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• Newfound Gap to Charlies Bunion Conservation History Hike (Sunday)

  • When
    09/15/2024
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Newfound Gap parking area, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    9

  Register

  The idea of establishing a national park in the mountains of East Tennessee and North Carolina began in the late 1890's. After much work, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in September of 1940 at the Rockefeller Memorial at Newfound Gap where this hike begins. From Newfound Gap we will travel north on the AT, enjoying several nice views along the way. At 4 miles we will arrive at the Charlies Bunion rock outcropping. Return the same way. Hike is 8 miles round trip, with 1100 feet elevation gain. Rated Moderate. Meet at the Newfound Gap parking area ready to hike at 8:30 am. Carpoolers meet at Strawberry Plains Cracker Barrel at 7 AM (1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, 37914). Park at right side of lot facing Weigels. 108 miles RT x $.07 = $7.50 to driver. Drivers must have a Smokies parking sticker. Hike limited to 20 hikers.

  Leaders: Cindy Spangler & Sally Brogden

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Wednesday Hike: Rabbit Creek/Hannah Mountain to Campsite 14

  • When
    09/18/2024
  •  
    8:45 AM
  • Location
    Abrams Creek Ranger Station, GSMNP

  Register

  This 11.8 mile in and out hike is rated moderately difficult due to the climb up Rabbit Creek. Bring water shoes. If the creek is too high, we will do the usual loop from the ranger station. Meet at Alcoa Krogers on S. Hall Rd. at 8:00 a.m. or Abrams Creek Ranger Station at 8:45 a.m. Leader will meet at trailhead. 30 miles @ .07/mile=$2.10

  Leader: Michael Zielinski

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Cane Creek/Cooper Road/Beard Cane/Old Boundary Trail Loop

  • When
    09/21/2024
  •  
    7:30 AM
  • Location
    Kroger, 244 S Hall Road, Alcoa
  • Spaces left
    11

  Register

  This loop hike connects remote trails in the northwest corner of the GSMNP, beginning and ending on private property. We start at the extension of the Cane Creek Trail at my house, then connect with the Cooper Road Trail, then to the Beard Cane Trail. Shortly after our 3rd or 4th creek crossing (in low water hopefully just rock hops), we hike up towards, but not to, Ace Gap where we will connect with the defunct Boundary Trail. From there we will find our way back to the Cane Creek Trail and back to my house. Total mileage will be around 12 miles, rated difficult due to the distance and the last 2 miles that may be less tame. Carpool from Kroger at 244 S Hall Road, Alcoa. Meet on the Gill Street side near the KARM store. Leave at 7:30 a.m. driving 26 miles round trip. At $0.07 per mile = $1.82 suggested to drivers (O.K. to round to $2). The leader will meet the group at the end of West Millers Cove Road in Walland by 8:00 a.m.
  
  This hike is limited to 12 people.

  Leader: Taylor Weatherbee

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Porters Creek to Backcountry Campsite 31

  • When
    09/28/2024
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Greenbrier Ranger Station, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    16

  Register

  Qualifying Centennial Challenge Hike

  On this classic Club hike, we will start on a gravel jeep road. Along the first mile there are several historical sites, including remnants of an old cemetery, the Messer Farmstead (recently destroyed by high winds), and the SMHC “Cabin in the Brier.” The trail continues to the left and uphill, crossing a significant log bridge and beginning the slow ascent to BCS 31. We will pass Fern Falls (at 2 miles) before arriving at the campsite where we will enjoy lunch. We return the same way. The hike is 7.2 miles. Rated moderate. Note: we will meet at the Greenbrier Ranger Station at 8:30 am and then carpool to the trailhead. Parking spaces may be limited at the trailhead, and I would like to get parked and on the trail as soon as possible. Email the hike leader for specific driving directions if required. Hike cancellation plan: look at your email before you leave for the trailhead. I will email you the evening before if I decide the weather at the trail creates a hazard.

  Leader: Steve Dunkin

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Wednesday Hike: Lead Cove/Bote Mountain to Thunderhead

  • When
    10/02/2024
  •  
    7:45 AM
  • Location
    Lead Cove trailhead, Laurel Creek Road, GSMNP

  Register

  Qualifying Centennial Challenge Hike

  This challenging, out and back hike starts at Lead Cove trailhead ascent 1.8 mile up to junction with Bote Mountain trail (1,250 ft. climb),where we ascend this scenic (and rocky) trail south along the ridge, up to the junction with the Appalachian Trail near Spence Field shelter (2.9 miles and 1,850 ft climb). After a rest break we will go east on the Appalachian Trail, up Thunderhead Mountain to Rocky Top (1.3 miles with 800 ft. Climb) for lunch. Another 0.6 miles will bring us to the USGS marker on Thunderhead. We should have spectacular views from Rocky Top if it is a clear day. Return the same way. Total of 13.2 miles and ~4,000 ft . total elevation gain. Rated difficult. For carpooling, meet at Kroger on 244 S Hall Rd, Alcoa,TN at 7:00 a.m,. 52 miles RT @.07=$3.75 (round to $4) Or at Lead Cove trailhead at 7:45am. Leader will meet at the trailhead, not the carpool site.

  Leader: Louise Miniard

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• 2024 Centennial Banquet

  • When
    10/05/2024
  •  
    6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919

  Register

  On Saturday October 5, 2024, the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club is proud to host the capstone event of our 100th birthday! 2024 so far has been marked by so many wonderful events to celebrate our Club—let’s gather together in October, the same month 100 years ago when a group of visionary local leaders and residents hiked to Mt LeConte (without benefit of trails!) and “agreed that their inspiring experience should be shared with others…”

  • 6-6:45 pm: Reception with historical displays
  • 6:45 pm: Dinner
  • 7:30-8:15 pm: Speakers
  • • Christine Hoyer, Former Chief Backcountry Specialist with the GRSM, currently Employee Wellness Program Analyst for the National Park Service.
    • Keynote Address: Charles Maynard, Pastor of Generosity & Traditional Worship at Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, first Executive Director of Friends of the Smokies, author of more than 30 books and numerous articles, storyteller and avid hiker.
  • 8:15 pm: Premiere of “100 Years of The Smoky Mountains Hiking Club,” video produced by Ann Farrar, SMHC member.

  There will be many other things to enjoy during the evening. For example, each attendee will have the opportunity to share a written memory or short tale about the club or a special person connected to it. These memories will be collected and archived.

  Where: Bearden Banquet Hall, 5806 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919
  When: Saturday October 5, 2024, 6-9pm
  Cost: $40 per person
  Registration Deadline: Friday September 27, 2024 but you are encouraged to register early. Seating is limited for this event.
  

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• Easy Hike: Ijams Geology Walk (Sunday)

  • When
    10/06/2024
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • Location
    Meads Quarry, 3526 Island Home Ave, Knoxville

  Register

  Most visitors to the popular Ijams Nature Center go to see beautiful forested areas with a diversity of wildflowers, varied wildlife, and interesting cultural features. In this walk we will take a closer look at the geology of Ijams and by extension to most of the Knoxville Urban Wilderness. Walking along several trails we will examine intriguing rock bluffs and geological features including caves exposed by old quarry pits that were the site of extensive marble quarrying around the turn of the 20th century. Hike is about 3 miles, rated easy. Meet at Meads Quarry, by the restrooms at 3526 Island Home Ave in South Knoxville, 1:00pm.

  Leader: Mac Post

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Wednesday Hike: Needles Eye, Big South Fork

  • When
    10/09/2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Leatherwood Ford parking area, BSF

  Register

  We will begin at the Leatherwood Ford Bridge parking lot in Big South Fork. We’ll hike north along the John Muir Trail, with views of the Big South Fork River. We’ll cross the O&W bridge and start climbing to see Devils Den (huge rock house), a spectacular overlook of the river, and perhaps a little fall foliage. Winding among several crisscrossing pathways we’ll make our way to a rather ordinary looking spur trail that leads to the Needles Eye, an incredible sandstone formation in the Big South Fork. The hike is 8.6 rather rugged miles. Rated Moderate. Meet at Hardee’s, 107 Buffalo Rd. near I-75, Clinton, TN at 8 a.m. or at Leatherwood Ford parking area at 9 a.m.. Drive 110 miles RT {@.07miles=$7.70}. The leader will meet at the trail head.

  Leader: Louise Miniard

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    10/12/2024
  • Location
    Newfound Gap, GSMNP

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Newfound Gap to Icewater Springs. This is our most heavily used section of trail, and it sees a lot of wear each season. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

  Leader: Franklin LaFond
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Off Trail Hike: Rocky Crag via the Righteous Way - Jim Thompson Legacy Hike

  • When
    10/12/2024

  On this classic off-trail exploration we will venture up old manways, rock hop wild creeks, and climb rugged knife edge ridges, much in the same manner as did Jim Thompson when he was scouring the backcountry and taking iconic photographs of the Smokies. Not only was Thompson a nationally renowned photographer but was also a charter member of the SMHC as well as one of the Club's early presidents. In addition, Thompson was instrumental in marking the AT through the eastern end of the Smokies. Starting in Greenbrier we will hike up the Porters Creek Trail, then follow the lower section of the Dry Sluice Manway, before rock hopping up Lester Prong as a prelude to a strenuous scramble up the wildly steep side of Rocky Crag. Once atop "the Pyramid", if the clouds cooperate, we will soak in the wonderful (hopefully colorful) views of the surrounding mountains. Alternating between rock scrambling and bush crawling we will negotiate our way along the narrow knife-edge ridge, eventually reaching the AT. After a short stroll along the AT, we will plunge down the exceedingly steep Dry Sluice Manway to make our way back to our cars. Hike is about 11.5 miles, rated very difficult. Previous off-trail experience required.

  Leaders: Kindel Page and Todd Long

  To register, contact the leaders directly. You can find contact information in the October 2024 newsletter writeup for this hike.

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• Backpack: Thomas Divide and Sunkota Ridge to CS 51

  • Start
    10/12/2024
  • End
    10/13/2024
  • Location
    Thomas Divide trailhead, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    6

  Register

  After leaving a car at the lower end of Thomas divide Trail at Galbrath Creek Road, we will drive back up to the Upper Thomas divide trailhead off 441 and begin hiking mostly downhill and enjoy the early fall views at higher elevation. We will turn off at the Sunkota Ridge trail junction and hike over to the intersection with Indian Creek Trail which we follow about 2 miles down to Deeplow Gap Trail junction and Campsite 51 where we setup camp for the night. In the morning, we will pack up and hike up Deeplow Gap trail a short way to the junction with lower Thomas Divide Trail which we will follow to the parked car and shuttle back to the start. Hike 12.2 miles mostly downhill Saturday and 7 miles Sunday with an elevation gain of 2000 feet. Rated Difficult. Drive 150 miles, round trip. Contact leaders for carpool information.

  Leaders: Tim Bigelow and Steve Dunkin

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• East Lakeshore Trail-Sinking Creek Branch (Sunday)

  • When
    10/13/2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Cracker Barrel, 325 Fort Loudoun Medical Center Dr, Lenoir City, TN 37772

  Register

  Hike nine miles along beautiful Tellico Lake, out and back. Cumulative ascent of 1325 feet. Moderately easy. Bring a trail lunch and water. We will begin the hike at the sinking Creek trailhead at the end of National Campground Road at 9:30 a.m. Meet at the Lenoir City Cracker Barrel by 9:00 a.m. Drive 20 miles. RT @ $0.07 = $1.40.

  Leader: Terry Nyenhuis

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Hemphill Bald Loop from Polls Gap

  • When
    10/19/2024
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Hemphill Bald trailhead, Polls Gap, GSMNP

  Register

  The Hemphill Bald Loop from Polls Gap is a challenging 13.6-mile hike with much to offer from big trees to outstanding views. The hike will start on the Rough Fork Trail which follows an old railroad grade gradually downhill for the first 2.5 miles. After the initial gradual decent the trail goes downhill steeply to the junction with Caldwell Fork Trail. We will proceed down Caldwell Fork where we will take a break to view one of the largest poplars in the Smokies. The giant tree is at the edge of an area of virgin forest and is a sight to behold. After the break at the poplar we will continue a short distance to the junction with the Hemphill Bald Trail. Here we begin our toughest climb of the day climbing almost 1,800’ over the next 2.9 miles to Double Gap. Along the way we pass by a huge Northern red oak with a 6’ diameter trunk. After we stop to catch our breath at Double Gap we will climb the final .7 miles up to Hemphill Bald where we will stop for lunch and admire the gorgeous views. After lunch we will continue on the Hemphill Bald Trail back to our starting point at Polls Gap. Hike is 13.6 miles, rated Difficult due to the distance and elevation gain. Carpoolers meet at Strawberry Plains Cracker Barrel at 7:00 a.m. (1510 Cracker Barrel Lane). Park on right side facing Weigels. 196 miles RT x $.07 = $13.72 to driver. Drivers must have Smokies Parking Pass. Or meet at the Hemphill Bald trailhead at Polls Gap at 9:00 a.m.

  Leader: Steve Dickinson and Debby Van Dine

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Lead Cove/Bote Mountain to Thunderhead

  • When
    10/26/2024
  •  
    7:45 AM
  • Location
    Lead Cove trailhead, Laurel Creek Road, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    24

  Register

  Qualifying Centennial Challenge Hike

  As early as 1926, this hike was a favorite of the SMHC, repeated annually for a number of years. In the old days, the Club did this hike in two days. We will take this challenging hike in just one. We will start on the Lead Cove Trail, then pick up the Bote Mountain Trail and finish climbing the 3,100 feet to reach Spence Field and the AT. After a rest, we will continue our climb along the AT, first stopping at Rocky Top to pay homage to football season, then continuing to Thunderhead. There will be excellent views along the way if the difficulty of the climb lets us enjoy them. Return the same way. Total of 13.2 miles and ~4,000 ft . total elevation gain. Rated difficult. For carpooling, meet at Kroger on 244 S Hall Rd, Alcoa,TN at 7:00am (52 miles RT @.07=$3.75 (Round to $4). Or at Lead Cove TH at 7:45am.

  Leader: Randy Mitchell

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    11/02/2024
  • Location
    GSMNP

  November is time to start winding down the trail maintenance season. This work day will be focused on cleaning, sharpening, repairing, inventorying, and storing the club’s tools for the winter. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

  Leader: Franklin LaFond
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• 2024 Holiday Banquet

  • When
    12/14/2024
  • Location
    Fox Den Country Club, 12284 N. Fox Den Drive Knoxville, TN 37934

  SAVE THE DATE for our HOLIDAY INSTALLATION BANQUET!

  December 14 (Saturday) — Fox Den Country Club

  Join us for an evening of good food and good friends as we install the SMHC officers for 2025, present awards, and reminisce about our Centennial year activities! More details will be coming soon.

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