Lula Falls
Lula Lake Land Trust, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the natural and historic landscapes surrounding Rock Creek and Bear Creek, celebrates its 20th anniversary next weekend. Various events will take place at the lake and falls on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The entrance will close at 4 p.m. each day. The Trust is at 5000 Lula Lake Road, Lookout Mountain, Ga. Visitors attending the events should enter through the main gate and proceed to the parking area.
In addition to scheduled special activities, the Trust’s six mile network of trails will be open for exploration, including a newly-constructed Lula Falls Trail. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic lunch, and grills and tables are available for use at the lake area. Handicap-accessible parking is available.
Since its inception in 1994, the Lula Lake Land Trust sought to create a conservation corridor to protect the cultural importance and pristine water quality of the Rock Creek watershed, and to provide research, education, and low-impact recreation services to the greater Chattanooga community. Brad Cobb, Lula Lake Land Trust board chairman, describes the 20-year history of the Trust as “an example of how careful planning and an unwavering focus on implementation create success. I think our founders, Helen and Bobby Davenport, Sr., would be amazed at what our staff, volunteers, and supporters have accomplished since they first envisioned preserving this incredible community asset.”
From the initial gift of 770 acres that created the Land Trust, the conserved land between Lula Lake and Cloudland Canyon State Park now measures 10,000 acres, protected through a mixture of Trust ownership, private conservation easement, and dedicated State Park lands. The Trust recently celebrated the completion of a 60-mile, multi-use trail system known as the Cloudland Connector Trail, that Mr. Cobb says “provides access to some of the most unique wildlife habitat and historically significant land anywhere in Georgia or the Southeast.”
Lula Lake Land Trust’s core property, including Lula Lake and Lula Falls, hosts visitors year round on Open Days and for organized educational and recreational activities such as Scout campouts, school field trips, and church retreats.
Ongoing activities (Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 1–5 p.m.)
Trails open for hiking, biking, and trail running. Pets welcome on a leash. Self-guided nature walk and scavenger hunt materials will be provided.
Instagram Photo Contest – guests are encouraged to take photos and tag Lula Lake LT on Instagram. Complimentary printing and framing of the winning photo will be provided.
All visitors will be entered into a raffle for prizes including a pair of Chacos and outdoor items from local retailer Rock/Creek.
Saturday, Oct. 4 Activities:
9:30 a.m. – American Chestnut revival and tree planting with Dr. Hill Craddock, UTC Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. – The Civil War and other historical activity at Lula Lake with Jim Ogden, National Park Service Historian
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. – Storytelling with Jim Pfitzer
1:30 p.m. – Guided hike and yoga practice with Aron Aldrich
Sunday, Oct. 5 Activities:
2 p.m. – Guided hike and yoga practice with Allison Foster
The complete schedule of events can be found at www.lulalake.org, with more activities being added daily.