Eco-A again offers our signature weekend event near Dayton, TN. On Saturday, we’ll visit the Cherokee Trail of Tears Memorial and see Sandhill Cranes, gathering by the thousands, at the nearby Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. On Sunday we’ll hike a beautiful trail that leads to a waterfall at a rocky east crest of the Cumberland Plateau. 

Sandhill Crane photo by Tony Thaxton, Jr.

Though located in a quiet, rural area today, the Tennessee-Hiwassee River confluence was a Native American center for thousands of years, and was an important hub for early American interstate commerce as well as a critically strategic military site, at a time when rivers served as primary transportation corridors, before trains and automobiles. In the early 1800’s, this was a guarded boundary between the United States and the Cherokee Nation, but by the late 1830’s it had become the major point of departure for the Cherokee, forced to leave native homelands on what became known as the “Trail of Tears” trek to Oklahoma. Quentin Bass, Archaeologist, Heritage Manager and Tribal Liaison for the Cherokee National Forest (retired), will join us to share stories of the people and places that shaped the history of this region as well the US generally. 

Today, the river confluence still serves as a critical international travel hub for — thousands of Sandhill Cranes! The Eastern North American flock of Sandhills that nest and summer near the Great Lakes and in southern Canada, fly south to the Hiwassee River, and often further, flying directly over the City of Atlanta, to winter in south Georgia and northern Florida. However, since 2014, a great many of the Sandhills are now staying through the winter at the Hiwassee Refuge site, possibly as a response to global warming.

Sandhill Cranes are ancient birds who have likely been migrating north and south annually on the North American continent for 10 million years, (long before humans emerged from African savannahs). If you’ve ever heard the Cranes’ mellifluous, haunting call, you know there is no other sound like it. The air for miles is filled with this magical sound, simply being present to hear it, is worth the visit. There are many birds found along the rivers, including sea gulls, cormorants, and even white pelicans. Friends of Eco-A have donated a high-powered spotting scope which allows us clear, up-close views of the cranes. 

Join us for one or both days!

Saturday morning at 10:30 we’ll meet for a Cherokee history talk with Quentin Bass and tour the Blythe Ferry Memorial site. Then we’ll spend time watching the Sandhill Cranes at the nearby preserve. We’ll provide tea and snacks but you may want to bring a picnic lunch. 

Sunday we’ll lead an optional hike along a boulder-filled creek to a falls in the Laurel Snow State Natural Area, located near Dayton, TN.

Fee: 1 day – $35, both days – $55

Note: It’s about 2.5 hours drive from Atlanta, for those who wish to stay overnight, we recommend accommodations in Dayton, TN. 

To register (RSVP) click HERE 

Details and directions sent to registered participants.  Limit 16. 

A donation of $25 or more helps support our programs.