Smoky Mountains Hiking Club upcoming events

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.

Interested in becoming the new SMHC Communications Director? (08/31/2026)

Mon, 31 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Club is looking for a new Communications Director. This individual oversees all Club communications, including the newsletter, the website, social media, and any other publicity activities, and is responsible for implementing communications policies approved by the Board of Directors.

Click here for more information.

“Register” to be considered for the role, and we will contact you!

Note: This role requires being a director on the Board of Directors for the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club. Board meetings typically occur monthly on the first Monday and are held in Knoxville, TN. Responsibilities of a director will be sent to any interested party for this position as Communications Director.

Additional information:

Contact Randy Mitchell, 865-406-6469, email: mitchell1982@tds.net

Wednesday Hike: Mt Sterling Fire tower via Baxter Creek Trail (09/09/2026)

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The hike is 12.1 miles with an elevation gain of 4,127 ft and is rated difficult. Meet at the trailhead in the Big Creek picnic area, ready to hike by 9. Hike leader Jonny Bruce jonny54172@gmail.com/757-478-5291

FYI, if anyone wants an easier hike, there is Big Creek trail--just be advised the bridge was washed out by Helene. The shorter option is a 5-mile out-and-back. The Big Creek Trail is closed after the 2.5-mile mark.

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

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Mt Cammerer Fire Tower and Camel Gap. We will brush from Low Gap to Sunup Knob with an option to also brush the Mt. Cammerer side trail.

Access to the work area will be via the 2.5 mile Low Gap Trail, starting at the Cosby Campground.

Carpool from 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane at exit 398 of I-40. Leaving at 7:00 a.m., or meet at Cosby Campground hiker parking at 8:00 a.m.

Leader: Dick Ketelle (865)483-9345 ;email -rhketelle@comcast.net

Saturday Hike: Bote Mountain to Schoolhouse Gap Loop (09/12/2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT

We start this loop on Laurel Creek Road and hike up the Bote Mountain trail to the intersection with the Finley Cane trail. Then we hike down Finley Cane, take the Crib Gap trail under the road to join the Turkey Pen trail, follow that to the Schoolhouse Gap trail and back to Laurel Creek Road. The hike is 8.8 miles with a total climb of 1520 ft., rated moderate.

For carpooling, meet at Kroger at 244 S Hall Rd, Alcoa, TN at 7:15am (48 miles round trip @ $0.07=$3.36 payable to the driver. Or meet at the Schoolhouse Gap trailhead on Laurel Creek Road at 8:00 am.

Leader: Neil Snepp 281-797-3808, email: nsnepp@comcast.net

Off Trail Hike: No-Name Ridge (09/19/2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Starting from familiar grounds at the Alum Cave Trail, we will take a short stroll to just before Arch Rock where we will exit the trail and commence a refreshing rock-hop along Alum Cave Creek for a distance of just under a mile. From there the climb begins as we ascend No-Name Ridge via one of its open landslide scars to reach the airy crest and soak in the immensity of unobstructed views that offer a unique perspective of the southerly slopes of Le Conte, nearby Parton Peaks, and the distant Chimney Tops. After exploring numerous outcrops and myrtle-laden overlooks of the ridge crest we will return by way of another landslide scar to the creek below and retrace our earlier route back to the trailhead.

Rated difficult off-trail. Leaders: Todd Long and Kindel Page.

For sign-up info please email: kindeledhearts1985@gmail.com.

Saturday Hike: Abrams Falls (the back way)/Rabbit Creek Loop (09/19/2026)

Sat, 19 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

This challenging loop hike will have us visiting beautiful Abrams Falls as the first part of our journey. We will go to the falls via the “back way” from the Abrams Creek Ranger Station (down the Cooper Road and Little Bottoms Trails, and ultimately to the falls). After a rest and snack/lunch, we will backtrack to where we must cross Abrams Creek to reach the Hannah Mountain Trail – this requires wading, which can be extremely hazardous in high water. We will soon reach the Rabbit Creek Trail, which rises slightly before descending to where we will ultimately cross Abrams Creek again before arriving back at the Ranger Station.

Hike is 12.2 miles. Rated difficult. Note that if the creek waters are too high to cross safely, we will find alternate routes.

Meet at Kroger on South Hall Road in Alcoa ready to leave at 7:30 a.m. Drive 30 miles round trip, suggested reimbursement to driver of $2. Or meet at the trailhead near Abrams Creek Ranger Station at 8:30 a.m.

Leader: Randy Mitchell (865-406-6469)

Wednesday Hike: Mt. Cammerer via Low Gap (09/23/2026)

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Hike is 11.2 miles with an elevation gain of 3,149 ft and rated difficult. For those looking for a shorter hike, there are plenty of loops in the trails around Cosby Campground. For those looking for a longer hike we can complete the return to Cosby Picnic area by Lower Mt. Cammerer Trail with a round-trip distance of 16 miles.

Meet the group at Cosby Picnic area ready to hike at 9. No carpool option.

Hiker Leader: Jonny Bruce jonny54172@gmail.com/757-478-5291

Saturday New Member Hike: Ace Gap Trail (09/26/2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 12:30:00 GMT

You don’t have to be a new member to enjoy this hike! If you’ve never been to the Ace Gap Trailhead, the first surprise will be the twisty-curvy drive you’ll take up the side of the mountain outside of Townsend to get there.

As we begin our hike on the Ace Gap Trail, the second surprise will be the rolling hills we’ll encounter. Just because we begin and end the trail at about the same elevation doesn’t mean we won’t do some climbing! At the end of the trail is Blair Gap on Hurricane Mountain and the intersection with the Beard Cane Trail (5.6 miles). After lunch there, we’ll return the same way.

Hike: 11.2 miles with elevation gain of 1,925 ft., rated on the moderate side of Difficult.

To carpool, meet at Kroger, 244 S Hall Road, Alcoa (facing Kroger, park on the far left side next to KARM), ready to leave at 7:45am {Drive: 40.8 miles RT @ 7¢/mile=$3.00 rounded} or at the Ace Gap TH at 8:30am.

Hike Leader: Pat Watts, patty.watts@aol.com, 901-487-7941 (text)

Appalachian Trail Maintainers: Call for Extra Crew Volunteers (09/30/2026)

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Registration is open until September 30.

Note: This has no assigned work date. ATMC District Managers or Section Leaders will contact you for orientation and workday invitations.

Help Section Leaders on informal work trips to ensure a safe minimum crew of three. Work typically involves light tasks like cutting brush or clearing water bars. This program is open to all SMHC and ATMC members and to visitors. Based on your survey preferences (hike length, availability, and section), ATMC District Managers or Section Leaders will contact you for orientation and workday invitations.

Contact: ATMC Chairman Philip Royer at (865) 599-8245 or paroyer54@gmail.com.

Capacity: 30 Spaces

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.

Join the Backpacking and Base Camp Group (10/31/2026)

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Join a NEW group of SMHC members interested in backpacking and base camping. This is an auxiliary activity like the existing Wednesday Hikers Group. The Group designates 1-2 people to manage a weekly email communications distribution. Group members take turns selecting and leading backpacks and base camps.

For more information, contact Larry Johnson (865-776-6434, larryj11320@gmail.com), or Brian Mason (865-300-2377, BMason997@yahoo.com).

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.