Smoky Mountains Hiking Club Schedule for
(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.
1 - Wed Clingmans- AT- Goshen Prong- Little River- Elkmont
4 - Sat AT Work
4 - Sat BSF: Maudes Crack- JMT- Longfield Branch
11 - Sat Dalton Gap Branch- Old AT- Parson Lead <off trail>
12 - Sun EZ#1: House Mountain
15 - Wed Mollies Ridge Shelter via Anthony Creek & AT: return
19 - Sun Cumberland Falls SP: Blue Bend & Eagle Falls
24 - Fri Brushy Mountain
25 - Sat Huskey Gap Trail – Fighting Creek Gap
Dec 2 Sat = Deadline for Installation Dinner Reservations
***>>> MID-WEEK HIKES <<< ***
Two November Wednesdays
Nov 1 - Clingmans- AT- Goshen Prong- Little River- Elkmont 13.5 mi
with key swap.
Nov 15 - Mollies Ridge Shelter via Anthony Creek & AT: return 15.2 mi
Both leave Alcoa Food City at 8:00. Both strenuous.
Lucinda 945-1441 lucindaturbeville@comcast.net
BSF: MAUDES CRACK- JMT- LONGFIELD BRANCH
<date swap>November 4 – Saturday
Our hike will begin at the turn around on Terry Cemetery road in the BSFNRRA. It’s about 1/2 mile to a beautiful overlook on the west rim of the gorge before we descend the steep 100 foot drop through Maudes Crack down to the base of the bluff. Once through the rock fissure, we will have an easy stroll through several switch backs to Betty Branch and No Business Creek. From here, we follow No Business Creek until the cut off to the John Muir Trail overlook. The 1.3 mile climb brings us to scenic views from the rim of the plateau. We will retrace our steps down the JMT to No Business Creek and continue 1/4 mile before wading the creek to begin the climb along Longfield Branch Trail back to our cars.
Meet to leave at 8:00 at the ex- Food City (Illinois Ave) in Oak Ridge <see list>. Round trip mileages: drive- 180, hike about 8, rated easy to moderate, but with possibly difficult maneuver through Maudes Crack.
Leaders: David 216-0363 drspradlin@comcast.net
Lenny 482-5824 L croce@comcast.net
AT WORKTRIP
November 4 – Saturday ( or other dates)
No ATMN this month . Please contact an ATMC leader about helping with work.
PARSON LEAD
<date swap>November 11 – Saturday
This long, difficult, yet enjoyable route was first hiked in February 2005 by the leaders. The route starts from US-129 with an ascent up Dalton Gap Branch to Dalton Gap. We’ll turn there and head up the crest of the stateline ridge on the old A.T. Turning northwest below the summit of Parson Bald at around 4200’, we’ll visit the old wreckage of a Beechcraft plane, then continue along the open top of the Parson Lead as it curves around the headwaters of Black Gum Branch, over Hickory Top, and on around to Parson High Top , which has an excellent view in all directions, despite pine blowdowns. We will probably descend the very steep drainage of Sweet Gum Branch, and follow Bible Creek to the Parson Branch Road and back out to US-129 with a couple splash crossings on fords. We will hike through some scattered burn areas from a fire this spring. Hiking distance is a bit over 9 miles. Roundtrip drive is 66 miles from Maryville. It is rated difficult due to being entirely off-trail, with a 2600’ ascent to Parson Bald, and some blowdowns, green-briar and rhodo to negotiate. Any hiker wishing to try this outing should be in very good condition, as it is a demanding one. Please remember to bring a flashlight. Pre-registration required.
Leaders: Clyde (252) 527-0146 iceaxe@cox.net
Terri (865) 408-0822 tcox@nxs.net
HOUSE MOUNTAIN
EASY, Short Hike #1: November 12 - Sunday 4 miles
9:00 at Asheville Hwy Les Alley 690-3814
CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE PARK:
BLUE BEND and EAGLE FALLS LOOPS
These are two nice trails with quite a contrast. First the quiet solitude of Blue Bend trail, which doubles as Sheltowee Trace for a couple of easy miles alongside the Cumberland River. Overhanging bluffs, poplars and hemlocks are typical before the trail climbs a ridge on nice old roads. After crossing the paved road, the roar of Cumberland Falls can be heard at the start of the Eagle Falls Trail. There are nice views of the river gorge prior to a steep descent through huge boulders via stone stairs to the level of the river. Eagle Falls pours over the lip of the bluff into a beautiful pool nearby. Impressive Cumberland Falls can be viewed following the hike.
Meet at Hardees on TN-61 at I -75 (Exit 122) to leave at 8:00 AM. (The leaders would appreciate a club member volunteer to meet the group at Hardees, as they plan to spend the night prior to the hike at the park. Simple driving directions will be provided. Please contact the leader.) Hike 4.5 miles on Blue Bend, rated easy; hike 1.5 miles on Eagle Falls, rated moderate due to stairs and rocks. Drive 165 miles RT.
Leaders: Philip & Betty 694-0160 proyer@knology.net
BRUSHY MOUNTAIN
November 24 - Friday
Come join us and help celebrate Jim Quick’s 56th birthday on this challenging hike to Brushy Mountain. Our hike will begin in Greenbrier Cove and after a easy mile on the Porters Creek Trail we begin the Brushy Mountain Trail and possibly a quick detour to visit the former SMHC cabin. For the next 4.5 miles we’ll gain over 2600’. There are many rock walls along the way that provide some insight of the community that thrived here in the 20’s. We’ll have lunch on top of Brushy Mountain and with possibly a snow capped Mt. LeConte as the background. We’ll return the same way.
Meet at Asheville Hwy Food Lion <see list> at 8:00 AM. Round trip mileages: drive- 100, hike- 11.8, rated moderate to difficult.
Leaders: Bobby 621-1646 whiteblazing@yahoo.com
Jim 660-3351 james.quick@tnknox.ang.af.mil
HUSKEY GAP TRAIL – FIGHTING CREEK GAP
EASY, Short Hike #2: November 25 - Saturday 5.1 miles
Alcoa Food City 8:00 Laura 983-3808 tntanker@hotmail.com
MEETING PLACES: “Asheville Hwy Food Lion” = From exit 394 ramp off I -40 go left (east) out Asheville Hwy, US-11E/25W/70, 1.0 mi to signal light; turn left, then right into Food Lion lot ( not visible from Hwy intersection). Park along front edge, to left of entry. Far east side of Knoxville
"Food City in Alcoa"= on right between 3 rd & 4th stoplight (on Hall Rd., TN 35), just before Big Lots- where we are not wanted.
“ ex-Bi-Lo in Maryville” = just south of where US-129 & US-411 join, ( SW corner at traffic light, past Pilot/ Conoco). Meet at front of lot.
“ ex-Food City in Oak Ridge” on NE side of Illinois Ave. (TN-62), just SE of O.R. Turnpike, (TN-95). There are no identifying signs now. Meet in front edge near street, to right as you enter.
COMING EVENTS - December
2 - Sat Reservation Deadline for Installation Dinner
3 - Sun Albright Grove
9 - Sat Installation Banquet < Early Reservation Deadline >
16 - Sat House Mountain
It’s on the Club website, www.smhclub.org . Club members and others can meet there to ask questions, offer opinions, and hold discussions. The SMHC Board of Directors voted to add this message board system to the website to improve communications between the Board and the club members, as well as the public.
The message board can be accessed from a link on the left hand side of the Club website. Anyone can browse the posts on the board without registering.
In order to post a message, user registration is required. On the message board click on “Register” and follow the instructions. This keeps out spammers. Once you’ve entered your user information, the board will email you to ask you to confirm the email address supplied, and also the board administrator has to approve the registration. When that has occurred, you will be able to post messages.
INSTALLATION DINNER SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2006
We would like to invite all members, friends and family to our annual Installation Dinner. The location is same as last year, at the Church of the Good Samaritan, 425 North Cedar Bluff Road, and 0.3 miles north of I-40 on the left (just past Pilot & Dunkin; only the sign is visible) . Meet at Fellowship Hall.
Social hour: 6-7 PM. Dinner: 7 PM.
With our theme for the year “Old Timers Celebration” we have asked a well known Old Timer to be our featured speaker, Bonnie Myers. She is a delightful humorous speaker at the Wilderness Wildlife Week and has written several books including “Best Yet Stories of the Early Life & Times of Smoky Mountain People” and a book about the “Walker Sisters – Spirited Women of the Smokies”. Bonnie was born on Dec. 1, 1921 in what we now call the GSMNP. She will speak on the subject of her life and experiences, then and now.
The program will continue with the service awards, photography awards, honoring of the 50-year members, and installation of the 2006 board.
Dinner will cost $15 each. If you have been a SMHC member for 50 or more years, since 1956, the cost is free, but please still make your reservation and entree choice (see below).
¨ Reservation deadline is Saturday December 2 nd Email or call one of the social team members listed below. Give us your full name, phone number, number in party, and entrée choice for each person attending.
The entrée choices are: Vegetable Alfredo or Grilled Chicken.
Social Team Members : Rae Jones 558-9154 tnrae07@peoplepc.com
Lucinda Turbeville 945-1441 lucindaturbeville@comcast.net
Cata Folks 982-3890 Cathy Hickam 691-9614