RIVER TO CLOUD TRAIL 36 MILE DAY HIKE CHATTANOOGA'S NEW TRAIL

36 miles in one day. Why? Well, I asked myself that when I signed up for this challenge. The Lula Lake Land Trust has connected the trails at Cloudland Canyon State Park in Trenton Georgia to the Lookout Mountains Trails near Covenant College and beyond to the Chickamauga Battle Grounds and Ruby Falls in Tennessee. There are really no places to camp along this area. As a result, the challenge, if you want to hike the whole trail in one day is a 36 mile thru-hike. So, I joined with a bunch of guys and attempted the challenge. What an amazing day. Follow along as I complete this 36 mile challenge. #backpacking #hiking #hikertrash
About the River to Clouds Trail:
Approximately 34 miles in length, the route begins at Cloudland Canyon State Park near Rising Fawn, Georgia, and follows the mountain north to the base of Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee where it connects to Chattanooga’s Greenway System. This multi-use route is open to bicycles and foot travel, consisting of both single and double-track trails.
The RCR challenges the most seasoned adventure cyclists, runners, and hikers. Users can expect to encounter rocky technical sections, scenic overlooks, tumbling mountain streams, waterfalls, hidden hollers, unique rock formations, abandoned mines, and several historical sites.
The River to Clouds Route links together several public lands managed by different organizations, including Lookout Mountain Conservancy, National Park Service, Lula Lake Land Trust, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, Covenant College, and Georgia State Parks. To find out where you can park overnight and camp, please consult the map and make sure to follow the rules and guidelines set by each land manager.
Lula Lake Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of lands located within the Rock Creek watershed on Lookout Mountain. LLLT's mission is to preserve the natural and historic landscapes surrounding Rock Creek and Bear Creek and their tributaries through conservation, education, and low-impact recreation. Since 1994, LLLT has helped conserve over 12,000 acres and built over 60-miles of trails on Lookout Mountain. The RCR utilizes LLLT’s Moonshine and Core Preserve trails. A permit is required to pass through LLLT's Core Preserve property via foot or bike only (no parking permitted). Permits are $5.
Covenant College was founded in 1955, Covenant College, also known as "the Castle in the Clouds" is a Christian liberal arts college on Lookout Mountain. Offering undergraduate programs and a master of arts in teaching, Covenant seeks to explore and express the preeminence of Jesus Christ in all things. We inspire and equip our students to be faithful stewards of their God-given abilities and our nationally-ranked academic programs are rigorously taught through a biblical lens by expert professors. Our Christ-centered education and community transform how students learn and what they learn-giving renewed meaning to the pursuit of knowledge, calling, and career.
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE - CHICKAMAUGA AND CHATTANOOGA MILITARY PARK
More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 425 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. The Park is open sunrise to sunset. Overnight parking is not allowed. Camping is not allowed
NATIONAL PARK PARTNERS OF CHICKAMAUGA, CHATTANOOGA, AND MOCCASIN BEND
National Park Partners champions the conservation of the natural, historic, and cultural resources of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, including Moccasin Bend National Archeological District. Six unique park units totaling more than 9,000 acres are accessible by 80 miles of multi-use trails, and this landscape contains 12,000 years of human history that shaped our city, our region, and our nation. We grow Chattanooga’s National Park legacy as the official nonprofit partner of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Join National Park Partners in respecting the past, investing in the present, and preserving for the future.

[@Packsalot]

Well done. If you would have fizzled on the last section, at least you would have some moonshine to ease the pain. LOL. Well, do it once more and you have almost completed the Highline in 2 days of hiking instead of 6! Take care and have a great day.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks Packs! Moonshine. 😂😂😂 It was a cool adventure ✌️

[@rickiecc]

Congratulations to one and all on a great accomplishment!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks Rick! It was a fun day. ✌️

[@anninwhack1998]

What a beautiful hike! Thanks for taking us along!!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks so much! This was a fun adventure ✌️

[@ArielleViking]

Beautiful hike and lots of classic Crow commentary, love it 👍🏻❤️

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks so much! We had a blast. ✌️

[@SeniorHiker77]

Unbelievable, you guys are really awesome.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It was a fun day John. ✌️

[@ygonzales2599]

You all crazy! For sure an amazing experience! Great job Crow! You aren’t too old after all

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It was an amazing experience. Thanks for watching it. Crow✌️

[@nauticalknotcraft]

A very ambitious hike. Well done on a nice trail. Time to soak in a hot tub.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Absolutely! 💯 😂✌️

[@roselee_explores]

That's awesome! Looks like a fantastic trail - definitely adding it to the list! 😃

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

You would love it! We had a blast. Crow✌️

[@PFAM5]

Great job! Glad your eye situation was taken care of.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks my friend. It was such an amazing day. Crow✌️

[@JBENHIKES]

#BeastMode !!!!! Congrats on a new total miles hiked in -day !

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It was a blast Jeff. ✌️

[@erikalfan1027]

What a great video you shared I'm happy to see it

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks so much for watching ✌️

[@thriveregionalpartnership3792]

Wow! Way to go. You just trekked across three counties and two states. No small feat. Hope you had a great adventure!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It was so much fun. I highly recommend that trail. 😊🙏

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Great job brother. Beast mode!!!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

😊🙏

[@deputyowl]

Awesome hike, we're going to be at Cloudland State Park next weekend 😀

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It is such a beautiful place. Crow✌️

[@debbiesnow2121]

Looks like a lot of fun! Could be a new hiking challenge from “As the Crow Flies Hiking” lol! Way to go!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

😂✌️ It was a blast! 🙏

[@marktodhunter8397]

Great video I carry 2 extra pairs of contacts and my glasses. In low lighting or hiking in the dark i learned to wear clear safery glasses to prevent getting poked in the eye. Been there. Thats why I carry my glasses and spare contacts.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

I may start wearing safety glasses…that was a little scary. I thought I had a laceration in my eye…which would have been bad. Luckily, it was just a torn contact.

[@cachemacstrailtime]

What a fun challenge. Congratulations. I still haven't pushed over 30 miles yet.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

This was a cool challenge. The elevation wasn’t extreme. So, it was manageable. It’s a great new trail in Chattanooga

[@cottontalesfromthetrail5474]

Congratulations! Not many places any prettier than Lookout Mountain where my mother was born and raised. Happy Hiking

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It was amazing! Appreciate it my friend. ✌️

[@WanderingMonkHikes]

Man, you’ve got me! I’m not sure I could do half that distance. I salute you brother!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It was such a wonderful day. We had a blast. Thanks for watching it. Crow✌️

[@ygonzales2599]

“i am not saying I am gonna make it, I am saying I am still vertical right now”😂😂😂😂

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

😂😂😂

[@joshck93]

Awesome job on the video

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks Josh! Glad we could share that day. It was so much fun. ✌️

[@MinuteontheMountain]

You are a beast, brother. No way, I'm making 36 miles in a day. Great job.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

It was so much fun. I had a blast. Crow✌️

[@UltraEliteStu]

Savages all of you. Great job Crow!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Thanks Stu! ✌️

[@joshck93]

That was definitely a fun day. Too bad it took me a week to recover...lol!!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

Had a blast handing out with you Josh. Let’s do it again. ✌️

[@faithgmcb]

Hoping to attempt this trail as the weather cools! Were you guys able to park in the Sitton’s lot at that hour to start? I was under the impression the gate didn’t open until 7 AM.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

We thought the same thing. But, for whatever reason, it was open at 4am when we got there. Not sure of the consistency of that. We were able to park though. 👍🏻

[@faithgmcb]

@@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING Thanks! That’s good news! Hopefully I’ll have the same luck.

[@Adam-x4f1x]

I’ve been considering this trail, is there designated camping along this route? Thanks

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

I have heard that they added campsites “3” at Lula Lake, but, I have not confirmed that.

[@Lil_Red_Caboose]

How many times did you ask the question “Why do I agree to these things”? 😂 Congrats!

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

I’m a gluten for punishment. Plus, I’m just an adventure junkie. You are too! 😂✌️

[@Lil_Red_Caboose]

@@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING HAHA yes I am. I was thinking while watching it that I plan on attempting this.

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

@Lil_Red_Caboose - It is an awesome hike. I was told they have added campsites in the Lula Lake area…which is half way…so, that might be an option.

[@LousyFIBs]

That's a long hike....

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

We had a blast. ✌️

[@creek_camper]

😀👍👍👍✝️

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

😊✌️

[@rone7927]

Why would someone with a bad knee go 36 miles in one day?

[@ASTHECROWFLIESHIKING]

An insane person…😂✌️