The University of the South: Beckwith's Point Trail (Blog Hike #447)

Trail: Beckwith’s Point Trail

Hike Location: The University of the South

Geographic Location: north side of Sewanee, TN (35.21005, -85.89826)

Length: 4.2 miles

Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)

Date Hiked: October 2013

Overview: An out-and-back along the rim of Shakerag Hollow to a grand overlook.

Trail Information: http://www.sewanee.edu/student-life/sewanee-outing-program/50-mi-of-trail-on-campus/

Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=228377
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: Take I-24 to US 41A (exit 134).  Exit and go west/southwest on US 41A.  Drive US 41A 3.5 miles to the entrance gates for Sewanee University.  Just after passing the entrance gate, look for a small gravel parking area on the right.  Park here; this is the Shakerag Hollow parking area.

The hike: Opened in 1868, the University of the South, also known as Sewanee University, was established on 10,000 mostly wooded acres donated by the Sewanee Mining Company.  Perhaps the university’s most famous achievement came via its athletic department in 1932 when it became a founding member of the Southeastern Conference (yes, the one with Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, and the like).  The university left the conference in 1940, and these days its teams compete at the NCAA Division III level.

            Today the university has still developed only a fraction of its donated land, and the campus is surrounded by a ring of old growth forest.  Included in the forested land is the university’s 21-mile Perimeter Trail, which circumnavigates the campus.  Though the entire Perimeter Trail is too long for a dayhike, several segments make shorter but equally worthwhile journeys.  The Beckwith’s Point Trail described here is a one of the Perimeter Trail’s many side trails.  I did this hike as an out-and-back, but I suggest a couple of options at the end of this trail description to minimize the retracing of steps.

Shakerag Hollow Trailhead

            The Perimeter Trail crosses US 41A at this parking area.  To get to the Beckwith’s Point Trail, stay on the north side of the road and enter the woods at the back of the parking area.  A wooden signboard just into the woods announces your approach to Shakerag Hollow.

            Only a couple hundred feet into the woods, the Beckwith’s Point Trail exits left where the Perimeter Trail continues straight.  Wooden directional signs mark this intersection.  Turn left to begin the Beckwith’s Point Trail.  The wide dirt trail heads gradually downhill before curving sharply left at the edge of Shakerag Hollow’s sheer but low rock walls.  This point represents this trail’s best view into Shakerag Hollow, so take a minute to observe the rugged setting.

Trail near Shakerag Hollow

            After climbing gradually along the hollow’s rim, the trail crosses a gravel maintenance road at 0.4 miles.  For the next 0.5 miles the trail stays just downhill from busy University Avenue as it dips in and out of several shallow ravines, crossing the creeks on narrow wooden bridges.  Sounds of cars zooming along the road will be a constant nuisance.  1 mile into the hike you reach a high point where a partially obstructed view off the Cumberland escarpment opens up to the right.

            After passing through a couple more shallow ravines, the university’s golf course comes very close to the trail on the left.  Take care not to distract golfers, as one tee area is less than 10 feet from the trail.  At 1.6 miles, the signed spur to Beckwith’s Point exits to the right.  Feel free to hike the short distance out to the rocky ledge called Beckwith’s Point, but no views can be had in the warm months due to the dense broadleaf forest.

Hiking near the golf course

            After two more close calls with the golf course (I felt like the gopher on Caddyshack because I popped out on the golf course so often), the trail ducks into the woods for good.  Near 2 miles into the hike, a signed connector to the Perimeter Trail exits at a sharp angle to the right.  This 0.1 mile connector trail is steep and rocky, but it may be useful to form a loop, as described later.

            The final segment of the Beckwith’s Point Trail climbs on a moderate, slightly rocky grade to reach Green’s View, where the Beckwith’s Point Trail ends.  Green’s View sits right on the edge of the Cumberland escarpment, and a wide clearing offers a world-class view of the forest and fields to the northwest.  A bench here makes a fine place to rest at this trail’s end, but do not expect to be alone: a gravel parking area nearby makes Green’s View one of the most popular places on Sewanee’s campus during the warmer months.

View northwest from Green's View

            No other trails go to Green’s View, but a couple of options present themselves to avoid retracing your steps for 2.1 miles to complete the hike.  Obviously you could park a car shuttle at the Green’s View parking area, which is reached by driving University Ave. to the signed Green’s View Road.  Alternatively, you could descend the connector trail described above and hike back up on the Perimeter Trail, thus making a semi-loop.  Note that such a route is quite steep and rocky, so make sure you are prepared for this difficulty before you choose this option to return to the Shakerag Hollow trailhead.