What we’re about
"I chose the road less travelled… Now I don’t know where I am."
"Never follow someone else's path unless you're in the woods and you're lost, and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that." - Ellen Degeneres
"Bring a compass. It's awkward when you have to eat your friends." - Unknown
So maybe we caught your interest?
Quick note then I’ll tell you what we’re about. We’ve never gotten lost or had to look at members as a food source. This is Chattanooga Outdoor Adventures not the Donner Party (some of you will get that).
We enjoys the outdoors in all forms. Events like Hiking, Rafting, Kayaking, and everything else.
But wait there’s more! I sound like a Ginsu knife commercial. Let’s not let any of the Donners have one of those.
We also plan other great activities in and around Chattanooga. Not just hiking. Musical events, food and wine festivals. A concert in a cave, you get the idea
It’s an open group and would love to get everyone involved and plan a lot of different things. Inclusion and fun are key.
Not just hiking, Adventures of all kinds
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Taqueria Jalisco-Ania and Hoptown-A Moveable Feast with Tacos!!!!Taqueria Jalisco Ania, Chattanooga, TN
NOTE: this is the one in my hood on the Southside NOT the other one. If it doesn't say Ania in the name you are going to the wrong one.
A Friday Night Moveable feast event where we explore the different eateries around my house because why not? Seating at the restaurant is limited so we may have to improvise. Want a perfectly executed night? I am not your guy. Want to roll the dice and see what happens. Lets go!
“I read the menu mimeographed in purple ink and saw that the plat du jour was cassoulet. It made me hungry to read the name.” ― Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast
Mimeographed? We older people will remember sniffing the papers when they came off that thing.
Cassaoulet? The French have some fancy names for their dishes.
I wonder if Ernest Hemingway ever had the pleasure of a Taco during his time in Paris writing A Moveable Feast though?
I actually found a graphic of a "Taco" in front of the Eiffel Tower then I was like wait! Why is it rectangular? I will ask Google. I am here for you guys. Finding answers to questions you never wanted answered. It is what I do. I'm a giver.
French tacos are a popular fast food item in France, and while named "tacos," they are not traditionally Mexican tacos. They are essentially a flat, grilled burrito or pressed sandwich featuring a flour tortilla filled with items like French fries, cheese sauce, and grilled meat.
That's not a taco! You are appropriating a word! They get pretty uptight about us when we do thing like that. Champagne or some of their wines are good examples. Can I call my Crock pot Roast a Taters and beef Cassaoulet? A grilled Cheese a Croque Mon Processed American cheese? Make Boone's Farm Bourguignon? A Hot Pocket a Pepperoni Wellington?
Lets face it. A French Taco is actually a Hot Pocket. Call it a Poche chaude (Quite literally translates Hot Pocket) if you want to class it up a bit, but it is not a Taco. News flash for the French you took an American microwavable staple and called it a taco. It is not fancy French cooking. It is bachelor I live alone let's get something out of the freezer cooking.
So let's leave the French with their Hot Pockets. Ernest Hemingway may have never had a taco in Paris. Poor Guy! However, we can have one in Chattanooga.
Let's go eat at Taqueria Jalisco Ania
It looks really really good. An actual Taco. No Hot Pockets I promise!
After let's grab a beer or cocktail at the very near Hoptown-Southside
I am going to the Grocery store tonight and now I am probably going to buy some Hot Pockets. Probably make several other questionable food choices too.
- Collins Gulf Trail to Horse Pound Falls and Collins River and Mexican Food501 Signal Mountain Rd, Chattanooga, TN
I tried to figure out how Horse Pound Falls got its name... Which took me down the Rabbit Hole.
How do race horses get their names?
Who Cares?
What are funny Race horse names? (this I care about because its funny)
I found some suggestions. I can't put them all here, but they're good.
Hoof Hearted-Now imagine the announcer saying it fast. Yes, I am like a teenage boy.
Theres more like that Pat Myaz, Anita Beer, Ben Dover and Hugh Jass. It is of course a blessing I am not Elon musk rich. I would have fun naming my horse.
You should see the ones I did not put in here.
After all that we still do not know how Horse Pound Falls got it's name, but we do know it is an amazing hike. We have done it a few times and unlike me it doesn't get old. Everyone has liked this one a lot.
This is a pretty good hike for almost all skill levels. It is just fun. As usual you are responsible for knowing if you can do it or not.
Collins Gulf to Horse Pound Falls and Collins River.
The cut and paste description: (I mean why type it all out when you can just copy it.) "Experience this 4.5-mile out-and-back trail near Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 12 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through May."
Where to meet: Wal-Mart @ 501 Signal Mountain Road. The usual place, Towards the street (I could draw you a map, but you have smart phones and it will be much more accurate in it's directions than my hand drawn map. Kids today will not understand the phrase "do I need to draw you a map?" In certain matters pertaining to some things I have been told I need a map)
After hike there's food: El Agave at the Walmart on Signal Mountain. We eat where we started. I have eaten there before and the food is good.
What Next: We are back to Wal-Mart where you parked your car. Go home to the ones you love. Or if people want to do something else like go to Merv's and shoot pool, Hair of the dog and throw darts whatever I am wide open, but you think of something. We can do it.
What to bring: Yourself or someone like you, hiking boots, poles if you have them and need them, some form of Hydration (beer does not count), You know this stuff! Any gear you might need, Sandra Bullock, Wal-mart Great Value Fruit Smiles, and a snack of your choosing. Nobody reads this part anyways and you really should know it.
Trail rating: Moderately difficult like some people I know.
Length: 4.5 Mile.... Stop it! Would I lie to you? (NOTE that is rhetorical)
Elevation Change: 866' (I swear I am not lying... this time)
The All Trails Schtick
Collins Gulf Tail to Horse Pound Falls and Collins RiverAfter we are going to eat of course.
It is in the Walmart parking lot we are going to meet at. I will be in trouble with one of our members for scheduling a hike and Mexican food on Saturday when she can't be there so we will toast her with margaritas and cheese dip.
- Mt. Le Conte Hike - 11 miles, 3077 ft elevation gain - DifficultAlum Cave Trailhead, Gatlinburg, TN
Mt. Le Conte Hike - 11 miles, 3077 ft elevation gain - Difficult
Alum Cave Trailhead, Gatlinburg, TN
Trailhead Coords: 35.6290,-83.4510This is part two of January 4th's Oswald Dome COA hike and GSHAG hike
Bev, my GSHAG (Great Smokies Hiking & Adventure Group) counterpart, suffered a serious knee injury and won't be able to lead the GSHAG half of this hike.
Those who completed Oswald Dome in January already have a measure of their physical fitness for this hike. Others, PLEASE know your abilities and limitations. This is a CHALLENGING hike due to the 3077 ft ascent.
Trail map and elevation profile can be found in "photos".
Alum Cave trail is the most popular Le Conte track, so we must be at the trailhead EARLY to get a parking spot.
Cars in GSMNP (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) must display a parking pass ($5/day). Passes may be purchased online or at self-serve kiosks in the park (e.g. Sugarlands Visitor Center).
I reserved Elkmont Campground (GSMNP) site D14 for the night before. Each site allows 2 cars and 6 people. I'm willing to share/split my site to the max number.
If you wish to book your own site, follow this link:
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232487
Campground reservations can be cancelled at least 2 days in advance (i.e. if the hike is cancelled due to bad weather). There is a $10 cancellation fee. Less than 2 days in advance, all fees are forfeit.
---Weather:
Hiking in cold rain can be problematic for those not properly equipped. To include everyone, hike may be rescheduled due to weather.Standard Notice, Disclaimer:
Meetup organizers/leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for you own safety and well-being. By signing up for this and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possible death. The organizers of this group and current and former members cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant -including you- at any event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of a claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.
