Smoky Mountains Hiking Club upcoming events

Wednesday Hike: Ramsey Cascades (08/12/2026)

Wed, 12 Aug 2026 12:45:00 GMT

Let’s visit one of the highest water features in the park accessible by trail. Along the way, we’ll pass between the 2 “sentinel” tulip trees and then round the bend to the really giant tulip tree (we’ll see how many of us it takes to reach around it). We’ll admire the extensive rehabilitation that has been completed on the trail, resulting in one somewhat easier to traverse than in the past, though nothing can be done about the steepness of the last half of the hike. The cascades are an awesome sight to behold, making the climb worthwhile.

Round trip on the trail is 8 miles with an elevation gain of 2,185 ft, rated Moderate.

To carpool, meet at the Cracker Barrel at Strawberry Plains (1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, Exit 398 off of I-40; park on the right side of the lot), ready to leave at 7:15am. {Drive: 78 miles RT @ 7¢/mile=$5.50 }.

Or meet at the Ramsey Cascades trailhead in Greenbrier at 8:45am. The hike leader will meet you at the Ramsey Cascades TH in Greenbrier.

Hike leader: Pat Watts, patty.watts@aol.com, 901-487-7941.

Saturday Hike: Trillium Gap Trail to Brushy Mountain (08/15/2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 11:30:00 GMT

This classic summer hike starts at Grotto Falls parking, off Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. We start up the 0.2-mile spur to Trillium Gap Trail, go southeast up the side of Mt. Le Conte to Grotto Falls (mile 1.1), cross Roaring Fork by walking carefully behind the falls, and continue uphill to Trillium Gap (mile 2.8). From there, we go 0.4 mile up Brushy Mountain Trail to an opening in the heath bald (~4,900 ft. elevation) with spectacular views east, south, and west in clear weather. Return the same way.

Total, 6.8 miles with ~1,600 ft. elevation gain. Rated Moderate.

To carpool, meet at Kroger, 244 S. Hall Rd., Alcoa (park at the side of the building near its SE corner), in time to leave at 5:45 am. Drive 86 miles RT at 7¢/mile, $6.00 to the driver.

Or, meet at the trailhead at the east end of Grotto Falls parking ready to hike at 7:30 am. Leader will meet at trailhead.

Leader: Eric Sundstrom, sundstrom.eric@gmail.com or text 865-406-8794.

Saturday Hike: UT Arboretum (08/15/2026)

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

We'll meet in the parking lot of The University of Tennessee Arboretum for an hour-long easy hike. We will see some things that are at their peak in the summer and fall, such as the bog garden, the rain garden, and the Elmore holly collection. There will be a little bit about local history prior to the Manhattan Project taking over this bootlegging farming "hollow," as well.

Meet at the UT Arboretum parking lot, 901 S. Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge, at 9:00 a.m.

Leaders: Janet and Tim Bigelow - janet_bigelow@tds.net – 865-300-5580

Wednesday Hike: AT Newfound Gap to Mount Collins Shelter (08/19/2026)

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:30:00 GMT

We will take a break from the heat by starting this hike at Newfound Gap. After crossing Hwy 441, we’ll start up the AT for 4.2 miles to reach the intersection with the Sugarland Mountain Trail. From there, it’s a short 0.4 miles to the Mount Collins Shelter for lunch; return same way.

Total roundtrip hike distance is 9.2 miles with 2143 ft. elevation gain; rated Moderate.

To carpool, meet at Kroger Alcoa, 244 S. Hall Rd (park around the side beside KARM) ready to leave at 7:00am {drive 100 miles RT @ 7¢/mile = $7.00}.

Or meet at Newfound Gap at 8:30am. The hike leader will meet you at Newfound Gap. Hike leader:

Michael Zielinski 865-363-6527 or kf4yws@charter.net

Saturday Hike: Benton MacKaye Trail 2 & Unicoi Mountain Trail (#117) (08/22/2026)

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 12:30:00 GMT

Cherokee National Forest – Coker Creek Distance: 7.7 miles Rating: Strenuous (due to steep elevation gain)

We will begin at the Coker Creek Visitor Center, then position some vehicles at the Unicoi Mountain Trail #117 trailhead, located at the end of an unmarked road just off TN Hwy 68 and 0.2 miles past the Coker Creek Visitor Center on Joe Brown Hwy. Then we will shuttle hikers up a very rough service road, off Joe Brown Highway to Unicoi Gap/Benton MacKaye Trail 2 trailhead where the hike begins with a walk out a fire road climbing Peels High Top as we traverse the TN/NC boundary. At mile 4, we will turn down Trail #117 and descend 1300’ via Unicoi Mountain Trail to Doc Rogers Fields, a historic area from the gold rush days on Coker Creek. There is one small unbridged water crossing before we reach Doc Rogers Fields near the end of the hike. Unicoi Trail predates written history, so there are no switchbacks and the hills (up and down) are steep. Some portions of the trail might be a bit overgrown, so tall gaiters or pants are recommended.

Carpool Information: Meet at Alcoa Kroger (244 S Hall Rd.) ready to roll at 6:30am. Coming from Knoxville, Kroger will be on the right just past Burger King. When facing Kroger, park on the far left side beyond KARM. The hike leader will be at Kroger ready to depart at 6:30am. Driving distance 102 miles R/T. $7.00.

Or meet at the Coker Creek Visitor Center on Hwy 68 ready to hike at 8:30am.

Hike Leader: Dean Ellis Phone: 865-659-1233 Email: adean.ellis@gmail.com

Saturday New Member Hike: Road Prong and Appalachian Trail (08/29/2026)

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

This shuttle hike will begin with a meet-up at Newfound Gap in GSMNP. We will shuttle down to the Chimney Tops trailhead in as few cars as possible to begin the hike.

After 0.9 mile on the Chimney Tops Trail, we will head up the mountain for 2.4 miles on the Road Prong Trail. The Road Prong Trail is wet, rocky, steep, and beautiful. We will enjoy the cascades and cool water on a hot August day. At the junction with the Appalachian Trail, we will hike 1.7 miles back to our cars at Newfound Gap. Drivers with cars at Chimney Tops trailhead will be dropped off by drivers heading back down the TN side.

You WILL get your feet wet! Water shoes are suggested for creek walking or crossings (possibly 12!).

Total mileage is 5 miles (mostly uphill). Rated moderate.

Meet at Newfound Gap (back of the parking lot) and be ready to go at 9:00 am.

Leader: Lynn Kszos, lynnkszos@gmail.com, 865-405-0755.

Club 1st Saturday Work Trip (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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 loca-tions 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.

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.

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.