It's that time of year again: The Eighth Annual Long Hunter Mega-Hike is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24th 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 the Friends of Long Hunter State Park hike leaders at the Couchville Lake parking lot (in Area 2) at approximately 6:45 a.m. 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 slight chance hikers could still be out on the trails after dark - so participants might want to bring a flashlight or light source just in case.
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. (A certificate listing previous year's survivors is currently on display in the park visitor center.) There's also the possibility of your photo appearing in a newspaper or on a website. (Two years ago The Tennessean showed up for the event, and the following day there was a nice story about the mega-hike and a photo gallery.) 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 the following day (Sunday the 25th) 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 previous years: 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.
No pets, please. Kids are welcome.
Since this hike is being organized, led and sponsored by the non-profit Friends of Long Hunter State Park group, donations are welcome. Many of the park's hikes and events are organized and led by Friends of Long Hunter volunteers. Most of the supplies for the park's educational programs -- not to mention snacks for Campfire Night, Trivia Night and other events -- are also purchased by the Friends group. To donate to the group or become a member, please go to http://www.friendsoflonghunter.com/membership.html
Since this hike is being organized, led and sponsored by the non-profit Friends of Long Hunter State Park group, donations are welcome. Many of the park's hikes and events are organized and led by Friends of Long Hunter volunteers. Most of the supplies for the park's educational programs -- not to mention snacks for Campfire Night, Trivia Night and other events -- are also purchased by the Friends group. To donate to the group or become a member, please go to http://www.friendsoflonghunter.com/membership.html
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.
