By: Tom Borschel
Being a Rocky mountain, Sierra, Wasatch, Teton, high desert kind of guy, it was a pleasant surprise to find a gem of a trail on the other side of the country in lush southern Tennessee. I had the opportunity to participate as part of the Rock/Creek StumpJump weekend in early October outside Chattanooga. The race course traverses a section of the 300+ mile long Cumberland Trail. The trail runs along the Cumberland Plateau from Chattanooga to Cumberland Gap and is the creation of the Cumberland Trail Conference, a non-profit organization. Put on by Rock/Creek, the StumpJump 50K are considered one of the premier 50K’s in the Southeast.
The enthusiastic and gracious Dawson and Stephanie Wheeler, and memorable hound sometimes known as “General Patton” (when in costume) hosted me high on the ridge overlooking Chattanooga.
The race starts at the newly constructed Signal Mountain High School. The trail used for the race has three distinct sections that provide area runners and hikers several options based on ability and time. There is a 5km loop surrounding the school that is part of the start and finish of the race. This is also the high school cross country course, a bit wider for passing, maintained gravelly sections, with ups and downs, bridge crossings through the loose forest. From this loop the next section of the trail will turn into a narrow single track and head out the main drag to the precarious Mushroom Rock. Links for the comprehensive course description with mileage and detailed maps are below, and online at Rock Creek
From Mushroom Rock one drops a precarious 400’ in a rocky half a mile. Several switchbacks, steep sections and tight trees make good balance mandatory. Traversing a ledge under a large rock outcrop turned out to be a gauntlet as many angry wasps were aroused by the passing hoard. A swinging bridge was crossed and another steep stair like climb 450’up to the next ridge. Some logs and stumps were hurdled along the ridge before plummeting down the next gorge to Suck Creek. Crossing the bridge and touching the traffic guard rail at this aid station signaled the turn around for the 11 milers, curious as maps and description have this at 6.11 miles. Maybe more of a 20k than 11 mile as evidenced by the winning times in 2008? Gracious competitors gave way to the leaders of the shorter event as passing the entire field on the return through the gnarly, narrow path was extremely challenging.
The impressive 50k competitors continued on for another 4.5 miles climbing up and down out of the Suck Creek gorge then contouring around, above steep terrain with vistas of the Tennessee River far below until reaching Indian Rock House aid station. From here one takes on the 9.76 mile Mullins Cove Loop returning to Indian Rock House.
Two thirds of the course complete now, the athletes must return via the steep ups and downs, encircling the high school again while distant cheers are heard the entire final 5km spiral loop the welcome finish line. Awesome volunteers at aid stations wonderful post race nourishment and best of all $9,000 was raised last year for trails, with $3,500 going to the Cumberland Trail Conference, which continues to negotiate with land owners and numerous agencies to add to the wonderful trail system. A definite adventure to add anyone's list!Read More...