Join us for a hike on the first section of trail developed in the park for public use! We will hike on the A.T. starting at Newfound Gap Parking Area and we will hike north to the Sweat Heifer Trail. This oddly named trail is where farmers once drove their cattle to the higher elevations for cooler temperatures in summertime, and cows would sweat as they climbed this trail. Thankfully, we hike downhill on this trail to Kephart Prong Trail. As we turn onto Kephart Prong, we will be passing the remnants of an old CCC camp for the workers who helped build the trails of our wonderful park!

This hike is rated as moderate for length, at approximately 7.2 miles with 800 feet of elevation gain.

Special Note: This is a shuttle hike; volunteers are needed—please let the leader know if you are available to park your vehicle at Kephart Prong Trail and return hikers to Newfound Gap at the end of the hike.

To carpool, meet at Cracker Barrel Strawberry Plains, 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, southeast corner of the parking lot, at 7:15 (100 miles x $0.07 per mile = $7.00) or at Newfound Gap parking lot ready to depart hiking at 9:00 AM.

Shuttle drivers meet at the Kephart Prong Trail parking area at 8:30 AM. Contact: Brian via email at BMason997@yahoo.com.