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• Off Trail Hike: Fontana Lake and Forney Creek Float and Hike

  • When
    10/07/2023

  We'll have a leisurely paddle (bring your own kayak or canoe, maybe a hammock) across Fontana Lake for about an hour to the mouth of Forney Creek. At that point, we'll have several options: fishing in Forney Creek, relaxing at campsite #74, or a four-mile loop hike on Whiteoak Branch. Participants can do one, two, or all three. Our starting point is the Flat Branch Boat Ramp (3200 Greasy Branch Road). Because the route to this boat ramp is long and winding, let's meet at the McDonalds in Bryson City at 9am. From there, we'll drive to the Flat Branch Boat Ramp. (The boat ramp is not in the park, so no parking pass is required.)

  We'll need decent weather to make this trip, so a list of all participants is needed to allow a last-minute cancellation of the trip by the leaders, if necessary.

  Leaders: Greg Hoover and Kindel Page.

  To register, contact the leader directly via email, text or phone. You can find contact information in the October 2023 newsletter writeup for this hike.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    10/07/2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • Location
    Newfound Gap parking lot, GSMNP

  Register

  This month's work trip we plan to move large rock/boulders off the treadway. We will carry needed tools to 1.3 miles where our first efforts will take place. When we have completed this task, we will retreat back to the parking lot while attempting to clear or at least move many rocks/boulders to the side of the treadway. All participants will be asked to carry two tools, except anyone carrying the large rock bar. Tools are provided, unless you prefer to bring your own pick, shovel, sledgehammer or rock bar.

  Meet at 8:25 at Sugarlands Visitor Center (restroom side) where co-leader John Lee will organize a carpool to drive to Newfound Gap. Or drive directly to NFG arriving at 9am for a tailgate safety meeting. Bring plenty to drink, snacks and/or lunch, sturdy footwear, gloves, and rainwear as October's weather is unpredictable at high elevations. Hope to be back at the parking lot by 2pm.

  Please call leaders Mark and Janet Snyder at 865 448-1183 or co-leader John Lee at 815 549-5096, thus we will know what tools to bring. *UT is not playing this weekend.

  Leader: Mark Snyder
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Fontana Ferry to Hazel Creek and Bone Valley Backpack

  • Start
    10/14/2023
  •  
    9:00 AM
  • End
    10/15/2023
  • Location
    Fontana Village Resort Marina Trailhead Parking, Fontana Dam, NC 28733

  Register

  We will meet at 9:00 am in the backpacker parking area on the Fontana Marina Docks to begin the backpacking trip. After collecting everyone, we will walk down to the docks and take the ferry across Fontana Lake to Hazel Creek. From the Hazel Creek unloading area we will hike up Hazel Creek 5.3 miles to Backcountry Campsite 83. After setting up camp, we will walk up Bone Valley trail for 1.8 miles to the cabin, graveyard, and ruins at the top of the trail and then return to camp for the night. Please note that there are five water crossings on Bone Valley. Early the next morning we hike back down to Fontana and take the ferry back to our cars. If you are interested in this backpacking event you will need to make a ferry reservation and a backcountry reservation before the day we leave. The distance from Knoxville to Fontana is approximately 65 miles. Travel time is about 1 1⁄2 hours.

  Email the hike leader for details on costs, making reservations and the meetup location. Register at smhclub.org.

  Leader: Steve Dunkin

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Wednesday Hike: Cumberland Trail-Devil’s Breakfast Table

  • When
    10/18/2023
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Devil’s Breakfast Table, Otter Creek Rd, Lancing, TN

  Register

  For this beautiful Fall hike on the CT, we will set up a car shuttle, leaving cars at the Devil’s Breakfast Table, then drive to our trailhead on Peavine Rd. We hike approximately 8 miles north, exploring some short spur trails to stunning overlooks of the Daddy’s Creek Gorge. We will also admire the very impressive stonework that went into building this section of trail. We have confirmation that there are no hunts in Catoosa WMA on this date, and that we can access the DBT. Wearing orange is your choice. Rated Moderate. Meet at Lowes in Harriman, 1800 Roane State Hwy at 7:30 am or at the Devil’s Breakfast Table, Otter Creek Rd., Lancing at 8:30 am. Drive 50 miles RT {@$.10/mile = $5.00}.

  Leaders: Diane Petrilla and Dan Feller

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Gibson Gap and Lewis Hollow Trails Cumberland Gap National Historic Park (Sunday)

  • When
    10/22/2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Hardee’s, 107 Buffalo Road, Clinton, TN

  Register

  We will explore an interesting area on a beautiful autumn day. This hike will begin on the Gibson Gap Trail, also known locally as the Boy Scout Trail, in the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. After a long traverse, we will quickly climb to the top of the prominent ridge that formed such a formidable barrier to the early settlers of the region, where we will head west to connect with the Lewis Hollow Trail to return to the trailhead, forming a loop of about 10.5 miles. Rated moderate. Meet at Hardee’s-107 Buffalo Road, Clinton, TN. Exit 122 off I-75. Turn left off the exit ramp then left at the first red light. Leave at 8 a.m. Driving distance to our destination is 57 miles. At $0.10 per mile, suggested reimbursement to driver = $11.40. Driving time 1hr 15 min.

  Leader: Brian Worley

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• Wednesday Hike: Low Gap to Mount Cammerer

  • When
    10/25/2023
  •  
    8:45 AM
  • Location
    Low Gap trailhead, Cosby hiker parking, GSMNP

  Register

  For our annual Mount Cammerer hike, we will start at the Cosby trailhead parking area, taking Low Gap Trail for a steep but beautiful climb up to the AT. Then we will head north on a short stretch of the AT, until we reach the Mount Cammerer spur trail. The Mount Cammerer Fire Tower, restored and picturesque, offers stunning 360 degree views of the surrounding mountains, which will hopefully be showing some Fall color. Elevation gain 2800 ft. 11.4 miles. Rated Difficult. Meet at Cracker Barrel, Strawberry Plains exit, at 7:30 am or at Low Gap TH at 8:45 am. Drive 115 miles RT {@ 0.10/mile = $11.50}.

  Leaders: Diane Petrilla and Dan Feller

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.
  

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• Mount Cammerer via Chestnut Branch

  • When
    10/28/2023
  •  
    8:30 AM
  • Location
    Chestnut Branch trailhead, Big Creek Rd, GSMNP

  Register

  There are outstanding views to be found by hiking to the Mount Cammerer fire tower. We’ll start at the Big Creek Ranger Station and follow the Chestnut Branch Trail to its junction with the AT, then turn left onto the AT and continue climbing to the Mount Cammerer Trail junction. A right turn and a half-mile hike will bring us to the impressive Mount Cammerer Lookout Tower and beautiful 360-degree views of the mountains. We’ll return the way we came. Hike is 12 miles with 3300 feet elevation gain, rated difficult. To carpool, meet at the Cracker Barrel off the Strawberry Plains exit 398 of I40 (1510 Cracker Barrel Lane), ready to leave at 7:30am {drive: 110 miles RT @ 10¢/mile = $11.00}. Or meet at the Chestnut Branch trailhead (at the hiker parking lot) at 8:30am. The leader will meet the group at the trailhead, not the carpool site.

  Leader: Pat Watts

  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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• AT Work Trip

  • When
    11/04/2023
  •  
    8:00 AM
  • Location
    Sugarlands Visitors Center, GSMNP

  November is time to start winding down the trail maintenance season. This work day will be focused on cleaning, repairing, inventorying, and storing the club’s tools for the winter.

  Leader: Steve Dunkin
  Leader contact information is included under Additional Information in the email you receive after registration.

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