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• Kanati Fork to Mingus Mill

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

  Register

  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

  Register

  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
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Davenport Gap, TN

  Register

  The May 3rd work trip will have 2 objectives. The highest priority for the day is repairing the roof at Davenport Gap Shelter where a tree fell on it over the winter. 20% of the roof needs replaced, along with some of the supporting rafters. We need a large number of individuals to help get materials 1 mile to the Davenport Shelter and get the damaged roof materials back to the trailhead for disposal. While the team of carpenters are replacing the roof panels, the team will divide up and work on treadway rehab between Davenport Gap Shelter and the Mt Cammerer Trail. Planned work includes cleaning and rehabbing water drainages, pruning back encroaching vegetation, and removing berm on downhill side of trail to improve drainage and backfill existing steps. Participants will need to wear sturdy footwear and weather appropriate attire. Bring gloves, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Tools will be provided. If you have a favorite tool you prefer to use, please bring those as well.

  Parking at the trailhead is extremely limited. Carpool from the Cracker Barrel on Strawberry Plains, I-40 exit 398, at 8:00am. The alternative meeting point is at Davenport Gap trailhead at 9:00am.

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• Konnarock Trail Crew

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

  Register

  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

  Register

  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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