Day Hiking the Fiery Gizzard Trail to Raven Point Overlook

Anyone familiar with hiking in Tennessee has heard about the Fiery Gizzard Trail. Beginning with speculation over how the trail obtained its name, including the popular claim describing how Davy Crockett burned his tongue eating a hot gizzard in the gorge, to the recognition it receives today as one of Backpacker magazine's top 25 hiking trails in the U.S., the Fiery Gizzard stands apart among hiking aficionados in the Southeast.

Beginning in the Grundy Forest State Natural Area, I would walk the Grundy Forest Day Loop clockwise to the Fiery Gizzard, hiking this challenging trail to Raven Point Overlook where I'd stop for lunch. The Dog Hole Trail would be my path back to the Fiery Gizzard, from which I'd retrace my steps to the day loop. Continuing clockwise along this loop trail, I would return to the parking area having hiked a total of 10.2 miles.

Blue Hole Falls

 

From the moment you step foot on the trail, the scenery is nothing short of spectacular. From giant boulders and amazing rock formations to the beauty and sound of the Big and Little Fiery Gizzard Creeks, this tour through the gorge is a ruggedly unique experience that lives up to its legendary reputation.

 

Black Canyon

 



The hike through the gorge is treacherous at times. There are several rock fields you must cross and many of these rocks will wobble when you step on them. I can't imagine carrying a backpack down through here, though I know people do this. Even without the burden of a backpack, I soon grew weary of traversing the rocky landscape.

 

One of the many rocky sections of the trail

 

The rocks notwithstanding, I was moving quickly. The park locks it gates at sundown, and I wanted to make sure I was finished before then. This didn't keep me from stopping quite frequently for pictures, however. In the days before digital photography, I would have needed an additional roll of film for this hike. At 1.2 miles, I was standing in front of Chimney Rock and out came my camera yet again.

 

Chimney Rock

 

A tenth of a mile later, I arrived at a short spur trail leading to Sycamore Falls. I reached for my camera, beginning to wonder if the zipper on my camera case would make it through the day.

 

Sycamore Falls

 

Back on the main trail, the junction with the Dog Hole Trail is passed on the left. If you're looking for an easier path to Raven Point, this is the trail to take. I continued straight on the Fiery Gizzard and a half-mile later entered the "Fruit Bowl." These are giant boulders piled along the bottom of the gorge.

 

The Fruit Bowl

 

The trail reconnects with the creek and 1.7 miles later begins its very steep ascent out of the gorge. This is another section of trail upon which I can't see myself carrying a backpack. I believe I would have been on all fours climbing out of here if I had been shouldering an overnight pack. Somewhere about halfway up the face of the gorge, before the steepest part of the climb, I stopped for a box of raisins and admired the beauty which enveloped me. The sun was out, the trees were clinging to some fall color, and with nobody else around, the majestic wonder of my surroundings was truly tranquilizing.

 

Wet-weather falls just off the trail in the gorge

 

Now out of the gorge and on top of the Cumberland Plateau, it was 0.4 miles to Raven Point Overlook. With the sun shining brightly, this was the perfect place for lunch, as it was now 11:00 o'clock. I had been on the trail for three hours and, with the hardest part of the hike behind me, could finally relax in the comfort of knowing the Dog Hole Trail would lead me gently back to the tamer section of the Fiery Gizzard. My sandwich at the overlook attracted the attention of two buzzards. One of them skirted by at eye-level maybe 30 feet off the overlook before thankfully losing interest.

 

Lunch time at Raven Point

 

The Dog Hole Trail was piece of cake, and before long I was at the spur trail leading to Werner Point Overlook, 1.3 trail miles northwest of Raven Point.

 

View from Werner Point Overlook

 

A spur trail to Yellow Pine Falls is encountered 0.7 miles later and from there it's another 1.2 miles before rejoining the Fiery Gizzard Trail down in the gorge. Hike along this relatively easy section of the trail for 0.8 miles and reach the junction with the day loop trail. I finished out the remaining 1.3 miles of the day loop and emerged from the woods just after 1:30 p.m. for a total trail time of just over 5.5 hours. Another great hike in Tennessee's South Cumberland!

 

The ruggedness of the gorge is a sight to behold, but take care