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BRITTON FORD HIKING TRAIL
by
Steve McCadams
www.stevemccadams.com
October 12th, 2007
It’s that time of year – don’t you just want to be outdoors? The days
are finally cooler, what better time to enjoy the fall weather and take a
walk on a nature trail? Fortunately, Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge
offers the Britton Ford Hiking Trail only 15 minutes from Paris. This
2.5-mile trail is open to everyone every day, but on Saturday morning on
October 20 we have a special trail event for women and girls who love
nature.
Remembering the high success last year, the refuge is bringing back a
special “Girl Friends Day” on October 21st from 9:00 – 12:00 pm at the
Britton Ford Hiking Trail. This special activity is for women only and is
sponsored by the Friends of Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. The event
features a guided nature hike led by Brittney Viers, a current graduate
student at Murray State University. Of course, for those hikers just
wishing to stretch their legs in a beautiful setting and go at their own
pace, the trail awaits you too.
Britton Ford Hiking Trail is a 2 mile loop trail with a ½ mile
extension. The trail is a woodland trail featuring several overlook views
of Kentucky Lake. One such overlook is only ¼ mile from the parking lot,
offering a view to those not wishing a longer hike. The trail offers tree
identification, interpretive signs and an outdoor classroom at the
trailhead. It has been a favorite for classroom and home school field
trips, as well as girl and boy scout troop outings. The trailhead itself
is situated on a hill with a spectacular panoramic view of the lake on the
refuge and Sulphur Well Island.
For all hikers an optional box lunch is available at the completion of
the hike, for a nominal cost of $5.00 each – reservations required.
Hikers are also welcome to bring their own picnic lunches. For those
wishing to reserve a box lunch or for more information, please call the
refuge office at 731-642-2091. Hikers coming from Paris will take highway
79 N. and turn right on Nobles Road just before the Tacklebox convenient
store. At the end of that road turn left onto Elkhorn Road. At a sharp
curve to the left go straight onto a lesser paved road which soon turn to
gravel. Signs will direct you to the Britton Ford trailhead. Hikers
coming from Kentucky Lake will take 79 South, turning left onto Oak Grove
Road. At the end of that road turn left onto Elkhorn Road and follow the
directions above.
The Girl Friends Day is organized and arranged by Friends of Tennessee
National Wildlife Refuge. This organization was formed as a support group
for the management activities and the promotion of the refuge. In its
short history, the group has gathered more than 200 members, restored 3
miles of shoreline habitat, created the Refuge Discovery Series, held
dozens of events on and off the refuge, partnered with local community
organizations to help restore Chickasaw National Recreation Trail on Big
Sandy Peninsula, and will be holding it’s first ever wildlife art show on
October 27th.
For more information about Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge and our
Friends group we invite you to visit the refuge website at
http://www.fws.gov/tennesseerefuge/ and the Friends Group website
at www.tnwrfriends.org
Steve McCadams is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing
area. He has also contributed many outdoor oriented articles to
various national publications. |
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