Mousetail Landing -- Day Loop Trail
Location: Perry County, Tennessee (near Linden, TN)
Date of Hike: October 30, 2016
Link to more Info: http://tnstateparks.com/parks/about/mousetail-landing

Directions: This TN State Park is located adjacent to the Tennessee River in Middle Tennessee. South of I-40, you can reach it from either Parsons, TN on the west side of the river, or Linden on the east side of the river. Signage is sufficient from each city, and you should have no trouble getting to TN Highway 438 (At Fat Man's Gas & Convenience Store), which heads north from the major highway and river crossing that is both 100 and 412.

While a bit off the beaten path, this state park and its hiking trails have much to offer. The extra moisture from the Tennessee River makes for some really interesting plant life. Starting from behind the ranger station, the 3 mile loop trail ascends to the ridgeline and follows it north and then west, with options to choose your clockwise/counterclockwise direction and to head off-loop to the camping area nearby. Eventually the trail descends to the river, where there is a manmade beach, bathrooms, and a picnic shelter. retrace your steps to where you emerged from the woods to ascend back to the ridgeline.

Highlights:

Trail carpeted in moss for much of its highest areas
Hike occurs in mature forested area
Several not too severe climbs and descents
Views of the Tennessee River in a few places
Deep coves/gullies on either side of the trail at times
Peaceful, rarely crowded

Pointers:

Green of the moss especially startling in winter
Dining options for catfish restaurants in Perryville on west side of river
Possible bald eagle sightings -- several in area

The Walls of Jericho Trail (From TN trailhead)

Walls of Jericho Hike (from the Tennessee Trailhead)
Location: TN/AL Border (App. 12 miles southeast of Winchester, TN)
Date of Hike: December 20, 2014
Link to information: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/natural-areas/natural-areas/jericho/

West of Winchester, TN, on HIGHWAY 64, you'll turn South on Highway 16, and ascend the Cumberland Plateau, driving almost to the TN/AL line to the Walls of Jericho trailhead on the right, still in Tennessee. This new parking area and trail, under 10 years old, is well marked.

At a little more than 9 miles round trip, this hike is a wonderful mix of bluff, forested slope, bottomland, and streamside walking. It's well marked in Tenenessee, with white diamonds. In Alabama, there are signs and occasional markings. Make sure you don't accidentally climb to the Alabama trailhead by mistake. The Walls area at the end of the hike is amazing and well worth the effort. At least one loop including the Mill Creek Blow Hole, closer to the TN parking area (which we didn't take due to short winter days and lack of a map), allows hikers to avoid retracing footsteps as part of the return.

Highlights:

• Bluff walking with mossy knobs and overlooks
• Several dry stream crossings
• Trail threading through rock gardens and ravines
• A single log width bridge above the larger wet creek (don't use the rickety handrail!)
• amazing dry white rocky creek
• a spring-fed creek that starts next to the trail
• Old graveyard in bottomland area
• multiple available campsites

Pointers

• Be careful walking on the slick rocks at the top of the canyon
• Don't use the rail on the narrow bridge to support yourself
• Be sure to climb as far as you can above the small opening where water emerges in the canyon -- you'll be rewarded by several rocky basins and a deep well with water visible at the bottom