Smoky Mountains Hiking Club
Schedule for February 2007
(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 February
4 - Sun Frozen Head: Bird Mtn & New CT Section
7 - Wed North Ridge Trail in Oak Ridge
10 - Sat EZ: Chestnut Top Trail
10-11 - S&S BackPack: Little River, Goshen Prong to site #23
17 - Sat Rube Rock, Groundhog Creek ( AT (NF near I-40) )
21 - Wed Frozen Head: N. & S. Old Mac +Fire Tower
25 - Sun Mt Sterling via Big Branch Manway/
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FROZEN HEAD SP: BIRD NOUNTAIN... NEW C.T. SECTION
February 4... Sunday
We'll begin this hike at the gated jeep road behind the camping area and after a few hundred yards begin the approximately 1500' ascent of the Bird Mtn. Trail via a series of switchbacks. Upon arriving near the base of Castle Rock the Bird Mtn. Trail intersects with the old North Bird Mtn. Trail and goes for about a quarter mile to the Western end of Castle Rock where it makes a hard right turn and parallels Castle Rock. At this hard right we bear left and generally follow the ridge line on the newly opened Cumberland Trail section (as of early November it still wasn't blazed). We should have some excellent views if the weather cooperates. After a couple miles we'll come to a dirt/gravel road at Ross Gap and begin the descent to Flat Fork Road. At Flat Fork Rd. there will be about a one-half mile road walk to the edge of the Park at Rocky Fork field where shuttle vehicles will be located.
Meet at 9:00 at the ex-Food City in Oak Ridge <see list> Round trip mileages: drive- 50, hike- about 6.5. Rated moderate. Caution: Even though the weather may be nice at the Visitor's Center it may be quite chilly and windy along the ridge line. Dress appropriately.
Leaders: Keith 982-7368 keithmertz@hotmail.com
Gary 376-2708gramet@att.net
EASY, Short Hike: February 10 - Saturday 5 miles
Meet at Alcoa Food City 9:00. Cata 983-3890
BACKPACK: LITTLE RIVER and GOSHEN PRONG TRAILSTO CAMPSITE #23
February 10--11 Saturday--Sunday
We scheduled this as a winter backpack, but with the early January weather who knows what to expect? We have changed our campsite destination slightly from the Handbook description because of several possible deep water crossings needed to get to the original Campsite #30. We will still hike up the Little River Trail from Elkmont, but will turn west across the bridge on the Goshen Ridge Trail and follow it to Campsite #23 on Fish Camp Prong. These are "hiker-only" trails as is the campsite. The site is nestled in the headwaters of the Smokies, less than three air miles from the Appalachian Trail. There will be several fords of Fish Camp Prong tributaries but otherwise the hiking is easy since most of the route is on old railroad grades and is unusually level. Party size is limited to 8 by the NPS, so pre-registration with the trip leader is required. Driving distance is about 94 miles from Knoxville roundtrip and hiking distance will be about 6.0 miles each day. Elevation gain is 960 feet. Rated easy except for the tributary creek crossings and winter temperatures. Leader: Will 523-2272 Home; 521-6200 Work;
742-7327 Cell whshome@bellsouth.net.
***>>> MID-WEEK HIKES <<<***
Feb 7 - North Ridge Trail in O. R. 7 mi. Lunch after at Magnolia TreeFeb 21 - Frozen Head: N. & S. Old Mac +Fire Tower 8 mi.
Both leave from ex-Food City in Oak Ridge at 9:00
Jean 483-9862 jbangham@comcast.net
RUBE ROCK, GROUNDHOG CREEK, AND A.T.
February 17, Saturday
This is a moderate hike if there is no snow. Otherwise it could be a bit difficult. It's in the Pisgah National Forest southeast of Max Patch. Our trailhead is the A.T. at Brown Gap, reached from the Harmon Den exit off I-40 via FS-148 and 148A (3 and 1.5 miles). FS-148A is a good unpaved road, but steep enough that, with a significant amount of snow, front-drive cars, even with chains, could have a problem. We will go west (AT south) for a short distance and turn downhill on the Rube Rock Trail which takes us to near I-40. Contouring around the mountain above I-40, we soon reach Groundhog Creek. Evidence of a former logging railroad will be seen here. Turning uphill on Groundhog Creek we return to the A.T. at the Groundhog Creek trail shelter. The A.T. takes us back to Brown Gap. This area was railroad logged before it became a part of the Pisgah NF, but has recovered well. We will cross logging roads, but will probably see no signs of logging at this time. Due to the short daylight hours, and the possibility of snow, we will meet at the Asheville Hwy Food Lion to leave at 7:30 AM. Hike about 8.5 miles, drive about 140 miles round trip. If snow prevents us from getting to Brown Gap but we can get to Max Patch, a shorter substitute hike will be done.
Leaders: Ray 693-6944 rpayne10@bellsouth.net
Barbara 558-9214 b-tallen@msn.com
A.T. MAINTAINERS APPRECIATION DINNER
February 24, Saturday
If you do any A.T. work, or would like to, or just want to meet those who are now doing it, please check out the writeup in the ATMNews and join this evening's fun and food and stories by Bob Lochbaum. He's done at least 13 times what the "900 Milers" do, and that with fancy measuring stuff.
MT. STERLING VIA BIG BRANCH MANWAY
February 25, Sunday
Join us for a challenging winter hike with potential for great views if weather cooperates. Our route starts at the Baxter Creek trailhead at the Big Creek picnic area just inside the Park near Waterville, NC. We cross the steel footbridge, and turn left to find the Big Branch manway. We follow Big Branch for about 1.2 miles before climbing Mt. Sterling Ridge and eventually running into the Baxter Creek Trail at 4400' elevation. The manway, constructed in the 1930's by the CCC, is still in good shape despite receiving no NPS maintenance for over 50 years, but be prepared for some bushwhacking activity. Another 1.8 miles distance and 1400' more climb on the Baxter Creek Trail brings us to the Mt. Sterling fire tower. We will return via a descent entirely on the Baxter Creek Trail.Meet at Asheville Hwy Food Lion <see list> at 8 AM. Round trip mileages: drive- 130, hike- 12. Due to the 4100 ft elevation gain, this hike is rated difficult. Be sure your pack is stocked for the contingencies of a winter hike.
Leaders: Mike 691-4742 mike_harr@bellsouth.netMichael 686-1803 mvaughn@knology.net
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-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.
3 - Sat AT: Pump Gap Loop via Lovers Leap9 - Fri Spring (Slide) Photos Show (Oak Ridge)10 - Sat* Little Laurel Creek <off-trail sampler>18 - Sun Laurel- Snow Pocket Wilderness24 - Sat Rhododendron Creek & Injun Creek Manways31 - Sat Walls of Jericho* note date change vs Handbook