Periwinkle Trail Ribbon Cutting – The Upper Cumberland’s newest hiking trail on Cordell Hull Lake

March 20, 2023

The Upper Cumberland’s newest hiking trail is a 2.65 mile linear path along the shores of Cordell Hull Lake that meanders through both Smith and Jackson counties. The Periwinkle Trail is a joint accomplishment of community volunteers, local businesses and a partnership between the newly formed Friends of Cordell Hull Lake (FOCHL) and the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE).

The trailhead is located at the USACE archery range parking area located at the entrance to Indian Creek Campground between Chestnut Mound in Smith County and Granville in Jackson County. The trail is rated as moderate and includes several small creek crossings. It winds through large cedar thickets, along tall bluffs, across old road beds, and past places where historic homesteads once stood. Around the halfway point the trail runs along side the banks of the lake and offers many quiet places to sit, soak in nature or enjoy a picnic. The trail ends at Wildwood Resort & Marina. A full out-and-back hike can take approximately two and half hours.

On March 25th, the Friends of Cordell Hull Lake and the Corp of Engineers are celebrating the official opening of the trail with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, community hike and food luncheon featuring popular local food trucks. Twenty percent of
the proceeds from lunches purchased at the food trucks will go to support the activities of the Friends of Cordell Hull Lake. This event is supported in part by a grant from UCEMC CARES.

Come be a part of history.
10:00 – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the trailhead
10:30 – Community hike from Indian Creek to Wildwood
11:30-1:30 – The Pontoon Eaterie and Cousins Maine Lobster Food truck will be onsite at Wildwood. 20% of all proceeds from the Food Trucks will be donated to the Friends of Cordell Hull Lake.
1:30-2:30 pm Hike back to the trailhead or enjoy a free shuttle ride on the Wildwood Express between Trail Head Location: 36.233075, -85.788299 Located off of 4 Park Ln in Buffalo Valley, TN

About the Friends of Cordell Hull Lake – The FOCHL non-profit (501c3) is a collaboration of citizens, businesses and community leaders that are organized to protect and preserve Cordell Hull Lake and its environment. The FOCHL mission is to support the recreational and educational use of Cordell Hull Lake, to bring attention to the natural beauty and friendliness of the communities and businesses around the lake, and to protect and care for the lake and its surroundings for the benefit of generations to come. To learn more or to become a member of the friends group visit http://FriendsOfCordellHullLake.org