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• Wednesday Hike: Sand Cave and White Rocks

  • When
    03/26/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Civic Park Picnic Shelter at the end of Sand Cave Road in Ewing, Virginia
  • Spaces left
    6

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  The trail starts at Civic Park in Ewing, VA, crosses into Cumberland Gap National Historic Park, and begins as three miles of double track that climbs about 2,000 feet through a series of switchbacks. There are several great vistas along the way, and you'll have several views of White Rocks up above the trail. At approximately 4 miles, you'll come to a junction with a trail to the Hensley Settlement to the left and the trail to White Rocks/Sand Cave to the right. Take this right, then bear left down the trail to Sand Cave.

  After exploring the cave, hike back up to the trail and bear left at the junction. At about 5.5 miles, you'll pass a horse barricade with a sign pointing to the Ewing Trail. Continue past this to visit White Rocks. Scramble up to the top of White Rocks and enjoy the view of the valley below.

  Hike back to the junction to a fun descent back to the Ewing Trail. Be careful on this connector trail as many of the rock steps are a little loose. At the Ewing Trail, take a left and enjoy the pleasant descent back to the trailhead. Rated moderate to difficult due to 2,500 ft of elevation gain. The round trip is 9 miles if doing Sand Cave and White Rocks. Meet at Hardee’s 107 Buffalo Road, Clinton, ready to leave at 7:30. Carpool 135 miles round trip. At 7 cents per miles= $9.50. Or meet at Civic Park Picnic Shelter at the end of Sand Cave Road in Ewing, Virginia at 9:00.

  
  

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• Rich Mountain Loop/Crooked Arm Ridge/Indian Grave Gap

  • When
    03/29/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Entry gate at Cades Cove Loop Road, GSMNP

  Register

  This popular loop hike is a classic and one of the club’s favorite loop hikes. We will begin at the entrance of the Cades Cove Loop Road. We’ll approach the loop in a counter-clockwise direction, starting with a short section on the Rich Mountain Loop Trail before bearing right onto the Crooked Arm Ridge Trail. We will have an uphill climb of about 1500 ft. (over 2 miles), and we’ll see Crooked Arm Falls along the way as well as outstanding views of Cades Cove. Then we will pick up the Indian Grave Gap Trail where we will be hiking a ridgeline offering views of Dry Valley and Townsend to the north. Next we’ll start down the Rich Mountain Loop Trail, with a stop at the John Oliver Cabin before finishing the hike back at our cars. This hike is 8.6 miles with a total elevation gain of 2000 ft., rated Moderate.

  For carpooling, meet at Kroger, 244 S Hall Road, Alcoa (park at the side of the building, near the SE corner), in time to leave at 8 am. Drive 56 miles RT @ 7 cents = $3.92 (round up to $4). Alternatively, meet near the entry gate at Cades Cove Loop Road, ready to hike at 9 am.

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• Middle Prong Trail

  • When
    03/29/2025
  •  
    1:00 PM
  • Location
    Middle Prong Trailhead, GSMNP

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  Join us on this leisurely stroll on the Middle Prong trail that used to be the railroad bed of the Tremont Lumber Company before the Park opened. We will view Lynn Camp Prong on our left and Lynn Camp Cascades at 0.7 miles. We will see remnants of a former orchard along the way and the rusted remains of the famous old tree-crushed Cadillac at 1.7 miles, a suitable place for an interesting photo op! We just may see some early spring wildflowers along the way. The total hike will be about 3.7 miles. Meet at the parking area at the very end of Tremont Rd. at 1:00pm.

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• Off Trail Hike: Sams Creek

  • When
    04/05/2025

  This one is an old favorite of the club and can be done in different ways that are all nice--except for the multiple creek crossings that require hiking with wet feet. Much of the route follows the old Little River Lumber Company railroad grade and/or fisherman’s paths along Sams Creek and, after a steep climb ends up on the AT at Starkey Gap. From there one can do an all-trail return or follow the AT 0.7 miles to Sugartree Gap to descend back down to Sams Creek for an off-trail return. Regardless, in good weather this is an enchanting hike and will be largely carpeted with wildflowers in April. It is a moderately difficult off-trail hike, but count on getting wet feet in the several crossings of Sams Creek--we won't have time to stop and change shoes on each one. Distance approx. 9 miles mostly off-trail.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    04/05/2025
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Fontana, NC

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  The April 5th work trip is designated toward treadway rehab between Fontana Dam and Lewelyn Spring. This is a moderate 4-mile round trip. Planned work includes repair of a root-ball holes, some sidehill digging where tread is starting to slip downhill, pruning back encroaching vegetation, cleaning water drainages, and installation of a few log steps. Tools will be provided. Carpool from the Maryville Walmart on Hwy 411 S at 8:00 am. Alternate meeting point is at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center at 9:15 am. RT travel from Maryville is approximately 90 miles. Participants will need to wear sturdy footwear and weather appropriate attire. Bring gloves, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. If you have a favorite tool you prefer to use, please bring those as well.

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• Little River and Cucumber Gap Loop

  • When
    04/12/2025
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Little River trailhead GSMNP

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  A favorite hiking guidebook calls this hike “one of the finest short loops in the park.” April should be a good time for spring wildflowers, so we will proceed at a slightly slower pace to allow for viewing scenery and photography.

  We will start at the Little River trailhead past the Elkmont Campground, enjoying views of the river cascades as we go. Shortly after passing Huskey Branch Cascades on a wide bridge, we will take a sharp right turn to join the Cucumber Gap Trail. After a short while, we will again cross Huskey Branch, this time with no bridge. Normally the stream can be easily crossed on numerous flat stepping stones. But, in the event of recent heavy rains, we might get our feet wet.

  We will keep our eyes open for trout lily, spring beauty, bloodroot, and trillium as the trail rises slightly and then descends to join the Jakes Creek Trail. Here we will turn right to proceed to the Jakes Creek trailhead and a short walk to our cars.

  The hike is 5.5 miles. Rated easy for wildflower pace. For carpooling, meet at Kroger, 244 S Hall Road, Alcoa (park at the side of the billing, near the SE corner), in time to leave at 9 am. Drive 72 miles RT @ 7 cents = $5,00). Alternatively, meet at Little River Trailhead in Elkmont, ready to hike at 10 am.

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• Wednesday Hike: Bradley Fork to Cabin Flats

  • When
    04/16/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Bradley Fork trailhead GSMNP

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  It’s wildflower season! And the Bradley Fork Trail is known for the variety that can be found there. We’ll go to the Smokemont area of the Park and explore this trail that follows a fork of the Oconaluftee River, enjoying several small cascades along the way. Connecting with the Cabin Flats Trail, we’ll make our way to Campsite 49 to enjoy our lunch by a rushing stream before returning the way we came.

  The hike is 9.8 miles RT with about 1,050’ elevation gain, rated Moderate. To carpool from the Sugarlands Visitor Center, meet there ready to leave promptly at 7:30am (park away from the restrooms, leaving the spaces for the tourists) {Drive: 54 miles RT @ 7¢/mile=$4.00 rounded}. Or, meet at the Bradley Fork Trailhead (at the far end of the Smokemont Campgrounds) at 8:30am. The Hike Leader will meet you at the trailhead.

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• Panther Branch and North Old Mac - Frozen Head State Park

  • When
    04/19/2025
  •  
    9:15 AM
  • Location
    Old Mac Trailhead Parking, Frozen Head State Park
  • Spaces left
    24

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  This hike includes 2 waterfalls, energizing climbs and wildflowers. We will park at the Old Mac Trailhead Parking and walk about a mile up Flat Fork Road to Panther Branch Trail. After passing DeBord Falls and then hiking up the rocky trail to Emory Falls, we will return to Panther Branch. We will then continue to the North Old Mac trail while enjoying an amazing variety of wildflowers, however Panther Branch has rough sections and aerobic climbs. We will follow the North Old Mac trail (mostly downhill) to the parking area.

  Hike is 7.5 miles, rated moderate, but includes steep grades and rough, rocky trail. Total elevation gain is 1800 feet. Meet at Books- A-Million in Oak Ridge, 310 South Illinois Avenue, ready to leave at 8:30 AM. Drive distance is 48 miles x .07= $3.36 to driver but, round up to $3.50. Or meet at the trail head at 9:15 a.m.

  
  

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• Kanati Fork to Mingus Mill

  • When
    04/26/2025
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Mingus Mill parking lot GSMNP

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  The hike begins at the Kanati Fork trailhead with a climb of about 2100 feet over 2.75 miles to the Thomas Divide trail. Kanati Fork is a constant climb with an average grade of 770 feet per mile. This time of year, one can anticipate seeing a variety of spring wildflowers growing along the trail to help take the mind off the climb. We then hike the Thomas Divide trail to the Newton Bald trail.

  We will stop at backcountry campsite 52 for lunch, then continue on the Newton Bald trail for a short distance to the Mingus Creek trail. This will lead us down the ridge line and along Mingus Creek to the Mingus Mill Parking area.

  The total distance is 12.5 miles with a total climb of approximately 4000 feet. The hike is rated difficult due to distance and climb.

  Meet to carpool from the Cracker Barrel at 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, Knoxville (exit 398 I-40) Be ready to leave at 6:30 A.M. The drive to the Mingus Mill Parking area via I40, 66 (exit 407), 441 is 126 miles round trip. $0.07/mile = $8.82 rounded up to $9.00 cash for the driver.

  Alternatively, meet at the Mingus Mill parking lot 8:30 A.M. The hike leader will meet everyone at Mingus Mill. We will gather at the Mingus Mill parking lot where we will load everyone into as few cars as possible and drive to the Kanati Fork trail head to begin the hike. After the hike those who shuttled people to the trail head will be taken back to get their cars.

  E-mail the hike leader when you register to indicate if you are planning to carpool from Cracker Barrel. To facilitate the logistical arrangements, registration for this hike will close on Thursday evening April 24.

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• Wednesday Hike: Lower Mount Cammerer

  • When
    04/30/2025
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Cosby Picnic Area Parking GSMNP

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  Starting from the Cosby Picnic area, the Lower Mt. Cammerer trail provides a slow climb on a smooth pine-needle trail in and out of creek valleys to reach the Appalachian Trail after about 7.5 miles. We’ll pass CS 35 along the way (at mile 3.3). After having lunch on the AT, we’ll return the way we came.

  Hike: 15 miles with elevation gain of 1,800 ft., rated Difficult due to distance. Because of the longer hike distance, we will start our hike a little early.

  To carpool, meet at the Cracker Barrel Strawberry Plains (1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, exit 398 of I40), ready to leave at 7:00am or at Cosby Picnic Area Parking at 8:00am. Drive 110 miles RT {@ 7¢/mile = $7.70}. The leader will meet you at the trailhead.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    05/03/2025
  • Location
    Davenport Gap, TN

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  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Davenport Gap and Mt Cammerer. 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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• Konnarock Trail Crew

  • Start
    05/16/2025
  • End
    05/23/2025
  • Location
    Konnarock Trail Crew

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  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, over a week-long period. This year, the crew will be. The work site is approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. Car camping is available on a vehicle-accessible gated Forest Service road. SMHC volunteers who participate for 3 or more days on the project will receive a commemorative ATC Trails Crew T-Shirt.

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• Annual National Trails Day Event

  • When
    06/07/2025
  •  
    7:00 AM
  • Location
    Sugarlands Visitor Center, Large vehicle parking lot

  Register

  Join us to celebrate our club’s 28th annual NTD event! Each year, nearly 100 volunteers come out to help rehab the 12-mile-long, high-use trail sections, between Double Springs and Icewater Springs shelters. Volunteers are divided into teams of 6-8 individuals and assigned to work a section roughly 1-1.5 miles long. A picnic-style meal and door prizes are provided at the end of the workday.

  REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 24, 2025

  WORK DATE MEET-UP TIME: 7 a.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738. From there you will receive crew assignments and drive to your trailheads. Picnic will be at Metcalf Bottoms at 5 p.m.

  WHAT TO WEAR: Layered clothing, boots or sturdy shoes (no open-toe footwear).

  WHAT TO BRING: Plenty of water, RAIN GEAR, lunch, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen and bug repellant.

  REGISTRATION FEE: Registration is free, but if you want a commemorative T-Shirt the cost is $20. The shirt has a new design each year, and we encourage everyone to get the T-Shirt and wear it to help us advertise the event. 

  PLEASE NOTE: Your registration serves as your commitment to attend, since T-Shirts and the afternoon picnic are being ordered, and crews will be built based on our registrations.

  DONATIONS: Monetary donations may be made at smhclub.org/donate. Please list NTD in the comments section.

  QUESTIONS? Email Taylor Weatherbee tweatherbe@aol.com

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    07/12/2025
  • Location
    Fontana, NC

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  This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the Nantahala National Forest between The Nantahala Outdoor Rafting Center 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.

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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    08/02/2025
  • Location
    AT

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  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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• Club 1st Saturday Work trip

  • When
    09/06/2025
  • Location
    Cosby Campground

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  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

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  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

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  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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