In early Spring 2019, I completed the Sewanee Creek Trail from the top of the bluff near the 'Triple Castle' rock outcropping all the way down to Sewanee Creek (about a 400' drop in elevation from 1,800' to 1,400'). Soon thereafter, I found an easier path to the creek from about 2/3 of the way down, going westward to the creek, thus creating what has become (at least for me) a commonly-used loop toward the bottom...a gentle way down and a steep way back up to where the two paths split.
 |
| Castle #2 |
Cool features of the Sewanee Creek Trail include the 'Triple Castle' feature at the outset. This feature consists of three rock outcroppings end-to-end that can be negotiated, with the last (3rd) outcropping providing an incredible view of the entire Sewanee Creek Gulf. I have taken visitors to, and personally photographed the Triple Castle feature on several occasions.
 |
| Gary Stephes and Joe Nerio (hiking friends) |
 |
| Castle #3 |
 |
| Rock Shelter from Creek |
 |
| Easy-route view of Creek |
There is the trail itself, that passes through multiple bluff regions, a substantial rock field, large trees (featuring, among other species, large hemlock and beech trees in abundance), a cave-like rock shelter (steep route) and a lower flat area from which the Creek can be easily viewed (easy route).
 |
| Cave on opposite side of Creek |
 |
| Close up view of entrance area |
There is a substantial cave on the opposite side of the Creek waiting to be explored.
There is the 'island', that is special in and of itself.
 |
| The "Island" |
There is the stream of water that flows out of the the side of the mountain, that, during dry periods, exhibits greater flow than Sewanee Creek, itself.
 |
| Grant Miller observing stream flowing from inside the mountain |
 |
| Sewanee Creek funneled |
 |
| Same creek bed during dry season |
There is 'the narrows,' where the stream is funneled, and the floor of the stream consists of large smooth slabs of rock, jigsaw puzzled together, creating a table-top stream bed.
There is so much more to explore, both upstream and downstream. I have done some exploration, and plan to do much more in the future.
Creating additional trails leading to Sewanee Creek, and ultimately connecting to the trail I have already built, could be done. I'm thinking primarily of Miller Creek downstream, and the Creek on Lot #21 upstream, both of which feed into Sewanee Creek and both of which have substantial waterfalls that would make these additional trails highly desirable.
