As a young man working for the Knoxville YMCA, Marshall Wilson was the first to suggest an organized effort that would later emerge as the SMHC. Wilson was a charter member of the Club and President in 1937. As a youngster, Wilson often climbed to the summit of Mount Le Conte from the south side following a faint manway up the steeply sloped defile of Bearpen Hollow then along the spine of a narrow ridge extending to the summit of West Point. Early hikers in Bearpen Hollow proceeded from the ridge directly to Cliff Top via the Tag Tree Trail, but we have never been able to find that trail. On the way up, a visit will be made to the remains of the wreckage from the 2016 plane crash on the west side of Bearpen Hollow. Upon reaching LeConte Lodge, a short trip will be made to Cliff Top. Return will be on the Alum Cave Trail. Rated Difficult. Previous off-trail experience required. Register with leaders for details on meetup time and place.

Leaders: Ken Wise and Cindy McJunkin

To register, contact the leaders directly. You can find contact information in the December 2024 newsletter writeup for this hike.