[Saturday] 1.18.14- Fiery Gizzard

FIERY GIZZARD TRAIL- SOUTHBOUND

Thru-hike of The Fiery Gizzard, summary using Ramblr app

Location: Grundy Forest State Natural Area
County: Grundy
Latitude: 35.2512
Longitude: -85.7457
Distance: 12.5 miles (Thru-Hike)
Difficulty: Strenuous
Population: Only saw 2 other people o n the trail
Address: 11745 US 41
               Monteagle, TN 27356
Phone: (931) 924-2980

Directions: From Nashville: 
There are two entrances to the trail.

North Entrance:
Take I-24 East to Exit 134. At the top of the exit ramp, turn right passed the McDonalds. Continue until you come to a split and turn left onto 41 South (41A) This will take you through Monteagle and toward Tracy City.The North entrance is from the Grundy Forest State Natural area and is about three miles from the South Cumberland Visitor Center. Turn right onto 3rd Street, right before the Tracy City Electric company. Continue passed Tracy Elementary, and yield a right onto Marion Street. Once, passed the baseball field take a right onto Fiery Gizzard Rd. This will take you right the Park.

South Entrance:
Continue through Tracy City until you come to the second red light and take a right onto Main Street (41South). The south entrance is 11.5 miles from the visitor center and is accessed via U.S. Highway 41. Take a right onto Foster Falls Rd.

Note: Speed limit is 55 mph on 41, until you get close to Tracy City and it immediately turns to 35 mph. Speed limit postings are not clear, and you will get pulled over!

Other Trails
1.) Grundy Forest Day Loop- 2.0 miles
2.) Dog Hole Trail- 2.8 miles

Great view from Raven Point

Waterfalls
1.) Sycamore Falls
2.) Anderson Fall
3.) Foster Falls

Camp-Sites
1.) Raven point campsite
2.) Small Wild campsite
3.) CCC Campsite
4.) Father Adamz Campsite

Sycamore Falls

The first waterfall you will come upon is Sycamore Falls. Veer off to the right and you will be there in no time. Barely off the beaten path, return to the split and follow the Big Fiery Gizzard creek until you reach the Raven Point Climb.

Raven Point Climb

Very long, steep climb to the top, but it is worth it, if you make it!

Raven Point

Once, you have admired Raven's Point continue on the Raven's Point Trailhead, past the Fiery- Doghole trail junction. Shortly, past this you will come to a service road- where Anderson Falls flows.

Anderson Falls

Moving a long this part of the trail is reasonably flat. This was a great time to just take everything in and enjoy mother nature.

A great little waterfall

 Time to get your mind right for the descent into the gorge at Laurels Branch Bottom.

Once, you have climbed out of the gorge you have a great scenic view

A little bit further down the trail you come across a wooden bridge at Small Wilds Camp and more scenic views. Absolutely, mesmerizing! Continuing down the trail  you will pass the Climbers loop and Father Adamz camp site. Foster Falls is just around the corner

Foster Falls from the overlook

The only good trail map out there for Fiery Gizzard is the one you get at the trail head.

Fiery Gizzard Map- Friends of SCSRA