Warren B&G Club - Anna Ruby Falls & Unicoi State Park

On Saturday, November 15, nine youth from the Warren/Holyfield Boys & Girls Club braved the cold weather to hike the Anna Ruby Falls Trail and the Lake Trail at Unicoi State Park with 3 ICO leaders and a representative from the Club. The trip began with a snack and discussion of the outing, which was originally planned to be a hike on Mount Yonah; however, the conditions were not optimal for the planned hike, so the ICO Leaders switched to the back-up plan. After preparing sandwiches and filling daypacks with lunch, snacks, and water, they rode the bus to the Unicoi State Park (stopping on the way to view Mount Yonah and promise to return another day). Along the trail to Anna Ruby Falls they saw many attractive cascades, and everyone enjoyed the view of the falls at the top. They returned to the bus, rode to a picnic area beside the lake and had lunch, then discussed mountaineering skills and other techniques for safe outings in the woods—including the importance of carrying an emergency whistle, but not using it unless there is a real emergency! The weather was very comfortable for the hike around the lake and everyone enjoyed the sights along the way, and the youth were fascinated by the spillway near the end of the trail. Many of the youth napped on the bus en route back to the Club.