TennesseeBackpacker.com
Savage Gulf Natural Area
Savage Gulf Ranger Station
Route 1, P.O. Box 253
Palmer, TN 37365,
Visitor Information:
(931) 779-3532
http://www.tn.gov/environment/parks/SouthCumberland/features/hiking.shtml
Down the Gorge
The nearly 16,000 acre Savage Gulf Natural Area is part of the South Cumberland State Park. Located near Altamont, Tennessee, Savage Gulf has some of the best scenery found in Tennessee's park system.
Across the Gorge
Hobb's Cabin
Hobb's Cabin is the only camping cabin in the Tennessee State Park system. It's a welcome shelter on a cold or rainy hike. The cabin is on a first come, first served basis and only sleeps 6 so there's no guarantee of getting a spot inside after the 9 mile hike to reach it. There's a campsite adjacent to the cabin so we come prepared with our tents just in case. There's a spring and small creek directly behind the cabin for easy water fetching, but they can run pretty dry during the summer months.
Hobb's Cabin Rear
Savage Gulf Sunset
I obviously enjoy sunsets and this was one of my favorites.
Road and Park Map (Courtesy TN State Parks)
Savage Falls
It's hard to put the camera down in Savage Falls with the abundant streams, waterfalls, limestone bluffs and more.
Savage Creek
The Park Service officially announced the presence of bears at Savage Gulf in August of 2009 (read the announcement here). This adds an interesting new element to this area.
Copperhead
This area is known for it's copperhead and rattlesnake populations. We've run into both, particularly copperheads. As long as you pay attention to where you're stepping and reaching, they should never be a problem and are actually really interesting to watch.
Flowers
These were in bloom on our last hike in Savage Gulf and covered solid acres of area in some places.
Bigfoot
Trail Map (Courtesy TN State Parks)
