Blue Blazes Hiking Trail provides glimpse of wilds in the city
Jordan Biscell
Issue date: 4/5/02 Section: News
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"I would really encourage students to take advantage of the trail," said Ron Nelson, director of campus recreation.
Founded in 1991 by the Chattanooga Hiking Club, the Blue Blazes Hiking Trail is the only established hiking trail on Moccasin Bend's 1,000 acres.
This 1.5 mile loop trail showcases some of the land that had been inhabited by Cherokees for thousands of years.
"There's a lot of American Indian history in the trail," said Mary Young, a founding member of the Chattanooga Hiking Club. "If anyone is interested in Cherokee Indians or other Native Americans, it's a great trail to hike."
Along with its history, the trail also provides many scenic views. The trail leads through thick vegetation, across marshy fields and along the banks of the Tennessee River.
"There are some wonderful views of Lookout Mountain on the trail," said Young.
Nelson agrees.
"There's a lot to see on the trail," he said. "There's an oak tree that's probably more than 150 years old just a little way down the trail. There are fresh Muskadines [grapes] in the fall, and the river is right there. It's really nice."
Despite the history and scenery of the Blue Blazes Hiking Trail, it receives few visitors. Young said the Chattanooga Hiking Club has not visited the trail as a group since 1993.
"It's been years since I've hiked the trail," she said. "But I don't remember there being many people on it."
Nelson, who takes his beginning backpacking and hiking class on the trail every year, said, "We don't usually see anyone else on the trail besides us. I think it's really due to a lack of publicity."
But some people seem to like the fact that the trail gets little use.
"I come out here a lot to get away," said Eliot Ritchie, a Suck Creek native. "It's really nice to be able to come to the trail and have the whole place to yourself."
