterized by deep gorges, sparkling streams and waterfalls, and forests, including a rare old growth mesophytic forest. Historically, the Cumberland Plateau was second only to the Appalachian Mountains in abundance of American chestnuts in the state of Tennessee.
While the large American chestnut trees are gone as the result of chestnut blight that hit here in the 1930’s, American chestnut stump sprouts continue to grow from old root systems that predate the blight. Rarely attaining significant size before being killed by blight, and even less commonly bearing nuts, these trees are the inconspicuous remnants of the American chestnut forest of the past. They keep alive the genetic material of American chestnuts adapted to thrive in the Cumberland Plateau region. We will examine some of these remarkable plants on the hike.
The hike will cover about 4.2 miles. Elevation change is about 130 feet. Bring lunch, water and a raincoat. To see photos of Savage Falls and Liam Weaver by a chestnut tree, click here .
Meet at the Savage Gulf ranger station at 10:30 a.m. CDT on Saturday, August 20, 2005. To get there, take I-24 to the Monteagle/Tracy City exit. Take US-41 south to Tracy City. Turn left onto TN-56 north, go 10 miles. Turn right onto TN 108 through Gruetli Laager. Turn left onto TN-399. Go 5.1 miles to the park entrance on the left.
For more information, contact Greg Weaver. Click here for information about Savage Gulf (may be slow to load)
(615) 791-0274
WeaverPond@aol.com