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While you may be acquainted with Tennessee's State Park System, you may know less about the state's State Natural Area Program, the purpose of which is to protect Tennessee's rare and endangered plant and animal life on qualifying public & private lands.
Evins Mill was designated a State Natural Area in the late 1990s and is one of only twelve privately owned lands so designated. To commemorate this program, the State is hosting a series of guided tours of State Natural Areas, including one at Evins Mill on Saturday, June 7.
Starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Main Lodge, David Withers, a zoologist with the TN Division of Natural Areas, will lead the tour, which will feature a hike to Carmac Falls. See below for a detailed description of the flora and fauna you may encounter along the way.
The guided walk includes a gourmet box lunch and is $20 per guest. To make reservations, call 615.269.3740 (nashville) or 615.286.2090 (smithville) by this Friday, June 6.
Evins Mill was designated a State Natural Area in the late 1990s and is one of only twelve privately owned lands so designated. To commemorate this program, the State is hosting a series of guided tours of State Natural Areas, including one at Evins Mill on Saturday, June 7.
Starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Main Lodge, David Withers, a zoologist with the TN Division of Natural Areas, will lead the tour, which will feature a hike to Carmac Falls. See below for a detailed description of the flora and fauna you may encounter along the way.
The guided walk includes a gourmet box lunch and is $20 per guest. To make reservations, call 615.269.3740 (nashville) or 615.286.2090 (smithville) by this Friday, June 6.
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The tour begins at the Main Lodge at Evins Mill and continues past the historic Gristmill and east along the rim of the bluff overlooking the falls. It then descends approximately 100 feet, cutting through the Chattanooga Shale to the limestones below. The trail follows an unnamed tributary to Fall Creek, providing an up close look as the creek cuts through the shale and other strata.
The tour begins at the Main Lodge at Evins Mill and continues past the historic Gristmill and east along the rim of the bluff overlooking the falls. It then descends approximately 100 feet, cutting through the Chattanooga Shale to the limestones below. The trail follows an unnamed tributary to Fall Creek, providing an up close look as the creek cuts through the shale and other strata.
Vegetation along the upper trail features more acid-tolerant species, including mountain laurel, holly, maple-leaved viburnum, and eastern hemlock. Large-leaved grass-of-parnassus as well as butternut may be visible at the base of the falls. Animal species may include native Allegheny woodrat and Short Mountain crayfish.
The terrain is uneven, so wear sturdy shoes you don’t mind getting muddy and wet, and bring a change of clothes, towels, and footwear. Expect to be on the trail for up to two hours. Bring plenty of water and appropriate outerwear, and lunch to enjoy by the falls.
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