STA Hike leaders Sally Watson and Theresa Foss are leading this First Day Hike of 7 miles for the Sheltowee Trace Association. To attend, please text "TWINARCHES" and your name to 606-308-0625. Thanks!

We will meet at the parking lot for Charit Creek Lodge on Fork Ridge Road at 9:00 a.m. central (10:00 am Eastern) and hike the mile along the Sheltowee Trace down to Charit Creek Lodge - one of the oldest structures in use by the National Park Service - going down a small ladder and crossing a swinging bridge. Then we will hike the 4.6-mile Twin Arches Loop Trail, check out the view from the top of the arches, and visit an impressive rock shelter along the way. The loop has a 790-foot elevation change. The return trip back up the Sheltowee Trace has a 523-foot elevation climb.

One of the most popular hikes in the BSFNRA, the Twin Arches Loop offers the largest natural bridge complex in the State of Tennessee.

You will need water, lunch, snacks, and hiking poles if you use 'em

Watch our social media pages for weather decision if rain or snow is predicted. This is moderately difficult hike.

Directions to trail head - Most common way is to find your way to Oneida Tennessee and follow the signs to Big South Fork Park. Stay on highway 297 past the Headquarters, past Leatherwood Ford and Bandycreek. 297 intersects with 154 where you turn right. Follow 154 toward Pickett State Park. Before Pickett turn right onto Divide Road at the sign for Charit Lodge.. This is a dirt and gravel road and you stay on this road for about 2 miles til you turn right on the access road to Charit Lodge. Stay on this road til it dead-ins at the lodge parking lot.

Join Executive Director, Steve Barbour at 1000 am on a 4 mile out and back hike from the Highway 192 trail head to Van Hook Falls and return.

To attend, please text "VanHook" and your name to 606-308-0625.

Dress for the weather, bring water and snacks. This is about a 3-hour hike as a group. There are several water crossings where you may need to remove your boots or rock hop. All hikes are weather permitted. Check our social media page before leaving for the trail head for a weather decision if rain or snow is predicted.

Directions to trail head - Take Exit 38 and head west away from London. Stay on 192 for about 15 miles and you will arrive at the trail head on the left.

If you can’t hike with us, you can still participate in the First Day Hike program. Take the kids, take your friends and hike a trail in a local state park, local county or city park or just walk around the block.

The point is, let’s all get out on New Years and enjoy some fresh air.