Sunset Rock via Bluff Trail (Hamilton County, Tennessee)

My next stop for my day in Chattanooga, TN takes me back up to the top of Lookout Mountain for a short hike. One of the other participants of the Mountain Bike Tour decided to join me, as we are also both doing some Kayaking with REI this evening. 

Starting at Point Park, which is appropriately named since it sets on the literal point of the mountainous finger overlooking the Chattanooga Valley, we quickly find the trail that leads to Sunset Rock along the Bluff Trail and begin our hike. Atop the mountain Civil War-era cannons remind visitors of the prominent role this mountain played in defending the south from Sherman's March.

This trail seems to be pretty popular, as there are quite a few hikers here, but I suspect the fog which sits on top of us and spoils the view has deterred some adventurers today. We push on regardless. The trail itself is pretty well maintained, though rocky in sections. Lookout Mountain, along which we are hiking the top of is really nothing more than a tall river bluff. Some sections seem great for climbers and no sooner do I think that to myself than we encounter some. They really aren't doing much more than bouldering, but they seem to be having fun.

Just as we pass the climbers, my companion gets hit by a small falling rock. We don't think it was the fault of the climbers, as it seemed to come from far above their location. That said though, it does seem to have hit between the shoulder blades and left a little "road rash", I'm sure it hurt, but she toughs it out and we continue on our hike. 

The final section to Sunset Rock itself consists of a large number of stone steps climbing back up the side of the bluff. The view from the top is well worth it though. From here, we can look out on the entire valley from far above. Luckily, the fog has clear a bit and we are able to take in the vista for a couple of minutes before heading back to the parking lot.

The return trip is uneventful, and luckily, we don't get hit by any more falling rocks. It was a nice little hike of 3.4 miles, but now it's time to head to the next adventure on the Tennessee River far below our present location.