• Location: Grundy Forest State Natural Area, near Tracy City, TN
• Access: From I-24 south of Manchester, TN, take exit 134 and head east on Main St (US 64/US 41/TN56) 1.1 miles, then turn north on Fairmont Ave (US 41/TN 56) and stay on US41/TN 56 for 4.8 miles towards Tracy City. Turn right on 3rd St at the Grundy Forest State Natural Area sign and head southand east 0.4 miles, then turn right on Marion, and head south 0.2 miles, and finally turn right again by the softball field and head about 100 yards down to the parking area, located on the left. Each turn is signed with a brown Grundy Forest State Natural area sign. There is also a southern trailhead, but I've not been there. 
• Maps: Friends of the South Cumberland has an excellent topo map with trails that is also available at the trailhead; USGS quads: Monteagle, White City
• Trailhead: UTM NAD83 z16 613968e 3901701n  1800’ 
• Trail: The Grundy Forest Day Loop is 1.8 miles with 100' elevation loss and is a pretty easy trail that passes by several fantastic waterfalls. Adding in a sidetrip to Sycamore Falls adds 1.2 miles and another 100' elevation loss into the route. Note: measured hiking distances were a bit shorter than official mileage. This trail is partially described in the Fiery Gizzard page. 
• Weather: Local Forecast
• Fees: None

After hiking Fiery Gizzard with Mike Weigand two months back, I was determined to bring Andra and Ada to see at least the day loop, if not more. We arrived on an unseasonably warm day, though the preceding week had been bitter cold and icicles remained clinging to all the rocks along the streams. We walked the loop counterclockwise, hitting Hanes Hole Falls first, then crossing Little Fiery Gizzard Creek and heading south to Sycamore Falls. Logs that had been in the Sycamore Falls plunge pool two months ago were gone, washed away by the heavy December rains. We retraced our steps to the bridge over Little Fiery Gizzard, and then continued the loop past Blue Hole Falls (aren’t there like 300 Blue Holes in Tennesse?) and on up past the giant hemlock and back to the car. It was a quick hike, but a great break from being cooped up in the house during the snowy Christmas weather.