Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Schedule for August 2006
(Extracted from the published Newsletter*)
*The printed Newsletter sent to members and subscribers also contains reports of hikes done, info on new members, full names of leaders plus e-addresses, plus the Appalachian Trail Maintainers Newsletter. To subscribe: $10 to SMHC, Box 1454, Knoxville, TN 37901. (If start after August issue, subscription is good through next year.) After one signs in on 3 Club hikes an application for membership is provided.
Newsletter Editor: Charlie Klabunde (865) 483-8055
Area Code, unless otherwise noted, is 865.
CONTENTS: Items listed here for August
5 - Sat AT Work Trip
9 - Wed Brushy Mountain
12 - Sat EZ: Cataract Falls & Gatlinburg Trails
12 - Sat Tomahawk Prong Falls, Sugarland Mtn Tr- Chimneys Loop
19 - Sat Election and Potluck Picnic
26-27 – S&S Car Camp at Deep Creek with hikes
Hikes: Sat- Juney Whank Falls, Sun- Sunkota Ridge – Deep Creek Loop
AT WORKTRIP
August 5 - Saturday
Check out this vegetation clearing trip and picnic in ATMNews.
TOMAHAWK PRONG FALLS –SUGARLAND MOUNTAIN TRAIL–CHIMNEYS LOOP
August 12 - Saturday
This hike provides an interesting variety of terrestrial and aquatic experiences and a degree of physical challenge that will vary depending on recent rainfall. From the Chimneys Trailhead we will follow Road Prong to the well-concealed confluence of Tomahawk Prong, then scramble down through stinging nettles to change into wading shoes. We will traverse some significant log jams at the mouth of Tomahawk Prong then wade upstream about 30 minutes to the pretty falls. When we scouted the hike the water level was at times over our knees and REALLY cold, but a steep rhodo-tangled shoreline kept us in the water (hope it’s OK in Aug). Next we backtrack to Road Prong Trail (those who have had enough can easily return to the trailhead) and head up an unnamed tributary leading via 900’ climb to Sugarland Mtn Trail. This part involves some rhodo surfing and tall stinging nettles as well as summer wildflowers and cascades. We’ll then follow the trail to a steep manway leading to the busy Chimneys trail, where we can check out the views and demographics.
Those preferring to carpool from Knoxville area should meet at the Alcoa Food City <see list> at 7 AM. The leaders will meet the group at 8 AM at the Sugarlands Visitor Center parking lot in the section immediately to the right upon entering, at the end nearest to and visible from US 441. From there we will carpool to Chimneys Trail parking area. Please pre-register with one of the leaders, because this trip has some unusual elements and risks. (If water levels are too high, we will do the Road Prong - Sugarland Mtn trail loop of about 12 miles.) Round trip mileages: drive 90, hike- 7. Rated moderately difficult.
Leaders: Alan 908-9867
Kris 430-4359 kristine_johnson@nps.gov
ELECTION AND POT LUCK PICNIC plus HIKE
August 19 – Saturday
This year the Potluck Picnic Election Luncheon will be at the large pavilion at Metcalf Bottoms in the GSMNP. The day will be planned as: the morning hike will start at 9:00 followed by an hour socializing with light snacks and drink then lunch and the election to follow. Please bring a generous portion your favorite vegetable, salad or dessert dish and drink to share. Also a portable chair would be suggested. All tableware will be supplied and this year the Social Committee will bring Ham and light snacks to enjoy after the hike. A small donation will be accepted.
Hike: Meet at the Metcalf Bottoms large pavilion 9:00 to begin the 4 mile hike which will go to the Little Greenbrier School and cemetery then visit the Walker Sisters’ Home. Much history can be learned about this area, so keeping in mind of this year’s social event theme of "Old Timers Year," if anyone has a story or knowledge of the area this will be discussed as we rest and relax there. We will travel on the Metcalf Bottoms Trail to the Little Brier Gap Trail and back for a total of 4 miles; 3 hours hiking time.
Social Hour: 11:30 - 12:00, light snacks will be provided.
Lunch: 12:00 – 1:00
Election meeting: 1:00 – 2:00. Board meeting following the election — to go over Program and choose monthly coordinators.
Hike Leader sign-up sheets will be available for 2007 hikes.
Directions: From Gatlinburg: Go 9.6 miles west of Sugarlands Visitor Center on Little River Road, OR/ From Townsend at the Wye: go 7.7 miles east on Little River Road. Enter at Metcalf Bottoms sign and turn left at the restrooms, to find the large pavilion in the middle of the picnic area.
The Social Committee:
Lucinda Turbeville - Lucindaturbeville@comcast.net
Cata Folks - Cfolks@pstcc.edu 982-3890
Delma Williams 769-0320
Rae Jones – knxrae@aol.com 558-9154
Cathy Hickam 691-9614
Candidates nominated for the 2007 Executive Board of SMHC
President ………... .Mark Shipley Director…….. Laurie Gregory*
Vice Pres ……….. ..Tim Bigelow Director …...….... Ray Payne
Treasurer ………..George Ritter Director ………. Hiram Rogers
Secretary ………… David Smith Director...Connie Tatgenhorst*
Newsletter Ed.. Charlie Klabunde Director …..Lucinda Turbeville
Historian ..……….. Philip Royer Director……...Nan Woodbury
(*New to Board.)
DEEP CREEK CAR CAMP
August 26-27 – Saturday & Sunday
Join us for an overnight car camp at Deep Creek Campground near Bryson City, NC. We’ve reserved group campsite #201, which is right on the bank of Deep Creek and right at the trail heads for our hikes. The campsite is for tents only, with restrooms and water close by. We plan to enjoy a potluck meal after our walk to Juney Whank Falls, so bring something to share. Plan to arrive any time after noon on Saturday, preferably before 5 PM. Capacity for the group camp is 20 people, so please call hike leaders in advance to reserve a spot. We’ll divide the $35.00 cost of the campsite among the number of tents. The drive is about 200 miles round trip. Anyone wanting to join just the Sunday hike please note the starting time and let us know to look for you.
JUNEY WHANK FALLS
August 26 – Saturday
After setting up our tents on Saturday afternoon, we’ll do the easy stroll up to beautiful Juney Whank Falls, about a mile round trip. Plan to leave Deep Creek Campground by 5 PM.
SUNKOTA RIDGE-DEEP CREEK LOOP
August 27 – Sunday
Sunday morning we’ll break camp, pack up our cars, and take off on our day hike by 8:30 AM. We’ll take Deep Creek trail out of the campground, then use Indian Creek and Loop Trails to connect to Sunkota Ridge Trail. When scouted in June, Sunkota Ridge was a very pretty well-maintained trail, but it does have the potential to become overgrown. After climbing Sunkota Ridge, we’ll drop down to Martins Gap, where we’ll take Martins Gap trail to Deep Creek trail. We’ll possibly have lunch at this junction, which is at campsite #57, also known as Bryson Place, the last permanent camp of Horace Kephart. We’ll then follow Deep Creek back to the campground. Hike 13.2 miles, rated moderate.
Leaders: Ellen & Dave 927-6522 emg01@comcast.net
***>>> MID-WEEK HIKES <<<***
Just one Wednesday
Aug 9 Brushy Mountain 11.8 mi Lv Alcoa Food City 7:30
Carol 376-4895 ander743@bellsouth.net
NEW CATARACT FALLS TRAIL & GATLINBURG TRAIL
EASY, Short Hike : August 12 - Saturday 4.3 miles
Meet 10:00 near restrooms at Sugarlands Vis Ctr. Past falls it’s 2 mi to G’burg where some will have Dutch-treat lunch before return – which could be by car pool if wanted and arranged.
Carolyn 681-8875 & Kathy 977-9495
MEETING PLACES:
"Food City in Alcoa"= on right between 3rd & 4th stoplight (on Hall Rd., TN 35), just before Big Lots
"Sugarlands Visitor Center" = in the Park at junction of Newfound Gap Road and Little River Road.
COMING EVENTS - September
2 - Sat AT Worktrip
2 - Sat Oswald Dome
9-10 S&S Scout-Your-Hike for 2007
16-17 S&S Backpack: Virgin Falls
17 - Sun Mill Creek Falls <off trail>
23 - Sat Old Settlers Trail: Noisy Creek to Indian Camp Creek