Signal Point to Rainbow Lake to Edward’s Point

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Signal Point to Rainbow Lake to Edward’s Point

The Basics:

Event Type:

Hike

Event Location:

Signal Point Mountain

Hike: Signal Point to Rainbow Lake to Edward’s Point

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Feb 4 2017 11:01 am >> Sat, Feb 4 2017 3:01 pm

Registration Opens:

Fri, Jan 27 2017 7:00 pm

Registration Cut Off:

Thu, Feb 2 2017 12:00 pm

Event Duration:

4 Hours

Difficulty Rating:

D3: Moderate (Exploratory)

Distance:

5.8 Miles

Pace:

Moderate

Trip Leader(s):

Patrick Barry

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Member Cost:

None

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, 21 And Older Only

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

2 / 0 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Note: This is an "EXPLORATORY" trip. This means that there are parts of this trip, or perhaps the whole trip, that is new to your Trip Leader(s). However, they are confident that this will not be an issue.
This note is here so that you can make an informed decision. When a Trip Leader isn't personally familiar with a trip, there is an increased chance of things not going as planned and you need to be prepared. The Trip Leader may have additional details in the itinerary.

Itinerary:

Fellow USA soccer watching buddy Scott Sweitzer and I are headed to 'Nooga to cheer on the USA vs. Jamaica Friday night. It would be a shame to turn around and return to Atlanta after the game. Instead, we plan to hike Saturday.

AOCers, this is a trail neither of us has hiked. Therefore, it is exploratory but being less than 10 miles from downtown and rather popular, it should be well marked. It is 2.9 one way so just under six miles round trip. Some terrific reviews and links ca be found under #3 pulled from this site: http://www.chattanoogafun.com/blog/5-great-hikes-in-chattanooga )

Think of the letter "U" and you'll have a good idea of the hike. We start at Signal Point, head down to the lake and then the terrain changes. We have a steeper climb on a rocky trail to an incredible point overlooking the TN River. Elevation gain/loss roughly 1,200' one way.

We'll encounter a swinging bridge, a waterfall and spectacular scenery all on this hike!

Snagged from the link above:The plan: Starting from Signal Point—a perch that once served as a signaling post for the Union Army during the Civil War—this 2.9-mile (one way) stretch of the Cumberland Trail is a technical track that travels down a steep, forested gulch and then shoots back up the opposite side of the gorge before traversing the edge of a grassy ridge and eventually reaching one of the best viewpoints in Chattanooga: Edward's Point.

The trail starts with a set of steep, wooden stairs known as the “Mouse Trap” and in less than a mile, it reaches the Julia Falls Overlook, which yields a fantastic view of the Middle Creek Gorge. Then it’s past Rainbow Falls (you’ll hear it gushing to your left, but stay on the trail), down to Middle Creek and Rainbow Lake, across a rustic swinging bridge, and back up the other side. Once you reach Edward's Point, the views of the Tennessee River and Williams Island and distant downtown Chattanooga make it all worth the effort.

We usually hit a brewpub in 'Nooga before the return drive to ATL.

Required Items to Bring:

Hike: Hiking boots, water, snacks, layered clothing, rain gear, 10 essentials.

Car: change of shoes, possibly a change of clothing

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.

Hiking poles, camera, hat

Money for carpool, dinner

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

75N

24W

27N

27 splits, take 27N or 127N and/or possibly 27W (one road, multiple names)

127 and 27 split. Take 127N

Take L on Mississippi Ave (across from CVS) after a few miles the name becomes James Blvd

Take L on Signal Point Rd

Follow to Signal Point NPS

Notes:

We may have to pay to park a car. I'm working on that item.

* We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines while participating in AOC events.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance: Please review the AOC cancellation policy.
*Note:

Drizzle or light rain we'll hike, harder rain or downpour we'll skip it. Plenty of time provided so you aren't headed to the trailhead for a non-existent hike.