February 21-23, 2026
Feb 21 – I visit the Lookout Mountain location of the USA’s first National Military Park, Chickamauga and Chattanooga (opened in 1895). Four major railroads converged within Chattanooga during the Civil War. The Union wanted to win this territory and take control of the trains, thus crippling Confederate supply lines. Long story short, battles, an attempted but failed siege, and Union victories eventually led to the Confederates abandoning Lookout Mountain and losing Chattanooga to the Union.
Today, a monument, a museum, and a visitor’s center sit atop Lookout Mountain. The views over Chattanooga are beautiful, and I think one can see the Smokies.
The Ochs Memorial Observatory/Museum houses a collection of photos taken by Robert “Royan” Michael Linn, a Union Army photographer turned resident artist.
There are hiking trails within the boundaries of the Park. Two, Bluff and Blue Beaver, are National Recreation Trails and are described below.
Feb 22 – Bluff Trail. Love this 10-mile roundtrip trail! It starts in the Georgia part of Lookout Mountain and ends in TN where the Union army reached the top, just below Ochs Memorial Observatory/Museum. Elevation gain is minimal as the trailhead is up high. Beautiful giant boulders with water cascading down. Lovely viewpoints, some narrow walking with guardrails. Outstanding day.
Am wearing the same kind of knee brace I used on the AT, and it is doing the job while I hike. The knee aches like hell come evening, though. Can’t sleep without OTC pain meds.
Feb 23 – Blue Beaver Trail is a combination of trails and partly traces the route the Union army took during their attack on Lookout Mountain. The route is as follows: Kiddie, Skyuka, Lower Gum Springs, Upper Truck, Rifle Pits, Cravens House, Bluff.
It’s a normal walk in the woods with about a thousand feet of gradual elevation gain. The Cravens House, which both Confederate and Union generals used as headquarters, sits on a lovely viewpoint.
Am using CBS edibles for knee pain. They help.
