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• Wednesday Hike: Pickett State Park Loop

  • When
    02/08/2023
  •  
    9:45 AM
  • Location
    Pickett State Park Visitors Center, 4605 Pickett Park Hwy, Jamestown, TN 38556
  • Spaces left
    10

  Register

  For this fun hike, we will combine a number of shorter trails in Pickett that will allow us to hike virtually every trail on the west side of the park. We’ll start at the Hazard Cave Trail, then pick up Ridge, Lakeview, Lake, Bluff, Island, and Natural Bridge Trails, before going back to our cars. Along the way, we’ll see wonderful rock formations and CCC camp historical areas. 9.2 miles. Rated moderate. Meet at Books-a-Million, 310 S Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge at 8am or at the Pickett SP Visitor Center at 9:45am. RT drive 145 miles= $14.50.

  Leader: Diane Petrilla

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

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• East Tellico Lakeshore Trail, Sinking Creek and Lotterdale Branch

  • When
    02/11/2023
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Wal-Mart, 2410 US-411, Maryville, TN 37801

  Register

  Let's enjoy some lake views as we hike. Starting at the Coytee trailhead we will do the Sinking Creek Branch and Lotterdale Branch sections for 8.3 miles. This will involve a short car shuttle. Rated moderate due to the distance. Meet at the Maryville Walmart at 8:30. Drive 35 miles RT. 0.10x35= $3.50.

  Leaders: David Smith and John Smiley

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

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• Wednesday Hike: Mt. Cammerer from Davenport Gap via the AT

  • When
    02/15/2023
  •  
    9:15 AM
  • Location
    Davenport Gap, TN-32, Cosby, TN 37722

  Register

  Let’s climb to Mt. Cammerer the “other” way, via the A.T,. at Davenport Gap. The 3000 ft. ascent is fairly gradual, passing junctions with Chestnut Branch Trail and Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail. There is a long sturdy rock wall built by the CCC as we get higher, and some magnificent views towards the Pigeon River Valley and the Black Mountains. As long as trail conditions permit, we will take the 0.6 mile spur trail to Mt. Cammerer. Total hike mileage 12.6, rated moderate to difficult. Some folks may choose to just go partway up the AT, for a slightly easier hike. Meet at Cracker Barrel Strawberry Plains, 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, Knoxville, at 8am or at Davenport Gap at 9:15am. RT drive 110 miles= $11.00.

  Leader: Diane Petrilla

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

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• Elkmont to Tremont or to Metcalf Bottoms

  • When
    02/18/2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Food City, 121 North Hall Rd, Alcoa, TN

  Register

  The planned hike as described in the handbook is to hike from Elkmont to Tremont by way of the Meigs Mountain Trail and the Lumber Ridge Trail for a total hiking distance of 10.4 miles. However, the Lumber Ridge Trail is closed as of this writing but may be open by February 18. If it is not open at the time of the hike, we will exit off the Meigs Mountain trail and go down the Curry Mountain trail to Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area for a total of 7.7 miles. Both routes are rated moderate. We will have a car shuttle to Elkmont from either the Tremont Institute or from Metcalf Bottoms depending on which hiking route we end up taking. Meet at the old Food City in Alcoa at 8:00 a.m. If you wish to meet at the shuttle point, please contact the leader. Round trip drive is about 70 miles. 0.10 X 70 = $7.00

  Leader: Brian Worley

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

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• Off Trail Hike: The Catstairs

  • When
    02/25/2023

  A trip up the Catstairs in Greenbrier is one of those iconic hikes that all adventurous lovers of the Smokies should take. On this outing, we’ll put a new spin on the traditional route with an approach from the north face of the Pinnacle along Catstairs Branch. The first mile or so will feature a walk along Timothy Creek and its tributary across relatively gentle terrain, but the way will eventually turn quite steep. As we quickly gain elevation, we’ll have to negotiate a treacherous but beautiful boulder field of giant moss-covered rocks randomly scattered down the mountainside. After a while, we’ll come to a towering cliff line that conceals one of the most interesting rock formations in the park. Our path to the top of the bluff will pass up the Kitty Crack, a narrow tunnel that twists and turns through the rock. From there, we’ll descend the Catstairs and make our way back to the Old Settlers Trail. This off trail hike is rated difficult.

  Leaders: David Sands and Ken Wise

  To register, contact the leader directly via email, text or phone. You can find contact information in the February 2023 newsletter writeup for this hike.

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• Pogue Creek Canyon

  • When
    02/25/2023
  •  
    9:45 AM
  • Location
    Pogue Creek Canyon parking area, Jamestown, TN 38556

  Register

  For this hike, we will explore the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, near Pickett State Park. Starting with one arm of the Overlook Loop, we will visit the Pogue Canyon Overlook, then hike the new trail down off the plateau, where we will ascend and descend small gorges, hike under fabulous sandstone bluffs with unusual geologic formations including a very unique arch. Then we will hike on to a beautiful overlook at the terminus of this in and out hike. On our return, we will close the second half of the Overlook Loop. There are ladders and steep steps involved on this trail. Hike approximately 8-9 miles rated moderate. Rt drive 140 miles RT = $14.00. Meet at Books-a-Million, 310 S. Illinois Ave., Oak Ridge at 8am or at Pogue Creek Canyon parking area at 9:45am.

  Leader: Diane Petrilla

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

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    03/04/2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Nantahala National Forest
  • Spaces left
    20

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab and winter blowdown removal in National Forest between Stecoah Gap and Fontana Dam. 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.

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

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    04/01/2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Fontana Dam, GSMNP
  • Spaces left
    20

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Fontana Dam and Campsite 113/Birch Springs. 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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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    05/06/2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Davenport Gap, GSMNP

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Davenport Gap and Mt Cammerer Side Trail. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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

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• National Trails Day

  • When
    06/03/2023
  • Location
    GSMNP

  Join us to celebrate our club’s 26th annual NTD event! We are optimistic that in 2023, following a day of good hard work on the Appalachian Trail, that we can gather for a picnic again at Metcalf Bottoms. NTD is an opportunity to work in crews, with experienced maintainers, to see just what goes into those beautiful trials we hike on, and in particular, the maintenance of the A.T., which our hiking club has cared for, for almost 100 years.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    07/08/2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Fontana Dam, GSMNP

  This work trip will support the annual A.T. Konnarock Trail Crew in the National Forest. Each year, volunteers from across the country sign up for this ATC Sponsored summer trail crew for a week at a time, over a 2 week period. The crew will be building a new trail relocation near the Fontana Marina. The crew will be on location for several days, and will base camp in the area. SMHC volunteers that participate for 3 or more days on the project will receive an ATC Trails Crew T-Shirt.

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

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    08/05/2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    GSMNP

  Each season, several hundred pounds of mulch are needed to help our backcountry privies compost effectively. This work trip will focus on packing mulch to one or more of our backcountry privy locations that is less than 5 miles from the trailhead. Mulch is put in 20lb. bags for carrying. The club has extra backpacking-style backpacks if needed. Anyone available to help is greatly appreciated! Lets go, Mulch Mules!

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

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    09/09/2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Cosby Campground Hiker Parking, GSMNP, Cosby, TN

  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Mt Cammerer Fire Tower and Camel Gap. Access to the work area will be via the 2.5 mile Low Gap Trail, starting at the Cosby Campground. Specific locations of work will be based on prioritization of work needed.

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

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    10/07/2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • 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.

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

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    11/04/2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Sugarlands Visitors Center, GSMNP

  November is time to start winding down the trail maintenance season. This work day will be focused on cleaning, repairing, inventorying, and storing the club’s tools for the winter.

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

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