E-Mail Newsletter
Outdoor Chattanooga sends out a weekly e-newsletter of events, adventures, news, activities, and anything "outdoors" we can find in the Chattanooga/Hamilton County area. To begin receiving the e-blast on Tuesday afternoons, just click the link below and put "newsletter" in the subject line.
Sign up for our Newsletter at newsletter@outdoorchattanooga.com
News and Events July 27
We’re getting Street Smart on Thursday this week. Look for the lightning bolt ~to see new outdoor events and activities.
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Street Smarts Safe Cycling Seminar July 29
Learn the rules of the road and some helpful tips for riding a bicycle in traffic at the next monthly Street Smarts Safe Cycling class this Thurs., July 29, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The free one hour class will give cyclists some basic tools to build their safety and confidence on the road. Suitable for adults and kids ages 10 and older when accompanied by an adult. Participants who want to take part in an optional post-class ride should bring their bicycles and helmets. For more information, email or call Minya James at (423) 643-6888.
~Stringers Ridge Hike Aug. 5
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a free, guided hike on Stringer's Ridge, Thurs., Aug. 5, at 6 p.m. Expect an hour and a half of hiking at a leisurely pace on singletrack trail, a few rocky sections, and a couple of good hills. Sturdy shoes are a must. Meet at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park to car caravan to the trailhead. The hike is suitable for adults and kids ages 8 and older when accompanied by an adult. The hike will go on, rain or shine, but not in thunder and lightning storms. An RSVP is appreciated. To learn more, call or email Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
~Bike2Work Aug. 6
Come join us for our monthly Bike2Work breakfast on Fri., Aug. 6, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the south end of the Walnut St. Bridge. Join Chattanooga’s bike commuters for coffee and good conversation about pedaling to work. This month, we welcome special guests from DOGood Citizens for a Dog Friendly Chattanooga and new sponsor Velo Coffee Roasters. The Walnut St. Bridge will be opening to dog walkers on Sat., Aug. 7. For more information about Bike2Work, call or email Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
~Walnut St. Bridge opens to Dog Walkers Aug. 7
The Walnut St. Bridge will officially "reopen" on Sat., Aug. 7, at 2:00 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony and special grand opening for dog walkers. DOGood Citizens for a Dog Friendly Chattanooga will host a special dog walk across the bridge and sponsor a booth with dog-related information, special treats and information about DOGood's efforts. From 4-6 p.m., a special "Yappy Hour" will take place at Greenlife Grocery following the official event. To learn more, email or call Rhonda Seeber at (423) 643-6079.
~Dale Hollow Lake Overnight Kayak Trips Aug. 28/29
Outdoor Chattanooga and Rock/Creek will host a special overnight kayak trip to Dale Hollow Lake on Sat., and Sun., Aug. 28 and 29. Dale Hollow is known for its pristine, clear water and excellent paddling. Transportation, meals and all kayaking and camping gear will be provided. Participants bring their own sleeping bag, personal items and spending money for the road. The group will travel from Greenway Farm in Hixson to the lake on Sat. morning, and then do day kayaking excursions on Sat. afternoon and Sun. morning from base camp before returning to Chattanooga. Cost is $150 and pre-registration is required. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
More Events
Southern Stampede Disc Golf Tournament July 31
The Catoosa County Recreation Department in Ringgold, GA will present the Southern Stampede Disc Golf Tournament at the Jack Mattox disc golf course on Sat., July 31. The all ages tournament will feature cash awards and special prizes. Entry fee is $10. To learn more, call Scott Homberg at (423) 595-1199.
~Greenway 5-Mile Trail Race Aug. 7
The Greenway 5-Mile Trail race, on Sat., Aug. 7, is a great way for people of all ages to run on a moderate, scenic course and raise money for the Wilderness Trail Association. The Rock/Creek trail running event takes place on the scenic farmland and woods of the City of Chattanooga’s Greenway Farm. Register Online to race or volunteer.
Adventures
S. Cumberland State Park Activities
The South Cumberland State Park, near Monteagle, TN, hosts weekly activities and programs to get people out and about in the park. To see a complete schedule of activities visit the Friends of South Cumberland State Recreation Area Website. All times are CDT.
Thurs., July 22
8:00 p.m. - Night Hike on the Meadow Trail - Meet Ranger Brent at the Visitor Center parking lot for an easy 2-mile round trip hike. Join us for this hike to see and hear the differences of the night time at the park. Bring a flashlight.
Fri., July 23
8:00 p.m. - Sunset /Night Hike to Savage Falls - Meet Seasonal Ranger Aaron at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station for a moderate 4-mile hike to see beautiful Savage Falls. You will get to experience the difference between night and day at the park. Bring water/snack, bug repellent, and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
Sat., July 24
9:00 a.m. - What is the Woolly Adelgid? Grundy Forest Day Loop - Meet Seasonal Ranger Aaron at the Grundy Forest parking lot for a moderate 2-mile hike. Along the trail are numerous old-growth Eastern Hemlock trees that, left untreated could be destroyed by the Woolly Adelgid. We will discuss the insect s potential impact on our forests, and what can be done to minimize its impact in our area. Bring water/snack and wear sturdy shoes.
1:00 p.m. - Aquatic Critter Detective - Kids must have and adult with them. Get in the creek, find critters, I.D. them, and use a chart to figure out water quality ,based on the creatures pollution tolerance. Meeet at Grundy Forest.
2:00 p.m. - Make Your Own Hummingbird Feeders - Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station. Please bring any empty 20 oz bottles you have at home. We will be making and decorating feeders that you can fill and hang at home to attract our smallest migratory birds.
Sun., July 25
9:00 a.m. - Nature Hike-Stone Door Trail - Join Ashlie at the Stone Door Ranger Station to learn some Tennessee native trees and wildflowers and soak up some incredible views. This is an easy family friendly 2-mile hike, so bring the kids, water and a snack.
moderate 4-mile hike to see beautiful Savage Falls. You will get to experience the difference between night and day at the park. Bring water/snack, bug repellent, and wear sturdy shoes. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
~Fri., July 30
1:30 p.m. - Hike to Savage Falls - Meet Seasonal Ranger Aaron at Savage Gulf Ranger Station for a moderate 4-mile hike to see beautiful Savage Falls. Bring water/snack, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a bathing suit if you want to take a swim in the pool below the falls. Don t forget your camera!
~Sat., July 31
9 a.m. - Mountain Oak Loop Hike - Meet Seasonal Ranger Aaron at S10 mile hike that has some beautiful overlooks of Savage Gulf and our Big Tree spur trail. Pack your lunch, plenty of water, and wear sturdy shoes. This is an awesome trek for seasoned hikers only.
1:30 p.m. - Essentials of Backpacking - Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station. Learn some basic, yet essential tools needed for any backpacking trip.
1:30 p.m. - Snake Appreciation Day - Meet Jen at the Visitor Center and learn some nice things about the much maligned snake.
~Sun., Aug. 1
10 a.m. - Scavenger Hunt - Meet at the Stone Door Ranger Station and test your detective skills by tracking down objects in the woods. All materials will be provided. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
2 p.m. - Animal Tracks - Meet Ranger Chase at the Stone Door Ranger Station. We will be discussing native animals and creating your own field guides. You can take these with you and identify tracks left around the park and around your home.
8:30 p.m. - Night Sounds - Meet Jen at the Grundy Lakes parking lot to experience nature’s “night life.” Bring flashlights, wear boots.
News
~Playcore Donates Equipment to City/County
According to Chattanoogan.com, Playcore, sponsor of American Trails' National Symposium on Nov. 14-17, has donated $95,000 worth of playground equipment to the City of Chattanooga and Hamilton County. The equipment will be on display to delegates for the convention and then will be installed in Warner Park and at the Riverpoint section of the TN Riverpark where it meets S. Chickamauga creek.
~Congressional Candidate Smith Advocates Cutting Federal Recreation Trail Funding
In an opinion letter to Chattanoogan.com outlining her position on eliminating “earmarks” in federal funding, Robin Smith, candidate for the 3rd Congressional district, has proposed cutting entirely the Federal Highway Administration’s National Recreation Trails Fund. The $250 million fund goes towards greenway, blueway, and singletrack trails projects, including bridge reclamation, signage, paving, and land acquisition. In 2010, Tennessee received $1.5 million from the fund to finance the development of recreational trails. Local and regional projects that have been funded by RTP dollars include the TN Riverpark, Upper Ocoee River Park, Cumberland Trail, and S. Cumberland State Park.
~Contribute your Bicycling Photo and Quote to APBP's Calendar
Photos and inspiring words about bicycling, walking and healthy communities are needed to promote a new 16-month calendar project for the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle Professionals (APBP). The calendar will be distributed to bicycling and pedestrian professionals worldwide and will debut at this year’s Pro Walk/Pro Bike and American Trails Symposium, both in Chattanooga. APBP needs high-quality photos of bicycling and walking activities and facilities for each of the 16 months, plus any quotations (famous or otherwise) to inspire their work and keep members connected to their mission. To learn details, email or call Linda DuPriest at (830) 992-3042.
"Dog Days" and Climbing Photo Contest
Rock/Creek and Five Ten are on a photo search for pictures of dogs outside at climbing places. The winning photo will be used for the banner image on Rock/Creek's and Five Ten's homepage for the month of August to promote the
"Dog Days of Summer." Deadline: July 31.
Web Hit of the Week
Safe Routes to Schools’ new Bike to School promotional video: check out this kid!
Last Week’s Web Hit
Check out this new, innovative urban bicycle: the Disko. It’s chic, practical, and very funky.
Upcoming . . .
August
12 Moccasin Bend Bicycle Tour
14 Missionary Ridge Road Race
YMCA Strong Adventure Race
16 Fall Creek Falls Triathlon
21 TVCC BYO-Boat Paddle – Nickajack Cave
Booker T. Off-Road Triathlon and Youth Triathlon
Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Ride
28 TVCC BYO-Boat Paddle – Sequatchie River
Raft for the Cure
Chattanooga Mud Run
28/29 Rock/Creek Kayak Adventure – Dale Hollow Lake Overnighter
September
10-13 Black Bear Rampage
13-16 Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike
Park(ing) Day 2010
18 Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Ride
Flintstone Youth Triathlon
19 Mtn. Top Marathon, ½ Marathon & 5K
Rock/Creek Kayak Adventure – Williams Island
25 National Public Lands Day
25/26 TVCC BYO-Boat Paddle – Town Creek, AL
Skyhoundz World Disc Dog Championships
October
1-10 River Rocks Outdoor Festival
2 TN River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race
Rock/Creek Stump Jump
Sequatchie Valley Century
Tennessee River Rescue
9 Chattanooga Head Race
16 Signal Mtn. Road Race/Pie Run
TVCC Ocoee River Race
Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Ride
Swim the Suck 10-Mile Open Water Swim
16/17 Festival of Jack ‘o Lanterns
23 TVCC BYO-Boat Paddle – Raccoon Mtn.
23/24 Fall Colors Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
30 Wild Foods Day at Fall Creek Falls
November
6 TVCC BYO-Boat Paddle – Wolftever Creek
6/7 Head of the Hooch
Rock Climbing Workshop at Fall Creek Falls
13 Upchuck 50K
Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon
14-17 20th American Trails National Symposium
20 TVCC BYO-Boat Paddle – Chester Frost Park
December
4 Triple Crown Bouldering Comp. – Stone Fort
18 Lookout Mountain 100K/10K
February, 2011
20 Southern 6(k) Trail Race & 1st Annual Kiddie K
March, 2011
26 Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race
April, 2011
23 Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap
May, 2011
7 3-State/3-Mountain Challenge
21 Scenic City Trail Marathon and Half Marathon
June, 2011
17-19 Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race
