Hike Into History | “Moonshining in the South Cumberlands”
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Highlights for a self-guided hike
Trailhead: Grundy Forest (Fiery Gizzard north end), Tracy City [map] "Moonshining in the South Cumberlands" takes you along South Cumberland State Park's Grundy Day Loop to School House Falls, once the site of a moonshine still, and one of many such sites in the park. Stills were common in the South Cumberlands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, because this area was prized for its clear and pure water. Along the way you'll also see the site of the Civilian Conservation Corps camp that was home to the hundreds of young men who built much of the famed Fiery Gizzard Trail during the 1930s, as well as the foundation of the CCC Pump House at the base of Blue Hole Falls. Leaving via the Fiery Gizzard North trailhead, behind the picnic pavilion, here are some of the trail highlights: » 0.6 miles | site of old CCC camp » 1.0 miles | beginning of area with "dog hole" (very small and narrow) coal mines » 1.5 miles | foundation of CCC camp water pump station » 1.6 miles | temporary trail to the left, taking you to the base of School House Falls, site of old moonshine still » 1.8 miles | the Cave Springs rock house, where Woodland period Native Americans had a campsite Total trail distance: 2.0 miles | easy to mildly strenuous |
School House Falls (remnants of old still can be seen to the left, at the base of the falls). Please do not disturb any historical artifacts!
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