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