Thursday, September 8, 2011

Fifth Annual Long Hunter Mega-Hike (26 miles) Set For Oct. 29, 2011

It's that time of year again: The Fifth Annual Long Hunter Mega-Hike is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29th at Long Hunter State Park in Hermitage, TN.  As always, the plan is to hike all of the park's trails - about 26 miles - in a single day. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of Long Hunter State Park.

Participants should meet hike leader Jason Allen at the Couchville Lake parking lot (in Area 2) and be prepared to hit the trails at 7 a.m. sharp. The plan is to complete the hike by sunset, but there's a decent chance hikers could still be out on the trails after dark. So participants might want to bring a flashlight or light source.

If you're unable to hike all 26 miles (or just aren't interested in hiking that many miles), no worries - you can stop whenever you want. The main objective is to have fun while enjoying the fall colors and variety of habitats that Long Hunter has to offer - whether you hike just two miles with us or all 26 miles.



Those who complete the hike will receive a frameable certificate of merit signed by Park Manager Thurman Mullins. (A certificate listing last year's survivors is currently on display in the park visitor center.) In addition, there will likely be some giveaways/freebies courtesy of the Friends of Long Hunter State Park.  There's also the possibility of your photo appearing in a newspaper or on a website. (Last year The Tennessean showed up for the event, and the following day there was a nice story about the mega-hike and a photo gallery.) And if enough people are interested, commemorative Mega-Hike t-shirts might be printed up for participants or for those who complete the hike.

As always, those who feel up to it afterwards are invited to the after-hike dinner/celebration at Angelo's Pizza on Murfreesboro Road.


Just remember to bring plenty of water and lunch and snacks -- and perhaps extra socks and clothes. Since Long Hunter's trails are spread out and many of them do not intersect, participants will return to their cars several times in order to drive to different areas of the park; in other words, you can leave your food or extra clothes in your vehicle and get them later if you wish. You'll also have access to park restrooms at a couple of different locations.

As for the weather, the hike will take place regardless of the temperature. However, if it's raining or if the weather looks threatening, the event might be postponed until Sunday the 30th -- because attempting to hike 26 miles in the rain might prove to be difficult and probably not much fun.

The plan is to hike the trails in the same order as last year: Couchville Lake Arboretum Trail, Nature Loop, Inland Trail, Bluff Trail, Deer Trail, Group Camp Trail, Day Loop, Volunteer Trail, Couchville Glade Trail, Jones Mill Trail, Point Trail, Bryant-Grove Trail. The order is subject to change, but the hike will definitely start at Couchville Lake.

  

One more note: Mega-hikers will be forced to "cheat" a bit on the Volunteer Trail. As some of you know, the Volunteer Trail is a six-mile, one-way backpacking trail. If participants were to hike all the way to the end and back, it would be 12 miles total and they would be re-tracing their steps for six miles. Plus, it would be impossible to re-trace those six miles and hike all of the other trails before dark. So the plan is to hike to the halfway point of the Volunteer Trail and then turn around and walk back for a total of six miles; in other words, the total mileage will be the same as if he we had hiked the entire Volunteer Trail one way.

No pets, please.  Kids are welcome.

Directions to Couchville Lake parking lot: Enter Long Hunter State Park at the main park entrance (2910 Hobson Pike) and then take the first left (which is Area 2) and proceed to the parking lot beside Couchville Lake.

If you have further questions about the Long Hunter Mega-Hike, call the Long Hunter State Park office at 615-885-2422.  You can also keep up with all the latest news on the Long Hunter Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/longhunterstatepark

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tennessee Coneflower: A Conservation Success Story

By Jason Allen

A summer afternoon. 94 degrees. A hiking trail leads you to a large open area of exposed limestone and thin, gravelly soil. The sun bares down, the heat is intense, the ground is cracked. Not exactly prime conditions for most living things.

Then you look around and notice one particular plant that seems right at home: the Tennessee Coneflower. Its striking blooms are scattered all around this desert-like environment, emerging from what appears to be almost bare rock. In fact, they seem to be thriving here. But this wasn't always the case.

Botanist Augustin Gattinger first discovered this species in 1878 in Rutherford County. But for much of the 20th century, the Tennessee Coneflower was thought to be extinct until Vanderbilt biology professor Elsie Quarterman rediscovered it in Davidson County in 1968. In 1979, the plant became one of the first Tennessee wildflowers to be listed under the Federal Endangered Species Act.

In the years that followed, several local, state and federal agencies -- as well as landowners, volunteers and other individuals -- worked together to protect the plant's habitat and establish new colonies from seed. And now, thanks to 30-plus years of dedicated conservation work, the Tennessee Coneflower is expected to be removed from the endangered list later this summer.

For botanists, conservationists and nature lovers in general, the Tennessee Coneflower is one of Tennessee's brightest success stories.

"When I went to work at Cedars of Lebanon State Park in 1972, we were not to tell anyone where they were for fear the few remaining ones would become extinct," says Long Hunter State Park Manager Thurman Mullins. "It's great to see them make the comeback they have made."


Despite its resurgence, the Tennessee Coneflower will likely never become a widespread plant. It's found only in three U.S. counties -- Wilson, Davidson and Rutherford counties in Middle Tennessee. Within those counties it occurs only in the rare desert-like areas known as cedar glades, which are characterized by exposed limestone and thin, rocky soil surrounded by cedar trees.

From a distance, cedar glades might appear to be barren wastelands. Historically many of these areas were used for dumping grounds. But on closer inspection, there's a vibrant world of unique wildflowers, mosses, lichens, ferns, cactus, shrubs, and trees that do quite well here. Several cedar glades are now protected by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation under its State Natural Areas Program and are frequent destinations for school groups, hikers, photographers and botanists who marvel over the rare and unusual plants found there.

"The increased occurrence of this species and ease of access to sites offer an opportunity for us to educate students visiting from nearby schools and public program participants about the Tennessee Coneflower and cedar glades in general," says Tennessee State Parks Interpretive Specialist John Froeschauer. "It provides a forum for learning about the role of government in preserving the coneflower's unique habitat as well as other issues concerning endangered species."


The Tennessee Coneflower (scientific name Echinacea tennesseensis) is a remarkable plant in many ways. The first thing people tend to notice is the beauty of its long, slender, pinkish-purple petals. Unlike most coneflowers, whose petals droop downward, its rays spread outward or turn upward - giving it a robust, vibrant appearance.

And then there are the coarse hairy stems and leaves, which help the plant retain moisture during the hot, dry summer.

The plant is also noted for its long taproots, which creep down into the cracks of rocks, seeking out moisture. Because of these extra long roots, Tennessee Coneflower can't be dug up and replanted; it must be grown from seed.

Finally, the plant seems to defy all odds: It blooms during the hottest part of the year (from May to July, usually peaking in mid-June) in the most inhospitable of habitats. It's nature's ultimate survivor.


As of 2011, there are an estimated 900,000 Tennessee Coneflower plants in Wilson, Davidson and Rutherford Counties. About 75 percent of these occur naturally; the rest have been established from seed. Two of the largest natural populations occur at Couchville Cedar Glade (next to Long Hunter State Park) and Vesta Cedar Glade, near Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Both of these State Natural Areas are open to the public and include hiking trails that make it possible for everyone to see Tennessee Coneflower in its natural habitat.

Although Tennessee Coneflowers are well past their peak for 2011, it's not too late to see them in bloom. Long Hunter State Park conducts wildflower walks and tours of the Couchville Cedar Glade on a regular basis. Check Long Hunter's schedule of events at http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/LongHunter or their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/longhunterstatepark for more program information and times, or call the park office at 615-885-2422.

* * *

(Jason Allen is a Nashville-based naturalist and screenwriter)

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Long Hunter State Park Schedule - April 2011

Long Hunter State Park has announced its schedule for the month of April.  All programs are free and open to the public; no reservations are needed.  For more info on these programs or directions to the sites, call the park office at 615-885-2422.   
  
Get Fit "Step Into Spring" Event:  Saturday, April 2nd at 10 AM
Tennessee Health Commissioner Susan Cooper will join state and local government employees for an informal walk at Area 2/Couchville Lake. The event is tied to "Step Into Spring", an initiative to get state and local government employees outside to increase their physical activity.  Commissioner Cooper will be joined by country music artist Julie Roberts, who will be introduced as the newest spokesperson for Get Fit Tennessee.  The event is open to the public.  For more info, go to http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/promo/docs/step_into_spring.pdf.  * Please meet at the Area 2/Couchville Lake parking lot.  
 
Spring Wildflower Walk:  Sunday, April 3rd at 1 PM
Long Hunter's diverse habitat results in a wide variety of wildflowers.  The park's woodland trails are the best places to view blooms in early spring.  Take a leisurely walk with naturalist Jason Allen on the one-mile Inland Trail to see how many different species of wildflowers we can find.  For those participants who want to see some bonus blooms, we'll then drive to the nearby Nature Loop trail to check out a few more species of wildflowers. * Please meet at the Area 4 parking lot.

Couchville Lake Nature Hike:  Sunday, April 3rd at 4 PM
There's plenty going on at Couchville Lake this time of year: Purple Martins arriving, trees leafing out, wildflowers blooming, frogs calling, and much more.  Join naturalist Jason Allen on this easy two-mile walk on the scenic lake trail to seek out these first signs of spring.  The hike will last approximately two hours.  * Please meet at the Area 2/Couchville Lake parking lot.   

Preschool Story Time - The Nature Circle:  Monday, April 4th at 10 AM
"The Nature Circle" is an interactive group made up of nature-themed stories, puppets, songs, and crafts for ages 3-5. Children are encouraged to bring an item (examples: favorite book, stuffed animal, or photograph) to The Nature Circle that relates to each week's theme.  Join us each Monday morning as we develop and nurture our love of nature.  Participants should meet at the park office.  This week's theme: Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds!

Jones Mill Trailbuilding & Cleanup Day:  Saturday, April 9th at 9 AM
The Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail features 4.5 miles of trails, but an expansion is underway which will extend the length to 10 miles.  For those who wish to contribute to Long Hunter's newest trail, feel free to join us for a day of trailbuilding and litter removal along the wild and scenic Jones Mill Trail.  For those who choose to work on trailbuilding, tools will be provided; if you wish to help with the cleanup, trash bags will be provided.  Don't forget to wear sturdy shoes and bring water and snacks. * Please meet at the Jones Mill Mountain Bike Trail parking lot. 

Birds, Trees, Wildflowers & More!:  Saturday, April 9th at 3 PM
Although only one mile in length, Long Hunter's Inland Trail features an impressive variety of flora and fauna.  Wildflowers are common here in early spring, birds abound in the canopy, and some of the most impressive oak & hickory trees in the park can be found along this trail.  Take a slow-paced walk with a park naturalist and let's see how many different species of birds, trees and wildflowers we can identify.  * Please meet at the Area 4 parking lot.  

Natural Areas Week: Sunday, April 10th-Sunday April 17th: To celebrate the 40th anniversary of our State Natural Areas, more than 20 events have been scheduled to celebrate Tennessee State Natural Areas Week.  There will be hikes to such destinations as Short Springs State Natural Area, Savage Gulf, Taylor Hollow, Virgin Falls, Flat Rock SNA, Frozen Head, Walls of Jericho, and more.  To see a complete listing of all the hikes and programs, go to http://tn.gov/environment/na/events/seasonal.shtml.  

Preschool Story Time - The Nature Circle:  Monday, April 11th at 10 AM
"The Nature Circle" is an interactive group made up of nature-themed stories, puppets, songs, and crafts for ages 3-5. Children are encouraged to bring an item (examples: favorite book, stuffed animal, or photograph) to The Nature Circle that relates to each week's theme.  Join us each Monday morning as we develop and nurture our love of nature.  Participants should meet at the park office.  This week's theme: Remarkable Rabbits

Friends of Long Hunter Cookout & Night Hike:  Friday, April 15th at 6 PM
The Friends of Long Hunter State Park is a non-profit group which assists in protecting, preserving and promoting the beauty of Long Hunter State Park.  As a reward for the support of its many members, the group is holding a cookout and night hike at Couchville Lake.  Please keep in mind this is a "members only" event.  If you're a member and would like to RSVP for the cookout/night hike, please contact Erika Odom at nautical.gal8@yahoo.com; the deadline to RSVP is April 9th.  If you wish to join the Friends of Long Hunter or learn more info about the group, go to http://friendsoflonghunter.com/ or call 615-885-2422.    

Nashville Hiking Meetup Spring Picnic:  Sunday, April 17th at 12 noon
Nashville Hiking Meetup is an outdoor adventure and eco-volunteer club that plans hiking, camping and other outdoor events all over Tennessee throughout the year.  The group, which often hosts hikes/events at Long Hunter, will be holding its annual spring picnic at the Couchville Lake/Area 2 shelter.  If you're a member of Nashville Hiking Meetup, please go to http://www.nashvillehiking.com/ to RSVP for this event.  If you're not a member (membership is free), you can visit their website to sign up or learn more about the group.  

Natural Areas Week Hikes - Couchville Cedar Glade & Vesta Cedar Glade:  Sunday, April 17th at 3 PM
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Tennessee State Natural Areas, a wide variety of events have been scheduled across the state.  This "2-for-1" event will feature hikes to a pair of unique destinations: Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area and Vesta Cedar Glade State Natural Area.  Join naturalist Jason Allen for a leisurely stroll along the one-mile Couchville Glade trail, which is home to many unusual and rare wildflowers.  We'll then carpool to nearby Vesta Cedar Glade (about a 15-minute drive) and see what other flora and fauna we can discover.  The glades can be extremely hot on sunny days, so don't forget your hats and sunscreen!  * Please meet at Couchville Cedar Glade parking lot on South Mt. Juliet Rd.      

Preschool Story Time - The Nature Circle:  Monday, April 18th at 10 AM
"The Nature Circle" is an interactive group made up of nature-themed stories, puppets, songs, and crafts for ages 3-5. Children are encouraged to bring an item (examples: favorite book, stuffed animal, or photograph) to The Nature Circle that relates to each week's theme.  Join us each Monday morning as we develop and nurture our love of nature.  Participants should meet at the park office.  This week's theme: Eggs-travaganza!

Earth Day Hike At Couchville Cedar Glade:  Friday, April 22nd at 5 PM
Celebrate Earth Day with a relaxing evening stroll into Tennessee's "desert" -- the one-of-a-kind Couchville Cedar Glade.  This unique ecosystem features many rare wildflowers, including two federally endangered plant species: Tennessee Coneflower & Leafy Prairie Clover.  Tennessee's only native cactus -- the Prickly Pear -- is also common here.  We'll keep our eyes & ears open for songbirds, owls, nighthawks, whippoorwills & other wildlife which calls the glade their home.  * Please meet at Couchville Cedar Glade parking lot on South Mt. Juliet Rd.

Preschool Story Time - The Nature Circle:  Monday, April 25th at 10 AM
"The Nature Circle" is an interactive group made up of nature-themed stories, puppets, songs, and crafts for ages 3-5. Children are encouraged to bring an item (examples: favorite book, stuffed animal, or photograph) to The Nature Circle that relates to each week's theme.  Join us each Monday morning as we develop and nurture our love of nature.  Participants should meet at the park office.  This week's theme: Creek Connections

Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade Wildflower Festival:  Friday & Saturday, April 29th & 30th
Our "sister" park, Cedars of Lebanon, will host its 34th Annual Elsie Quarterman Cedar Glade Wildflower Festival on April 29th and 30th.  The event features guided hikes, guest speakers, seminars, crafts, booths, and more.  For additional information, go to http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/Cedars/ or call 615-443-2769.


 *** For updates, last-minute hikes, photos & other Long Hunter news, join us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/longhunterstatepark ***


Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Super Sunday Winter Ramble

Looking for a bit of adventure before the big game on Sunday?  Then join naturalist Jason Allen for a unique winter hike at Long Hunter State Park this Sunday, Feb. 6th at 11 a.m.  This will be a rare opportunity to hike several of Long Hunter's trails while also doing some off-trail exploring.  The event is free and open to the public. 
 
This moderately difficult hike will cover approximately six to eight miles and is expected to last until 5 p.m.  (The Super Bowl kicks off at 5:30 p.m.)  This will not be a fast-paced hike; there will be frequent stops for nature interpretation and discussions.  Tree identification, birds, and wild edibles are a few of the topics that will be discussed.  And since it's Super Bowl Sunday, there might even be a short break for some football tossing.
 
Participants should meet at the Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area parking lot on South Mt. Juliet Road (see below for directions). 
 
Although most of the terrain will be fairly flat, there will be some off-trail hiking -- so be prepared for occasional thickets/thorns, unstable footing, and mud.  Participants should wear sturdy shoes and bring snacks and water.  And don't forget your camera and binoculars if you have them.
 
Participants will hike sections of the Couchville Cedar Glade Trail, the Couchville Lake Trail, the Nature Loop, and the Bryant Grove Trail, while other parts of the hike will be off-trail and through the woods.
 
The Couchville Cedar Glade is one of Tennessee's most unique ecosystems.  This desert-like area is home to two federally endangered plants: Tennessee Coneflower and Leafy Prairie Clover.  The glade also features Tennessee's only native cactus: the Prickly Pear.  The Couchville Lake Trail is home to the only certified arboretum in Tennessee State Parks and is also great for wildlife viewing.  Deer, wild turkey, ducks, geese, shorebirds, owls, hawks, and osprey are all common here.  The Nature Loop is a short interpretive trail that visits forest, cedar glades, and limestone sinkholes.  The scenic Bryant Grove Trail winds along the shores of Percy Priest Lake and through a variety of unique habitats.
 
Keep in mind there will be no restroom facilities nearby for the majority of the hike.  However, at some point during the hike -- probably just past the halfway point -- restrooms will be available at the Couchville Lake area.  No pets are allowed on this hike, but kids are welcome.  The event will be held rain or shine.  (According to the latest National Weather Service extended forecast, Sunday will be mostly sunny with a high in the low 50's.)
 
Directions to Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area:From Nashville, take I-40 East to Mt. Juliet Road (Exit 226-A). Go south (right) for about 5 miles, then turn left on South Mt. Juliet Road as if you are going to Bryant Grove Recreation Area.  (There will be a sign with arrows pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area and the Mountain Bike Trail.)  Go about a half-mile on South Mt. Juliet Road and look for Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area (and the gravel parking lot) on the right.    
 
Or, take I-24 east to Old Hickory Boulevard (Exit 62). Go north (left) on SR-171 for about 8 miles, then turn right on South Mt. Juliet Road as if you are going to the Bryant Grove Recreation Area.  (There will be a sign with arrows pointing toward Bryant Grove Recreation Area and the Mountain Bike Trail.)  Go about a half-mile on South Mt. Juliet Road and look for Couchville Cedar Glade State Natural Area (and the gravel parking lot) on the right.
 
For further directions, contact the park office at 615-885-2422.