(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

MEETING PLACES

COMING EVENTS...JULY

See ATMNews for details

The social committee would like to invite all club members and their friends to our new midsummer’s Ice Cream – Dessert – Hotdog Social.

This year each social event will be dedicated to the "Old Timers" of the club as we are asking all to bring their old time hiking wares, pictures or anything that may have interest to show and tell about to other like minded hikers. We are trying something different and hope the evening will bring much enjoyment through rekindled memories and good food. This year we are also planning to cook hotdogs on the grill for an extra treat. Hotdogs and toppings, chips, ice, water and tableware will be supplied. We will use camping lanterns to light the pavilion after dark. We ask for a nominal donation of $2 to pay for the pavilion from each attendee. Rain or shine, the event will meet. As the evening falls to darkness Cata will lead energetic members on a short walk around the park. Flashlights may be needed.  The park is unique as the lake surrounds it on three sides. Anyone wanting to fish, fly kites, or play outdoor games is welcome to bring those items along with them. Please bring: folding chairs, a homemade dessert or ice-cream to share.

  Directions to Melton Hill Park:- 3230 Williams Bend Rd.— From Pellissippi Parkway (TN-162), take the Hardin Valley Exit, go west, turn onto Steele Rd. beside Hardin Valley Elementary School. Go left at next intersection, Sam Lee Rd to Couch Mill to Williams Bend Rd which runs into the park.

Want to lead a hike next year? Bring your suggestions and a sign-up sheet will be available.

The Social Committee:

Lucinda – Lucindaturbeville@comcast.net      

Cata – Cfolks@pstcc.edu   982-3890

Cathy    691-9614 Delma   769-0320

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These are two new-to-the-Club destinations along the Cataloochee Divide, accessed from Cove Creek Gap. Just outside the park, Bent Knee Knob is on property owned by the Hultquist family who have put a conservation easement on it with SAHC. We’ll hike the approximately 1.2-mile loop trail they have made, and enjoy the view from high on the Knob. Part of the return leg is on the old Asbury Trail. Then, to round out the day, we’ll head up the Cataloochee Divide Trail about half way towards Hemphill Bald, but at 4.3 miles we take a short side trail toward Purchase Knob. The Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center there now belongs to the Park. Besides seeing their great view, we may learn how they benefit several NPS units in this area.

Leave Asheville Hwy Food Lion <see list> at 7:30 AM. Round trip mileages: drive- 170, hike- 10.5, rated moderate.

Jun 7 - Curry Mtn, Meigs Mtn,& Meigs Creek trails 8.7 mi.

Be prepared: 18+ crossings of Meigs Crk. Meet 8:00 AM

Jun 21 - LeConte: ­ Rainbow Falls ¯ Bull Head 12.8 mi. 7:30

Both meet at Alcoa Food City

Trail work on the AT along Clingmans Dome road.

Bring work gloves, lunch and water. Tools will be provided.

Meet at the Sugarlands Visitor Center 9AM.

We plan to get an early start for this SMHC classic to beat at least some Cades Cove traffic. We’ll park at the end of Forge Creek Road and hike the 5-mile Gregory Ridge Trail, with an elevation gain of 2700 feet. After 1 mile on the relatively level Gregory Bald Trail we’ll reach the bald for lunch, azalea viewing, and perhaps a side trip to Parsons Bald. Gregory Bald azaleas show a variety of colors found nowhere else in the world because of unusual hybridization patterns, so get up early for this hike to see if we chose the right date for the best display.

  Meet at Alcoa Food City <see list> at 7:00 AM. Round trip mileages: drive- 90, hike- 12, rated moderate.

Here’s a hike for the Hard Core off-trail hikers. After a short warm-up on the Trillium Gap trail to Grotto Falls we’ll take to the creek and thickets for a strenuous climb up the north side of Mt. LeConte. The route promises slick rocks, hidden holes and crevices, crawling over-under-around-and-through brush, rhododendron, and fallen trees. Some climbing of near vertical slopes with minimal handholds is required. We should arrive near the spring below LeConte Lodge in the early afternoon. We may tarry briefly on top before starting our descent via the Rainbow Falls Trail — as far as Rocky Spur — where we will again take to the woods to crawl through more brush, finding our way to a woods walk with mixed rhododendron and a small stream that leads us back to the parking lot. It isn’t the distance that makes this hike tough – it’s the terrain and vegetation. If you believe the map this hike looks like a mere 7 miles but be not mislead. The 2700 ft off-trail ascent is very strenuous and should not be undertaken by inexperienced persons.

We will leave the Asheville Hwy Food Lion <see list> at 7:00 AM. Bring ample snacks, and a headlamp might be useful if we are delayed for any reason. In the event of rain the leaders reserve the option to select a substitute hike suitable to the weather conditions. Round trip mileages: drive- 87, hike- 7, rated very difficult.

EASY, Short Hike #1: June 24 - Saturday 3.3 miles

1 - Sat Big Creek to Mouse Creek Falls & Midnight Hole

8 - Sat AT Worktrip

9 - Sun Cove Mountain

22 - Sat LeConte via Boulevard and Alum Cave Trails

29-30 - S&S Backpack: Thomas Divide- Newton Bald #52

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Now is the time. Please send your ideas for hikes, either that you would like to see done or that you would like to lead (and when?) – to Program Coordinator – Charlie Klabunde (email: klabundece@aol.com, snail mail address in Handbook).