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• Off Trail Hike: Tater Ridge

  • When
    06/28/2025

  Given the damage to the east end of the park by Hurricane Helene, and the lingering closure of roads in the area, the club is replacing the Big Branch off-trail hike with an off-trail hike featuring Tater Ridge in Cades Cove.

  The hike starts at the Methodist Church on the Cades Cove Loop (parking is limited), follows the Loop Road briefly, then climbs up Rich Mountain Road to the crest of Tater Ridge. The long climb up the open crest of Tater Ridge leads us to a short section of the Rich Mountain Trail. From the Overlook we’ll drop down Cave Ridge to Gregory Cave, and then finally back to the Loop Road.

  Total distance is 6 miles, including 1700’ of climb, and is rated moderate for off trail. 

  Pre-registration with one of the leaders is required:

  Leaders: Hiram Rogers | hiramrogers@yahoo.com | 865-789-5008 Mark Shipley | shipleymark57@gmail.com

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• Wednesday Hike: Frozen Head State Park-Bird Mountain/Lookout Tower Trail/North Old Mac Loop

  • When
    07/09/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Old Mac Trailhead
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  After a ~0.3 mile walk to the trailhead, we ascend Bird Mountain through 14 switchbacks, past Castle Rock, east along the ridge to Lookout Tower Trail (mile 4.9). We continue east, then south for lunch at Tub Spring campsite (mile 7.9). Some of us might visit the Lookout Tower (extra 0.8 mile). After lunch, we go 0.25 mile north to North Old Mac Trail and follow it back to the parking lot. Total, ~11.1 miles, with ~2,500 ft. climb (rated Moderately Difficult).

  [A shorter, alternative loop starts at the Bird Mountain Trail junction with Lookout Tower West Trail, heading southwest down to trailhead parking (~8.2 miles, ~1,850 ft. climb, rated Moderate).]

  For carpooling meet at Books A Million in Oak Ridge ready to leave at 7:45 am. Drive 48 miles RT [@ 7¢ / mile = $3.36; OK to round up], or at Old Mac Trailhead parking, ready to hike at 8:30 am. Leader will meet at trailhead.

  
  

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip - Icewater Springs

  • When
    07/12/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Newfound Gap Trailhead

  Register

  The July 12th work trip will install locust logs as box steps and crib walls on a heavily eroded section of trail ¼ mile north of Icewater Springs Shelter. We need a large number of individuals to help carry logs from the Boulevard Junction to the work areas. We will drill holes in the logs and then pin them together with long spikes. The final result will look similar to what the Trails Forever Program has done on other trails in the park. Participants will need to wear sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate attire. Bring gloves, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Tools will be provided. If you have a favorite tool you prefer to use, please bring those as well.

  Carpool from the Sugarlands Visitor Center RV Parking Lot at 8:00am. The alternative meeting point is at Newfound Gap trailhead at 8:30am.

  Contact: Franklin LaFond 678-464-3380 ox97GaMe@aol.com

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• Seven Islands State Birding Park – Easy Hike

  • When
    07/12/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Seven Islands State Birding Park
  • Spaces left
    25

  Register

  We will meet in the parking lot of the park at 9 AM. This is an easy 3-mile hike with the option of going further. We will see what is blooming in the wildflower garden, then explore the Blue Bird Barn before heading down the paved path toward the bridge. After crossing the bridge, we will loop the island. If we are fortunate, we might see some herons or water birds. On return, we can walk a bit next to the river and snack before taking the Seven Island Loop Trail, visiting a second barn before heading back on the paved trail to the parking lot. Anyone not familiar with this park can go to the website and find a fantastic description.

  To get there, take I-40 East coming from Knoxville to Exit 402. Travel right on Midway Rd and keep left on Midway Rd. Turn right on to Kelly Lane into the parking lot.

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• Sunday Hike (Car Shuttle): Mount LeConte-Up Alum Cave, Down Boulevard

  • When
    07/13/2025
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Newfound Gap GSMNP

  Register

  We will meet at Newfound Gap and shuttle down to the Alum Cave trail. This is a popular trail, so we need to arrive early to get a parking spot near the trailhead. On the way up, we will pass the bluffs, Arch Rock, and look for the Eye of the Needle. Then we’ll take the Boulevard trail to the A.T. and out to Newfound Gap.

  The hike is 13 miles with a total climb of 4300 feet and a total descent of 3140 feet. Rated difficult. Hikers should be regularly hiking 8 miles or more with continuous elevation gains of 500 feet per mile for 5 miles and be comfortable maintaining a 2.0-2.5 mph pace for 10 miles.

  Meet to carpool at the Cracker Barrel, 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, Knoxville (exit 398 I-40). Be ready to leave at 5:15 A.M. The drive to Newfound Gap via I-40, 66 (exit 407), 441 is 96 miles round trip. $0.07/mile = $6.72 rounded up to $7.00 cash for the driver.

  Alternatively, meet at the Newfound Gap parking lot at 7:00 A.M. The hike leader will meet everyone at Newfound Gap. Email the hike leader after you register with your choice of meeting location.

  Leaders: Neil Snepp | nsnepp@comcast.net

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• Off Trail Hike: The Thousand-Foot Scar

  • When
    07/19/2025

  As you may or may not know, Western North Carolina and East Tennessee were visited by a malicious hurricane of evil intent last September that delivered massive flooding in certain sections of our Smoky Mountains. One of the areas hit worst was Big Creek, which harbors the approach to the Middle Fork of Gunter Fork off-trail hike scheduled for July 12th. With the bridge at Walnut Bottom washed out and the crossing of Big Creek appearing to be perilous, we are straining in forcing ourselves to exercise both prudence and caution in cancelling the Gunter Fork hike.

  Nevertheless, we are substituting a relatively moderate hike up the ever-popular Thousand-Foot Scar off Trout Branch. Please note, the date for the Thousand-Foot Scar off-trail hike is Saturday, July 19.

  Pre-registration with one of the leaders is required.

  Leaders: Ken Wise | 865-310-7764 | kwise@utk.edu

  Todd Long | 865-406-2421 | toddmlong@gmail.com

  
  

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• Kuwohi to Newfound Gap

  • When
    07/19/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Kuwohi Parking Lot GSMNP

  Register

  Hello adventure seekers! Ready for a fantastic hike in the Great Smoky Mountains? Join us as we follow a scenic trek along the Appalachian Trail from Kuwohi (aka Clingmans Dome) to the parking lot at Newfound Gap. This hike combines breathtaking views from the highest elevation on the AT, a touch of challenge, and the thrill of walking one of America’s most legendary trails—all wrapped in the beauty of the Smokies! (Be aware that the weather can affect the views if it’s a cloudy or foggy day.) This hike is rated as moderate, at approximately 8 miles with 1,200 feet of elevation gain.

  Special Note: This will be a shuttle hike; volunteers are needed—please let the leader know if you are available to park your vehicle at Newfound Gap and return hikers to Kuwohi at the end of the hike.

  To carpool, meet at Cracker Barrel Strawberry Plains, 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, southeast corner of the parking lot, at 7:00 AM (110 miles x $0.07 per mile = $8.00 rounded) or at Kuwohi Parking Lot at 9:00 AM. Shuttle drivers meet in the Newfound Gap parking lot at 8:30 AM.

  Leader: Brian Mason | BMason997@yahoo.com
  

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• Wednesday Hike: Porters Creek / Brushy Mountain

  • When
    07/23/2025
  •  
    8:45 AM
  • Location
    Porters Creek Trailhead GSMNP

  Register

  In Greenbrier, we begin at the Porters Creek trailhead. We go ~1 mile along Porters Creek, past a cemetery, past the spur to the old SMHC cabin, before turning north up Brushy Mountain. The trail climbs gently through moist forest, gets steeper, and has a few switchbacks on the way to Trillium Gap (~mile 5.5). Some may prefer to lunch there in a shady spot. Others may lunch at the summit, ~0.4 mile uphill on the heath bald, in the sunshine with spectacular views (in clear weather). Return the same way. Hike: 11.8 miles with ~3,000 ft. climb. Rated Difficult.

  To carpool, meet at Cracker Barrel off I-40 at Exit 398, 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, southeast corner of the parking lot, ready to leave at 7:15 am. Drive: 80 miles RT @ 7¢ = $5.60, round to $6. Meet at Porters Creek Trailhead, ready to hike at 8:45 am. Leader will meet at trailhead.

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• Flats Mountain Trail near Indian Boundary, Cherokee National Forest-Tellico District

  • When
    07/26/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Camp Store in Indian Boundary Campground (Loop B)

  Register

  For this hike we will use a short car shuttle to Flats Mountain (trail #102). We will drop some cars at Beehouse Gap, the northern end of Flats Mountain Trail (near Indian Boundary Campground), then car shuttle to Eagle Gap on the Cherohala Skyway and begin our hike at the southern end of Flats Mountain Trail. This 6.1-mile trail follows the ridge of Flats Mountain, overlooking Indian Boundary Lake and the Citico Creek Wilderness dotted with Flaming Azaleas and Rhododendron . The trail begins with a short climb to two unnamed balds, then it descends 1900 ft., to Beehouse Gap, where our shuttle cars will be parked.

  Hike is 6.1 miles, rated Moderate. Trail might be overgrown in some areas, so pants or knee-high gaiters are recommended. There will be plenty of daylight left after this hike to take the short drive on River Road to see the new bridge at Bald River Falls as you make your way home!

  Meet at Kroger in Alcoa, 244 S. Hall Road at the SE end of the building, near the KARM store, and park around the side of the building, ready to leave at 7:00 am. Carpool is 130 miles RT (7¢ = $9.10, OK to round up or down). Or meet at the Camp Store in Indian Boundary Campground (Loop B), for final head count and car shuttle drop, ready to roll at 8:30am.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    08/02/2025
  • Location
    AT

  Register

  Each season, several hundred pounds of hardwood mulch are used at each of our backcountry privies to aid in proper composting. This work trip will focus on packing mulch to one or more of our backcountry privy locations that is less than 3 miles from the trailhead. Mulch is put in 20 lb. bags for carrying. The club has extra backpacking-style backpacks if needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• 2025 Election Picnic

  • When
    08/09/2025
  •  
    9:30 AM
  • Location
    Victor Ashe Park Pavilion, Knoxville

  Join us for the Club’s Annual Election Picnic!
  Saturday, August 9, at the Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville

  Please make plans to attend!  Bring your favorite dish to share!
   Before the potluck picnic, enjoy the open park space and greenways!
  Play equipment nearby – bring the family!
  Meet the current and new Board members, and sign up to lead hikes in 2026!

  9:30am: Hike the Greenway Trails 11:30am: Potluck Lunch Please bring a dish to share! The social committee will provide drinks, paper plates, and utensils. 12:30pm: Business Program Election of 2026 Officers 2026 Hike Leader Sign-Up  12:50pm: Special Guest Speaker Lisa Thomison, Executive Director of the Owl Ridge Raptor Center, and the Center Ambassadors!

  Victor Ashe Park Large Pavilion at 4901 Bradshaw Road

  Owl Ridge Raptor Center Owl Ridge Raptor Center is a nonprofit organization that cares for injured and orphaned birds of prey. These include owls, hawks, falcons, vultures, and eagles. We work closely with local veterinarians and the UT veterinary hospital, as well as a network of fellow volunteer rehabbers. The goal with each bird is full recovery and re-release back into their native habitat whenever possible. Our “ambassadors” are non-releasable raptors who help us raise awareness and educate about these fascinating and important creatures. Learn more at owlridge.org Donations will be accepted at the picnic – please give generously! All donations go directly towards the housing, care, and feeding of these wonderful animals!

  No registration is needed – We look forward to seeing everyone!!

  The Social Committee

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    09/06/2025
  • Location
    Cosby Campground

  Register

  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. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    10/04/2025
  • Location
    Newfound Gap

  Register

  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.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    11/01/2025
  • Location
    TBD

  Register

  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.

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