Smoky Mountains Hiking Club upcoming events

Off Trail Hike: No-Name Ridge (09/19/2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Starting from familiar grounds at the Alum Cave Trail, we will take a short stroll to just before Arch Rock where we will exit the trail and commence a refreshing rock-hop along Alum Cave Creek for a distance of just under a mile. From there the climb begins as we ascend No-Name Ridge via one of its open landslide scars to reach the airy crest and soak in the immensity of unobstructed views that offer a unique perspective of the southerly slopes of Le Conte, nearby Parton Peaks, and the distant Chimney Tops. After exploring numerous outcrops and myrtle-laden overlooks of the ridge crest we will return by way of another landslide scar to the creek below and retrace our earlier route back to the trailhead.

Rated difficult off-trail. Leaders: Todd Long and Kindel Page.

For sign-up info please email: kindeledhearts1985@gmail.com.

Wednesday Hike: Mt. Cammerer via Low Gap (09/23/2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Hike is 11.2 miles with an elevation gain of 3,149 ft and rated difficult. For those looking for a shorter hike, there are plenty of loops in the trails around Cosby Campground. For those looking for a longer hike we can complete the return to Cosby Picnic area by Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail with a round-trip distance of 16 miles.

Meet the group at Cosby Picnic area ready to hike at 9. No carpool option.

Hiker Leader: Jonny Bruce jonny54172@gmail.com/757-478-5291

Saturday New Member Hike: Ace Gap Trail (09/26/2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

You don’t have to be a new member to enjoy this hike! If you’ve never been to the Ace Gap Trailhead, the first surprise will be the twisty-curvy drive you’ll take up the side of the mountain outside of Townsend to get there.

As we begin our hike on the Ace Gap Trail, the second surprise will be the rolling hills we’ll encounter. Just because we begin and end the trail at about the same elevation doesn’t mean we won’t do some climbing! At the end of the trail is Blair Gap on Hurricane Mountain and the intersection with the Beard Cane Trail (5.6 miles). After lunch there, we’ll return the same way.

Hike: 11.2 miles with elevation gain of 1,925 ft., rated on the moderate side of Difficult.

To carpool, meet at Kroger, 244 S Hall Road, Alcoa (facing Kroger, park on the far left side next to KARM), ready to leave at 7:45am {Drive: 40.8 miles RT @ 7¢/mile=$3.00 rounded} or at the Ace Gap TH at 8:30am.

Hike Leader: Pat Watts, patty.watts@aol.com, 901-487-7941 (text)

Appalachian Trail Maintainers: Call for Extra Crew Volunteers (09/30/2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Registration is open until September 30.

Note: This has no assigned work date. ATMC District Managers or Section Leaders will contact you for orientation and workday invitations.

Help Section Leaders on informal work trips to ensure a safe minimum crew of three. Work typically involves light tasks like cutting brush or clearing water bars. This program is open to all SMHC and ATMC members and to visitors. Based on your survey preferences (hike length, availability, and section), ATMC District Managers or Section Leaders will contact you for orientation and workday invitations.

Contact: ATMC Chairman Philip Royer at (865) 599-8245 or paroyer54@gmail.com.

Capacity: 30 Spaces

Interested in becoming the new SMHC Communications Director? (09/30/2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Club is looking for a new Communications Director. This individual oversees all Club communications, including the newsletter, the website, social media, and any other publicity activities, and is responsible for implementing communications policies approved by the Board of Directors.

Click here for more information.

“Register” to be considered for the role, and we will contact you!

Note: This role requires being a director on the Board of Directors for the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club. Board meetings typically occur monthly on the first Monday and are held in Knoxville, TN. Responsibilities of a director will be sent to any interested party for this position as Communications Director.

Additional information:

Contact Randy Mitchell, 865-406-6469, email: mitchell1982@tds.net

Club 1st Saturday Work Trip (10/03/2026)

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Newfound Gap to Sweat Heifer. 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.

Saturday Hike: Backpack or Day hike GSMNP Jakes Creek to Cucumber Gap to Little River to Goshen Prong to Campsite 23 (10/10/2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This trip changed from the 2026 Handbook's more difficult description. Now it is planned for campers to absorb beautiful creek views, autumn colors and have time in your Enu to read, nap, etc. Maybe play some cards or share adventure experiences around the campfire. Day hikers will enjoy the same trail views and their lunch at the campsite. Distance is difficult, but there is only moderate elevation gain. A day hiker volunteer is needed to lead the return hikers.

Meet at GSMNP Jakes Creek trailhead. Hike for 0.6 mi to Cucumber Gap; the 2.4 mi with 500 ft gain to Little River Trail;1.4 mi with 250 ft gain to Goshen Prong; 3.2 mi with 500 ft gain to Campsite 23 “Camp Creek”. Saturday total 7.6 miles 1,250 ft gain. Campsite elevation is 3200 ft. Permit is limited to 8 campers and available spaces. The leader will coordinate the permit and carpool. Plan to pay the leader exact cash $8 per camper. Carpool riders pay drivers exact change at a rate of $0.07 per mile for gas.

Sunday, leisurely break camp by 10 am and return, hiking gently downhill 3.2 miles on Goshen Prong, to Little River Trail 2.7 mi, to Elkmont Road 0.1 mi to cars at Jakes Creek Trailhead by about 2 pm. Total of 6.0 miles. This is for moderate backpackers with at least 4 nights out in the last year and isn’t for beginners. The day hike is a difficult distance of 13.6 miles. Answer whether you will camp or day hike and if you plan to carpool. Contact the leader for questions or modified plans.

Leader Larry Johnson (865)-776-6434 email: larryj11320@gmail.com

Spaces: 15 total: 8 campers, 7 day hikers (number flexible)

Location: GSMNP Elkmont Jakes Creek Trailhead

Time: 9:00 am Saturday October 10

Join the Backpacking and Base Camp Group (10/31/2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Join a NEW group of SMHC members interested in backpacking and base camping. This is an auxiliary activity like the existing Wednesday Hikers Group. The Group designates 1-2 people to manage a weekly email communications distribution. Group members take turns selecting and leading backpacks and base camps.

For more information, contact Larry Johnson (865-776-6434, larryj11320@gmail.com), or Brian Mason (865-300-2377, BMason997@yahoo.com).

Club 1st Saturday Work Trip: End-of-Year Tool Maintenance (11/07/2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 05:00:00 GMT

November is the time to start winding down the trail maintenance season. This work trip 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.