Winter Hike at Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area Slated for December 10th

Nashville, TN – The Department of Environment and Conservation’s Resource Management Division will host a guided winter hike at Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area in Maury County on Saturday, December 10th. Participants are asked to meet at the natural area parking lot off U.S. Highway 43 at 10:00am, which is located approximately 21 miles southwest of Columbia and three miles northeast of Summertown.

Known for its beautiful falls, the 90-acre natural area sits on the Western Highland Rim in the Duck River watershed. The geology of this region creates scenic natural features such as seeps, flat shale-bottom streams and waterfalls – both small and large – which help shape the region’s dissected topography.

Stillhouse Hollow Falls can be seen by walking just under a mile along its namesake trail, which crosses an unnamed tributary that forms small scenic cascades before plunging approximately 75 feet over the falls. A deep hollow is formed below the falls that is surrounded by steep slopes where wet-weather springs emerge.

Stewardship Ecologist Allan Trently will take hikers to the falls and then hike up to the top of the ridge and back to the parking lot. The distance of the hike is approximately 1.6 miles. Participants should bring lunch, water and dress appropriately for the weather.

Reservations are required for this hike and should be made by December 8th by contacting Allan Trently at 731.512.1369 or at allan.trently@tn.gov. The hike will be canceled due to inclement weather, so hikers should consult a weather forecast before departure to the natural area.

The Stillhouse Hollow Falls hike is part of a series of monthly, guided trips to Tennessee State Natural Areas offered by the department’s Resource Management Division. Tennessee has 82 designated natural areas throughout the state, covering approximately 120,000 acres of ecologically significant lands.

More information about Tennessee’s natural areas program, including a complete list of all natural areas and scheduled field trips, can be found at www.tn.gov/environment/na/. For more information on Stillhouse Hollow Falls State Natural Area, including a map of the area and directions, please visit http://tn.gov/environment/na/natareas/stillhouse/.