David Haskell speaks about the Friends at Trails & Trilliums
David Haskell, author of the acclaimed book, The Forest Unseen, talks about the Friends during the Wine & Wildflowers event at Trails and Trilliums. Haskell was honored as the recipient of the Yeatman Environmental Education Award.
David Haskell, author of the acclaimed book, The Forest Unseen, talks about the Friends during the Wine & Wildflowers event at Trails and Trilliums. Haskell was honored as the recipient of the Yeatman Environmental Education Award.
Second Savage Gulf Marathon: "Brutal Yet Beautiful"
On March 16, the second Savage Gulf Marathon, a 26-mile race through the heart of Savage Gulf State Natural Area, was tackled by 65 ambitious runners from all across the region. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Park Rangers Association with assistance from the Friends of South Cumberland. The winner, who set a new course record, was Brian Schmidt or Leesburg VA, with a time of 4:21:04! The course began at Great Stone Door, included the Collins Loop, wound up Big Creek trail to the top at Alum Gap and back to the Stone Door. The runners called the trail “brutal yet beautiful.” One described the course as “barbaric, uncivilized, viscous, and merciless with boulder after boulder mixed in amongst rocky creek beds and hundreds of roots over the 26.2 miles. However, it is the most beautiful race I’ve done. It has 10 waterfalls, swinging bridges, mixed in with over 5,000 ft. of elevation gain and 5,000 ft of elevation loss as well.”
On March 16, the second Savage Gulf Marathon, a 26-mile race through the heart of Savage Gulf State Natural Area, was tackled by 65 ambitious runners from all across the region. The event is sponsored by the Tennessee Park Rangers Association with assistance from the Friends of South Cumberland. The winner, who set a new course record, was Brian Schmidt or Leesburg VA, with a time of 4:21:04! The course began at Great Stone Door, included the Collins Loop, wound up Big Creek trail to the top at Alum Gap and back to the Stone Door. The runners called the trail “brutal yet beautiful.” One described the course as “barbaric, uncivilized, viscous, and merciless with boulder after boulder mixed in amongst rocky creek beds and hundreds of roots over the 26.2 miles. However, it is the most beautiful race I’ve done. It has 10 waterfalls, swinging bridges, mixed in with over 5,000 ft. of elevation gain and 5,000 ft of elevation loss as well.”
photo provided by Jessica Phillips
Racers descending rock steps below Stone Door
Racers descending rock steps below Stone Door
George poses with a group of Grundy County fifth
graders after leading them on a Stone Door hike.
George Shinn Chosen Ranger of the Year in
Tennessee!
George Shinn, who has been a South Cumberland State Park ranger for 13 years and is stationed at Savage Gulf, was recently selected Park Ranger of the Year by the Tennessee Park Rangers Association. According to fellow South Cumberland ranger Bill Knapp, “George is an honest, organized, and professional ranger. He supports his co-workers however he can. He is there to bring up morale or to lend a helping hand.” Park Manager John Christof added, "Ranger George Shinn works in a very large and complex park. Many park managers in the Tennessee State Park system are responsible for parks much smaller than the area the one he is assigned to and have more help to operate their parks. We are happy that George has been recognized by his peers for the good work he does at Savage Gulf."
George Shinn, who has been a South Cumberland State Park ranger for 13 years and is stationed at Savage Gulf, was recently selected Park Ranger of the Year by the Tennessee Park Rangers Association. According to fellow South Cumberland ranger Bill Knapp, “George is an honest, organized, and professional ranger. He supports his co-workers however he can. He is there to bring up morale or to lend a helping hand.” Park Manager John Christof added, "Ranger George Shinn works in a very large and complex park. Many park managers in the Tennessee State Park system are responsible for parks much smaller than the area the one he is assigned to and have more help to operate their parks. We are happy that George has been recognized by his peers for the good work he does at Savage Gulf."
Rangers can now be seen on two wheels instead of four,
thanks to a gift of 3 mountain bikes from the Friends of
South Cumberland State Park. At left, Ranger Jason
Reynolds and Park Manager John Christof.
FSC Purchases Mountain Bikes for
South Cumberland Rangers
In December, South Cumberland State Park manager John Christof came to the Friends of South Cumberland Board with a unique request. The rangers want bikes! Across the country, park rangers are finding that bikes are ideal for use in the backcountry. The SC rangers believed that for some of their duties they could exchange their pickup trucks and 4-wheelers for mountain bikes, which are more environmentally friendly.
The Friends of South Cumberland (FSC) was delighted to fund this request. Ten-Year Ranger Jason Reynolds, who implemented the project, said, “Access to state money is always a problem, and with the current budget restraints, the purchasing of ‘non essentials’ is even more difficult. Thank goodness we've got a lovely stock of excellent Friends who always come through!” The three Trek mountain bikes outfitted with racks and packs cost $650 each. “We try to purchase locally when possible,” Reynolds said, “and Woody Deutsch of Woody’s Bicycles in Sewanee helped us out on the cost.” Currently one bike is stationed at Stone Door, one at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, and one at the Visitors Center/Fiery Gizzard.
South Cumberland Rangers
In December, South Cumberland State Park manager John Christof came to the Friends of South Cumberland Board with a unique request. The rangers want bikes! Across the country, park rangers are finding that bikes are ideal for use in the backcountry. The SC rangers believed that for some of their duties they could exchange their pickup trucks and 4-wheelers for mountain bikes, which are more environmentally friendly.
The Friends of South Cumberland (FSC) was delighted to fund this request. Ten-Year Ranger Jason Reynolds, who implemented the project, said, “Access to state money is always a problem, and with the current budget restraints, the purchasing of ‘non essentials’ is even more difficult. Thank goodness we've got a lovely stock of excellent Friends who always come through!” The three Trek mountain bikes outfitted with racks and packs cost $650 each. “We try to purchase locally when possible,” Reynolds said, “and Woody Deutsch of Woody’s Bicycles in Sewanee helped us out on the cost.” Currently one bike is stationed at Stone Door, one at the Savage Gulf Ranger Station, and one at the Visitors Center/Fiery Gizzard.
click photo to play 2 minute video
The Friends of South
Cumberland State Recreation
Area, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit
public benefit corporation.
Eric Dempsey Receives Jim Prince Award
At the Friends of South Cumberland Annual Meeting on June 8, Eric Dempsey of Gruetli Laager was presented with the prestigious Jim Prince Award for outstanding service to the South Cumberland State Park and the FSC. A longtime board member, Dempseyserves as web designer and webmaster for the FSC website, which has 1500 subscribed members. He is also a gifted photographer and videographer, and his outstanding images of the park can be seen on this website and in print pieces. Eric, center, is shown receiving the award from FSC President Ty Burnette and Board Member Mary Priestley. Over 50 people attended the Annual Meeting and picnic, which was held at the State Park Visitor's Center.
At the Friends of South Cumberland Annual Meeting on June 8, Eric Dempsey of Gruetli Laager was presented with the prestigious Jim Prince Award for outstanding service to the South Cumberland State Park and the FSC. A longtime board member, Dempseyserves as web designer and webmaster for the FSC website, which has 1500 subscribed members. He is also a gifted photographer and videographer, and his outstanding images of the park can be seen on this website and in print pieces. Eric, center, is shown receiving the award from FSC President Ty Burnette and Board Member Mary Priestley. Over 50 people attended the Annual Meeting and picnic, which was held at the State Park Visitor's Center.
photo provided by Charles Blankenship