Tennessee Hiking: The Hidden Springs Trail at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park

   Of course; hiking with friends is a lovely experience. However, there are many times when a quiet solo hike does one a different kind of good. The serenity of strolling along at your own pace, finding little treasures, appreciating the way the late fall sunlight casts its golden light through the gaps in the leaves, sometimes it's just hat the heart needs.

   I began hiking as a way to reconnect with myself after being displaced when leaving a bad marriage. Picking my way down hills and through the trees, I strived to simply get outside and into nature, to be alone with my thoughts. Perhaps because of this, I prefer to solo hike, as throughout my time spent on the trail I developed a sort reverence for nature, the one thing that could calm my mind. Hiking (no matter how strenuous) has become almost religious for me, it's a way that I can connect with nature and simply exist as myself with no performance. 

   As an opera singer, it can be difficult to take some time away from the craft. Between learning new repertoire, translation, lessons & coachings, the endless rehearsal cycles, etc. it can be an exhausting career to pursue. In fact, it can be easy to lose yourself in all the bustle of the day-to-day in general. Taking the time to walk and be with yourself in solitude can help you remember your goals, and remind yourself of your values. 
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   This weekend, I decided I would explore the Hidden Springs Trail at the Cedars of Lebanon State Park. It was a gorgeous 66 degrees and sunny, which is unusual for late fall in Tennessee. I had attempted this 5-mile loop once before last year, but was unfortunately chased off the trail by the biggest deerfly I'd ever seen. Nevertheless, I packed up my hiking bag and decided to brave the trail once more. 

   The crunch of the fallen leaves under my step made a satisfying sound while I picked my way down the path, the trail getting rocky. It wasn't long ago that I would have laughed at the thought of going on a 5-mile hike for fun. Me, the outdoors? Absurd. I reflected on how much I've grown as a person as I spied some Turkey Tails, and snapped a picture. It's a thrill to find beautiful plants, leaves, mushrooms on the trail. They're marvels of the natural world, each plant, each fungus an integral part of the ecosystem around us. 

   The trail itself is considered Moderate on AllTrails (A wonderful app if you're looking to get into hiking), and I would agree. While many parts of the trail are wide and relatively flat, there are also fallen trees on the trail that will require you to step over or duck under them, and quite a few rocky sections that will require some knee strength. For any readers that struggle with their knees, balance,  or bending over, please use caution and take a hiking stick!

   The loop takes you past many sinkholes and a stream in a forested area with lots of different trees. Because the trail is mostly dirt, prepare to get muddy if you go and it's rained recently. This trail is popular, so you're never far from help should you need it. While the loop itself doesn't have any sharp turns, keep an eye out for the white blazes on trees to help you find your way, as there are a couple splits in the path that can be confusing. 

Strawberry Bush, Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Tennessee

   To conclude, I think you should hike this trail if you're ever in the area. It's definitely on the easier side of the 'Moderate' ranking, and the trail itself is gorgeous. There are bathrooms at the top of the trail and places for picnicking, so bringing a snack or lunch to enjoy before/after your hike is also a great plan. Because this trail is busy, it's a great one to solo hike, because there are a lot of people to help you if you need it. However, always remember to protect yourself and bring safety gear, just in case. 

And, Dear Reader, if you've never had the pleasure of being purposefully alone in nature, I highly recommend it. Sometimes the act of existing alone with your thoughts under the canopy of trees can help inspire change, or comfort a grieving heart. I know it certainly did for me.

A single Maple leaf, hanging on. Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Tennessee