TRAILS ARE OPEN FROM DAWN TO DUSK
This cache is the 1st of 6 caches in this series highlighting a sequence of loop trails in the Union Trail system. These caches are placed on the purple (0.5 mile) and blue (1.7 miles) trails. This cache is located on a trail called Tornado Alley Loop, so named because of a tornado that passed through this very location on February 5, 2008 eventually passing through the center of the campus of Union University just a few hundred feet away. While multiple buildings were severely damaged and nearly the entire student housing complex was obliterated, thankfully, no one on campus was killed. The Jackson community came to Union's aid and by August of that same year all buildings had been repaired and an entirely new housing complex had been built. Feel free to drive through campus as you leave the trails today to see how the campus has thrived since that dark day. I have attached an image of the campus following the storm for reference. As you walk through the trails today, you will see tell-tale signs of the storm with randomly placed twisted pieces of metal strown about. The background image on this page is an example.
This area has miminal elevation changes which makes for a great hike in the cool of the woods. The caches are placed close to the marked trails, so please hide them well after you have signed the logs so they don't disappear.
To access this cache, park on campus at the posted parking coordinates and enter at the posted coordinates for the trailhead. Please do not attempt to access this cache directly from the street. Be safe while crossing Pleasant Plains Extended as traffic can sometimes be heavy.
The Union University trail system is to be enjoyed by Union students, faculty/staff, and alumni as well as the general public. The trail system has been constructed and is maintained by the local Jackson community. It includes approximately 6.5 miles of hiking, running, and mountain biking trails. The trail system is composed of a mix of beginner and intermediate trails.
A pdf of the trail system can be found at https://www.uu.edu/studentlife/campus-recreation/outdoor-recreation/trails/TrailMap_Sp23.pdf.
