Team Essence hit J. Percy Priest Lake around 6:30 this morning and made a nearly 8-mile, mostly East-West loop that took us under Hobson Pike and around a couple of islands south of the bridge. In addition to getting some exercise, we also scouted a few campsites for an overnight trip planned from the East Fork of the Stones River up to Percy Priest.
Priest Paddle at EveryTrail
Map created by EveryTrail: GPS Community
The first island was marked as a "restoration area," and the local birds had made good use of the no-human rule, setting up shop on one end in particular. These water birds were markedly similar to the ones we saw back on Old Hickory in June. At least three species were present, including Great Blue Herons and two others that I presumed to be in the heron family.
The second island, dubbed Mousetail Island according to this Corps of Engineers map, held three campsites, all of which looked like good spots. Each offered easy access from a kayak, and one had a fair amount of downed wood for a campfire. When the weather cools, I hope we can get over that way for some primitive camping. A scouting trip to the other nearby islands (Ponderosa, Rivers Bend, and Poole Knobs) might be in order within the next couple of weeks.
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