Tishominogo State Park
I slept so well last night. I parked in the back of the Cracker Barrel in Corinth, MS. Initially, I thought it was going to be a loud night, but the truck traffic soon died down. This Cracker Barrel also had motion detection on their parking lot lights and 30 minutes after they closed, all the lights turned off.
After repakcing, I went into Cracker Barrel for blueberry pancakes. The person who greets customers said it's usually slow on Monday mornings. My pancakes were ready in 5 minutes and I left the restaurant by 8:30 am to go to Tishomingo State Park 30 minutes away.
I got to the park at 9:00 am. I had to pay $2 to get in. I asked for a map of the hiking trails and walked down the hill to start my first hike at the Swinging Bridge.
Tishominogo State Park
Tishomingo State Park is located in northern Mississippi and was established in 1935. It was created as a part of the New Deal's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) program, aimed at providing work and job training to unemployed men during the Great Depression. The CCC built several trails, cabins, and picnic areas in the park, using native materials and traditional building techniques to create a rustic, natural-looking landscape.
Tishomingo State Park is named after the historic Chickasaw leader Tishomingo, who was a prominent figure in the Chickasaw Nation during the 19th century. Tishomingo was a respected leader known for his wisdom and leadership, and the park was named in his honor to commemorate the Chickasaw Nation's rich cultural heritage and connection to the land. The park serves as a tribute to Tishomingo and the Chickasaw people, and continues to be a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and visitors interested in learning about the region's history and culture.
CCC Camp Trail
Shortly after entering the park, I came upon a cabin, pond, and water falls. AllTrails called this trail the CCC Camp Trail. I stopped check it out.
Bear Creek Trail
The Bear Creek Outcropping Trail is 1.8 miles long and is rated as moderately difficulty. It features scenic views of Bear Creek, rock formations, and a suspension bridge known as the Swinging Bridge. The Swinging Bridge is a popular spot on the trail and is a wooden suspension bridge spanning Bear Creek (more a river this time of year).
The towering rock formations at the ridge summit were truly a spectacle. Some of the massive boulders jutted out dramatically 40 feet, as if defying gravity itself. These rocks, sculpted over centuries by the forces of nature, were a testament to the sheer power and majesty of the natural world.
Most noteworthy along the trail is all the moss that grows on the rocks and trees. The moss throughout the forest was a such vibrant green.
The moss on the rocks around the streams created very picturesque views. There were so many streams flowing out the ground (springs), down the side of the hills and over high rock formations creating water falls.
The trail was very well maintained and the staff kept fallen trees clear of the trail. The moisture in the park supported the growth of many different kinds of mushrooms as well.
The park was sparsely populated, and I encountered no one during my hike. The only person I saw was a man in a Jeep who was making a sandwich at the Swinging Bridge. On another hike through the campground, I came across him at his tent.
The Saddleback Ridge / Flat Rock Trails
The Saddleback Ridge trail is a 3.7-mile moderately challenging hike that offers scenic views of the park and surrounding areas. The trail features steep inclines and rocky terrain, but hikers are rewarded with scenic overlooks and stunning views from the top of Saddleback Ridge.
The Saddleback Ridge trail gets its name from the topographical shape of the ridge it runs along. The ridge has a characteristic shape that resembles a horse's saddle, hence the name Saddleback. This unique topographical feature makes the trail a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts seeking scenic views and challenging hikes in the park.
The Flat Rock Trail, on the other hand, is a short, easy 0.7-mile hike that leads to a large flat rock outcropping overlooking Pickwick Lake. The trail through the large rocks was fun. There was a Frisbee golf course laid out in the park, which looked very challenging with all its hikes up hills.
The trail offers a peaceful and relaxing experience, with scenic views of the lake and surrounding landscape. Both trails offer a unique and enjoyable experience for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts visiting Tishomingo State Park.
I found an empty camp site and made myself dinner. I then headed back to the Corinth Cracker Barrel.