(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

1 - Sun Cumberland Trail to Devils Racetrack

8 - Sun Lone Mountain State Forest

21-22 – S&S Backpack: Chestnut Top to Scott Mtn #6

29 - Sun EZ: Gallaher Bend Greenway

Meeting Places

Coming Events

What better way to welcome the new year than with a hike! We’ll set out on the Cumberland Trail at Bruce Creek Road, near Cove Lake State Park. The hike begins easily, but soon we’ll be climbing and sweating, even in January, as we climb the steep hillside above I-75.  After a brief drop down to the creek, where many waterfalls can easily be seen, we’ll climb up to Devils Race Track, where we should have breathtaking views of the Cumberlands. Several rock fields along the way make hiking this trail somewhat tricky, especially if conditions are wet or icy. Only sure-footed, experienced hikers should attempt this section of the CT, especially in bad weather. Although this section of the CT is not in an area open for hunting, it is adjacent to an area that is. Some blaze orange clothing is recommended. (Wal-Mart’s sporting goods has cheap plastic vest, and Big Orange stocking caps are easy to find in this area.) 

We’ll leave at 9:00 AM from the Hardee’s at the TN-61 exit of I-75. Round trip mileages: drive- 25, hike 6.4, rated
moderately difficult.

Lv Alcoa Food City at 8:00

Lv Oak Ridge Food City at 7:30

This hike begins at the trailhead across from the State Forest Office. We will hike 4 miles to Coyote Point where we hope to enjoy a nice view of the surrounding valley and lunch, weather permitting. Then we’ll take the hiking trail across Lone Mountain Peak down to the Longest Mile Trail which takes us back to the Coyote Point trail for a nice10 mile loop.

  Meet at Oak Ridge Food City <see list> to leave at 9 AM. Round trip mileages: drive- 44, hike-10, rated moderate.

The hike begins on an old road just across from the GSM Park Visitor Center that follows Ashhopper Branch past several old home sites and an old water plant. The roadway ends at a clearing where we will continue on old trail over into the next valley where we meet Sugarland Branch. There we’ll follow the old Sugarland Branch Manway past several old home sites up to Huskey Gap. The old trail is mostly visible with a few trees and briars to climb over here and there. After a lunch break at Huskey Gap, we’ll hike down the Sugarland Mtn trail to Fighting Creek Gap at Little River Road and make a short car shuttle back to the starting point. Some wintertime views of the West Prong valley, Mt. LeConte and Sugarland Mtn are likely along the Sugarland Mtn trail.

A hike to Rocky Top in January is a great idea for anyone who is interested in getting some good "after holiday" exercise, wants to see winter mountain views and maybe get the opportunity to hike in the snow. Rocky Top’s elevation is 5440 ft.  This special remote place on the A.T. is where birds soar free and the wind sings softly. The climb will be strenuous and well worth all the effort. We will begin by climbing Lead Cove Trail to Bote Mountain Trail, then intersecting the A.T. at Spence Field.  If the snow isn’t too deep we will then travel on to Rocky Top to enjoy the afternoon looking into the clear winter skies far above the valleys below. We can also take a short side trip to see the newly refurbished Spence Field Shelter.

We will leave Alcoa Food City <see list> at 7:30 and start the hike from the Lead Cove trailhead at 8:30. Round trip mileages: drive- 80, hike- 11.8, rated strenuous. 

We will be hoping for snow on this backpack as we climb up the Chestnut Top Trail, with great views of Thunder Head, to the Scott Mountain Trail which leads us through a hardwood forest to campsite #6. We will return by the same route. Group size will be limited to eight.

Rated moderate to strenuous depending on the weather. Hike 7.7 miles each way for a total of 15.4.  Call or e-mail the leader for meeting time and place. Due to time of year - experienced backpackers only. 

EASY, Short Hike: January 29 - Sunday 4 miles

Meet 9:00AM at Clark Center Park. From TN-62 between
Knoxville and Oak Ridge: west on Bethel Valley Road, then left at first light onto Pumphouse Road and drive
~ 2 miles to end of road in park.

"new Food City in Oak Ridge" on NE side of Illinois Ave. (TN-62), just SE of O.R. Turnpike, (TN-95). Meet in front edge near street, to right as you enter.

5 - Sun Frozen Head SP

12 - Sun Rich Mountain Loop

25 - Sat Three Gaps: Mids- Huskey- Cucumber