Summer Local Living 2024

Summer Local Living May 2024— 5 A hiker’s dream with water- falls, tree-covered, paths and a well-maintained trail system, Short Springs State Natu- ral Area is a 420-acre natural area located in Coffee County approx- imately three miles northeast of Tullahoma. The natural area provides ex- cellent contrast between the High- land Rim and Central Basin ge- ology and vegetation and is one of the best places to see a wide assortment of fauna. When de- scending along the Machine Falls trail, a visitor can observe exposed black Chattanooga shale at mid- slope, which is a formation that delineates the Central Basin from the Highland Rim. Thick- ets of mountain laurel grow on the upper slopes under a dry oak-hickory forest canopy that is characteristic of High- land Rim vegetation. The lower slopes and riparian areas along Bobo Creek support towering sycamore, buckeye, magnolia, beech, and tulip poplar trees with a rich shrub layer and her- baceous cover. Short Springs is one of the very best spring wild- flower locations in the state. This biological diversity is re- lated to the rich forest slopes and ravines, low cascades, springs and waterfalls that support it. Scenic features like Machine Falls drops more than 60 feet and is nearly equal in length across. The Upper and Lower Busby Falls on Bobo Creek are two prominent cascad- ing waterfalls that can be seen from overlooks on the Bobo Creek trail. The steep escarpment with its numerous wet weather seeps are particularly impressive during the moist winter and spring months. Water is a significant feature at Short Springs as it once was the water supply for Tullahoma before construction of Normandy Dam. Friends of Short Springs rou- t i ne l y holds trail clean up days where the volunteer park enthusi- ast help clean up the natural area. Hikers have the option of numer- ous trails with a main loop that leads to the bottomof the falls from the parking area. There is ample area for parking located across the road from the entrance to the nat- ural area. Short Springs is also a close drive to Rutledge Falls which is another hiking area that rewards hikers with a scenic view of another waterfall. SHORT SPRINGS NATURAL AREA A hiker’s dream