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Cheers to Conservation
On Saturday, October 22, Lula Lake held its first ever Brewtoberfest, a Hike Bike Brew style beer festival, at our Core Preserve. This signature fundraiser is popular among Lula Lake fans, nature lovers, and brew enthusiasts. Drawing more than 400 guests ranging from our local community all the way to Massachusetts and Illinois, Brewtoberfest raised significant funds amounting to more than $20K. Ticket buyers helped support our conservation efforts and trail building—they are the reason Lula Lake is able to further its mission for conservation, education, and low-impact recreation.
Brewtoberfest: Hike Bike Brew Beer Festival took place at the LLLT Core Preserve on Lookout Mountain. Each ticket was an adventure waiting to happen. Attendees hiked or biked the "Beer Path" leading them to the famous Lula Lake and Lula Falls, while stopping for beer tasters along the way. Brews were enjoyed from Back Forty Beer Co, Big River Brewing Co, Chattanooga Brewing Co, Cherry Street Brewing, Creature Comforts Brewing Co, Dalton Brewing Co, Five Wits Brewing Co, Hutton & Smith Brewing Co, Naked River Brewing Co, and Tucker Brewing Co; tasty bites were provided from GOOD DOG, Frothy Monkey, Clever Alehouse, Clumpies Ice Cream Co, and Blue Jug; and the band Jaguar Shark performed live in the meadow.

“Hike Bike Brew was such a critical fundraiser for Lula Lake, and the public demand led us to having a second festival, Brewtoberfest, this year,” says Matthew Hubbard, Director of Development. “Because of the outpouring of support from ticket buyers and sponsors, we’re able to raise significant funds in the most fun way possible. Thank you to those who attended our inaugural 2022 Brewtoberfest! Lula Lake is incredibly grateful for their support of our signature fundraiser."

Check out Sarah Buckner Photo's captured moments in these wonderful photos.
For an album of photos from the event, click here to visit our Facebook page. 
Tread Lightly! Visits Lula Lake
On October 12th and 13th, Lula Lake Land Trust teamed up with Tread Lightly!, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting responsible trail use, to bring 22 staff members out from Nissan's Dechered plant to volunteer their time digging in the dirt which helped us get closer to finishing our new Durham trail system. After two productive days of work, we were able to build over a mile of new trail! When hardworking volunteers put this much effort into trail building, we are able to accomplish far more in one day than we typically can compared to our two full time staff members who are usually out doing all the work. As a nonprofit, Lula Lake Land Trust naturally depends on dedicated volunteers who believe in our mission statement of conservation, education, and low-impact recreation. Both Tread Lightly! and Nissan helped us achieve exactly that.

Click here to read more the impact report from Tread Lightly!
Backpacking 101
Backpacking is a type of recreation where hikers carry gear on their back for an extended journey rather than just a day hike. If you’ve never been backpacking before, it can be a daunting task as you try to piece together everything you may need while doing so. We’ve partnered with Jeremy Parker, a seasoned backpacker who has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, to help beginners prepare for your first backpacking trip, or introduce you to new concepts if you’re more experienced.
First and foremost in Backpacking 101, a hiker to make the decision on a destination. Click here to read more tips to guide your trip-planning process and decision making.   
  1. Choose something close to home with relatively little elevation change.
  2. Try to schedule during a time of year with more temperate weather. The middle of winter may not be the most fun time to start.
  3. Get a campsite with water as close as possible. 
    1. Most designated campsites are near water, but some are not! Since you may not have a great grasp of how much water you’ll need for your trip, it’s best to not have to trek very far to get it.
  4. Pick a well-established camping area or even a walk-in campsite.
    1. Walk-in campsites are sites close to a parking lot but not directly next to it like a car-camping site. This is a great way to fully test your backcountry gear but not be too far from civilization.
  5. Practice by using a car camping site as a basecamp and day hike with your gear.
    1. Along the same lines as tip 4 but camping closer to the car and taking all of your gear with you on day hikes to help you get used to the weight.
  6. Go with a friend your first time and consider leaving the dogs and kids at home.
    1. It’s always safer to travel with someone else and it allows you to split up your gear and share the weight.
    2. Leaving the pups and kiddos at home lets you focus on your trip and gear helping you hone in your skills.
Remember, there’s no need to climb Mt. Everest on your first trip! Make it easy on yourself which will give you the best chance of enjoying your time in the outdoors and want to do it again!

More about Jeremy: Jeremy Parker has been a Chattanoogan for just over a decade. He spent his childhood in North Carolina in the Scouts and backpacking with his mother. When he moved to Knoxville in 2005 to attend the University of Tennessee, he fell in love with The Great Smoky Mountains National Park and subsequently spent many weeks, maybe even months, collectively in the Park backpacking. In 2012, he began working for local Chattanooga outfitter Rock/Creek.

He left in March 2013 to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Upon his return to Chattanooga that December, he continued to sell outdoor gear full-time for another 6 years before he began a career in real estate. In 2021, he started his own team called Evergreen Property Group where he specializes in teaching people how to leverage real estate to attain passive income and the freedom to spend more time doing the things they love (like backpacking!). He continues to work closely with Lula Lake Land Trust, Wild Trails, Cumberland Trail Conference and others to build and maintain the incredible network of trails in our community.
Daily Trails Spotlight: Cloudland Connector Trail
Cloudland Connector Trail | The Cloudland Connector Trail is a 26-mile trail that connects the western end of the Moonshine Trail system to Cloudland Canyon State Park. The Lula Lake Core Preserve section of the CCT is very technically challenging in both directions for hikers and riders. While there is no permit required to recreate on this long-distance trail, a permit is required for this long-distance trail connecting through Lula Lake Land Trust’s Core Preserve property. [CLICK HERE FOR MORE]
 
Let's Talk Business
Want your business to partner with Lula Lake? We are dedicated to building long-term partnerships with businesses. When you partner with LLLT, you and your business are building a connection that will last not only this year but years to come as your support makes a momentous impact. We offer many types of limited partnerships which include Conservation Partnerships, Recreation Partnerships, and Signature Event Partnerships. Each level comes with unique benefits, and your support goes directly back into the land. 

Details for these select partnerships are available by contacting our Director of Development, Matthew, at matthew@lulalake.org.
Featured Upcoming Events
Saturday, November 12 | Details: The Trail Blazer 10K and Half Marathon is unlike any you've ever trekked! This race is designed for trail runners with unique courses well marked that utilize Lula Lake's famous trail systems. Registration is $60 and includes beer & food ticket and afterparty with live music from Jaguar Shark. 100% of proceeds go directly back into Lula Lake's trail work efforts and conservation mission. Packet Pick-up will be available November 11 at Fleet Feet Chattanooga or at check-in starting at 8:15 AM ET on race day. The Half Marathon will start at 9:00 AM ET with the 10K starting at 10:00 AM ET. The afterparty will be from 11:30 AM ET - 1:30 PM ET.
Register Here
FROM THE NEWSROOM
Visit Lula Lake on our Open Gate Days!
Spend your day in nature during our Open Gate Day!  With 8+ miles of trails, bluff views, and a 120-foot waterfall... there's always an adventure to be had! Make your reservation today by clicking upcoming dates below. Spaces are limited to maintain the tranquility of nature. We also have private guided hikes available. Click here to find out more! 
Saturday, November 5
Sunday, November 6
Saturday, November 26
Sunday, November 27

Click here for more dates.
  • Save a tree today! Every $10 donated here will help Lula Lake treat our Hemlock forests from Woolly Adelgid infestation.
  • Looking to make a reservation or wondering if we're open? ​​Our Visit Page has details on planning your next adventure.​
  • ​Interested in our conservation efforts? Click here for more details.
  • Have you visited our daily trails? Click here special trails open daily.
  • Want to volunteer at Lula Lake? Email us at daniel@lulalake.org to inquire about opportunities.
  • Did you know? YOU are our most critical person. You play an important role in guaranteeing the future of conservation and our preserved lands. Donations can be made online by clicking here or by mail at PO Box 395, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350.
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PO Box 395, Lookout Mountain, TN 37350

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