BOOK YOUR RESERVATION NOW FOR THE 2025 BRR FALL OUTING AT FALLS CREEK FALLS STATE PARK IN TN. THE PRICE GOES UP AT THE VACANCY GOES DOWN. YOU CAN CANCEL UP TO 48 HOURS FOR A FULL REFUND. SEE BELOW FOR MORE DETAILS.

TUESDAY JAN 7, 2025

LAUREL BRANCH from RUSSELL BRIDGE, UPPER CHATTOOGA

Description:

Follow in the footsteps of William Bartram from Russell Bridge to Laurel Branch. It’s a mostly easy 7.5 miles round trip, including many bridged stream crossings and the site of a historic farmstead…only a chimney and rusted farm equipment remain. Just beyond the fine iron bridge crossing the West Fork of the Chattooga, are fields of fallen trees, reminders of a tornado that struck the area about a decade ago. Several pleasant views of the Chattooga River add to the enjoyment. Total elevation gain is less than 200ft. Lunch at the bridge across Laurel Branch.

Directions: Click here for directions and details. 

THURSDAY JAN 9, 2025

BALD KNOB on PINNACLE MOUNTAIN in Table Rock State Park

Description: From the Nature Center in Table Rock State Park, we follow the Foothills Trail west along Carrick Creek and up Pinnacle Mountain to the Bald Knob Overlook. The round trip is 7.5 miles. After an easy start in the park along Carrick Creek, the outbound leg toward Pinnacle Mtn becomes narrow, winding, and difficult. Total elevation gain is about 2000 ft. However, as an in and out hike, there are options for bail out and early return.

DIRECTIONS: (35.031586, -82.699825)
Gather at Holly Springs (SC11 and US178) for 9:15 AM departure. From the Holly, follow SC11 northeast for about 5 mi to the West Gate of Table Rock State Park.

Directions: Click here for directions and details. 

2025 BRR FALL OUTING

Time for something new! The BRR fall outing will be held at Falls Creek Falls State Park in TN from September 8-11 (Mon-Thur).  The Lodge was recently built, has air conditioning, balcony’s/patios, and is beautiful!  Each room also has WiFi, a TV, and a small refrigerator.  All are welcome and encouraged to attend this popular event.  

Falls Creek Falls State Park is located in Spencer, TN (about a 4 hour drive from Seneca).  This lodge allows us to cancel up to 2 days before for a full refund.  We will reschedule for a later week in September or October if rain is in the forecast.  

Fall Creek Falls State Park is one of Tennessee’s largest and most visited state parks. The park is huge – encompassing more than 29,800 acres sprawled across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau. Laced with cascades, gorges, waterfalls, streams, and lush stands of virgin hardwood timber. Fall Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern United States. Other waterfalls within the park include Piney Falls, Cane Creek Falls, and Cane Creek Cascades.

A complimentary buffet breakfast in their lakeside restaurant is provided to all guests staying at the lodge.  There are also electric vehicle chargers and a heated, waterside pool, located just below the restaurant. On the opposite side of the lake, guests can rent paddleboards and kayaks at the boat dock or enjoy the 18-hole golf course.  Happy Hour can take place around a nice fire pit.

This is a very popular State Park and will likely sell out so make your reservations immediately if not sooner.  You can get a full refund it you cancel by Sept 6 (48 hours before your reservation).  

A 10% discount is available for AAA and Seniors (over 62 years old) for the lodge rooms.  There are several lodging options – including cabins right on the lake with a fabulous view, lodge rooms, and camp sites.  The cabins are older – some have been renovated and command a higher price.  The prices go up as the vacancy goes down.  So make your reservation ASAP.  Here are approximate nightly prices with the senior discount right now: 

Lodge King Bed:  $172 – $192

Lodge 2 Queen Beds:  $181 – $201

2 BRM Cabins:  $300

Cabin on Water:  $333 – $369

Campsites: various prices

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner where we order off the menu.   All meals are paid for separately.  

There are a few Lodge rooms and cabins that allow dogs and cats.  Dogs are allowed on many (but not all) of the trails.  There is a $20/night charge for pets.  Be sure to let the reservation agent know if you require a pet-friendly room.   Campsites allow pets of course.

For reservations go to:

https://tnstateparks.com/parks/fall-creek-falls

Or call 888 867-2757.  (We don’t have a group code because we would lose the ability to cancel up to 48 hours before the event.) 

Trip Extentions:  A Mountaineering Bluegrass Festival is taking place there the weekend before our outing (Sept 5-7).  It includes music, vendors, food, crafts, and is open to the public.  The price of admission is your parking fee.

If you are more into country music, Nashville is only a 2 hour drive from  Falls Creek Falls State Park.

Please let Susan Hehir ([email protected]) know if you are planning to attend so she can send you the hiking plan, and rescheduling notification if rain is in the forecast.

BRR Library

Planning to do some hiking on your own?  You can borrow a book from our hiking library.  The library offers many different books about hiking in NC, SC, and GA.  From our home page click on “Resources”.  The bottom half of the page lists the different books available.  A big thanks to those who donated to the library:  Nancy Carkhuff, Michael Gauderer, Bill Ebeling, and others.  To request a book contact the librarian at: [email protected].