2010 February 27, Saturday, Hiking on TVA Trails

I parked the car near the TVA Power Station at Birding Site Number 8. 
Where my granddaughter and I began our hike. Before 9/11, there was a Visitor Center at TVA where visitors could see how our power system works. Most of the information is now located at Muscle Shoals Town Hall.

Birding Site 6

The first thing we saw was the TVA Dam and the cascading waterfall. The path was still covered with fallen leaves, and most of the trees were bare. The best time to hike is in the fall or winter, since snakes are more active in the summer.

Walking to the Rock Pile

Walking on the trail 

Rock Pile Trail
Old First Quarters 1.8 miles
Follow White Blazes
A National Recreation Trail 

You are at the Rockpile Recreation
To the east is a scenic waterfall near Wilson Dam
To go to Wilson Dam via the train, follow the road up the hill a short way and turn left onto the stairs. To travel toward the Patton Island Bridge, follow the old rail bed until you reach a hill with some cross-tie steps on the left. Follow the trail up those stairs.

We passed the rock pile, and we walked along the rail bed up the steps to Patton Island Bridge. 

Following the rail bed

We walked past the Patton Island Bridge and continued up the hill. 
We walked until we reached a gravel road.

Walking on a gravel road

Walking on the sidewalk

We crossed the highway over to the sidewalk and walked back to the car. 
We stopped to read the signs posted at a shelter near the TVA Dam Power Station.

Gulls Glorious Gulls

Birds of North Alabama 

Exploring the River 

After the long walk, we were hot, tired, and hungry. I drove us across the TVA dam, and we hadlunchCracker BarrBarrel. It wasIt was a lovely day for hiking, not too hot. We did not see any critters along our path. We crossed several bridges and walked up and down several hills. We had to watch our steps for fallen branches. 
I had a great time hiking on the TVA Trail with my granddaughter.