In 1924 (the year SMHC was organized) the president of Champion Fiber Company, Ruben Robertson, had a lodge built for his personal use near the crest on the Smokies in North Carolina. At that time the only road over the mountains in this area was the old Will Thomas Road, and the lodge was built on an improved section of this road near Indian Gap. In 2011 SMHC members looking for the old road found the remains of this lodge. Last year, members of the club also located the site of the Little Indian Gap AT shelter. We will begin our hike at Newfound Gap, then follow parts of the AT, the old Thomas Ridge trail, and the old Will Thomas Road for a loop hike visiting the lodge site and the site of the old AT shelter.

Hike: around 5 miles rated moderately difficult due to thick vegetation on sections of the old roads.

Drive 100 miles RT.

Pre-registration with the leader required.

Leader: Ed Fleming, edwrdflm@aol.com.