Smoky Mountains Hiking Club upcoming events

Annual National Trails Day Event (06/06/2026)

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Spend a day giving back on the trails while enjoying the beauty of the Smokies and the camaraderie of fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Our annual National Trails Day (NTD) event is one of the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club’s longest-running volunteer traditions and a great way to connect with others who care about protecting and maintaining our park’s trails.

Please join us to celebrate our club’s 29th annual National Trails Day event! Each year, nearly 100 volunteers come together to help rehabilitate a heavily used section of trail. Volunteers are divided into crews and assigned a section to work on throughout the day. We’ll all come back together at the end of the workday for a picnic and door prizes.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 22, 2026

EVENT AT A GLANCE:

Date: National Trails Day – June 6, 2026
Meet-Up Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Sugarlands Visitor Center, GSMNP
Volunteer Teams: Crews of 6–8 people
Experience Needed: None — experienced crew leaders will guide all work
End-of-Day Picnic: 5:00 p.m. at Metcalf Bottoms

MEET-UP LOCATION & TIME: 7:00 a.m. at Sugarlands Visitor Center, Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1420 Fighting Creek Gap Rd, Gatlinburg, TN 37738). After check-in, volunteers will receive crew assignments and carpool to their trailheads. The end-of-day picnic will take place at Metcalf Bottoms at 5:00 p.m.

WORK AREAS: Appalachian Trail between Icewater Spring Shelter and Double Springs Shelter.

WHAT TO WEAR: Layered clothing and boots or sturdy hiking shoes (no open-toe footwear).

WHAT TO BRING: Plenty of water, rain gear, lunch, snacks, work gloves, sunscreen, and bug repellent.

REGISTRATION FEE: Registration is free. If you would like a commemorative event T-shirt, the cost is $20. The shirt features a new design each year, and we encourage everyone to wear it to help spread the word about National Trails Day.

PLEASE NOTE: Your registration serves as your commitment to attend, as t-shirts and the afternoon picnic will be ordered and volunteer crews organized based on registration numbers.

AGE REQUIREMENT: All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older.

WHAT TO EXPECT: NTD is a rewarding, hands-on volunteer experience and a great way to spend a day in the park with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Volunteers work alongside experienced trail maintainers, avid hikers, and others who share a love for the Smokies and the Appalachian Trail. Each crew is led by an experienced leader who will explain the day’s tasks and demonstrate proper techniques.

Work assignments vary in difficulty and may include trimming back overhanging limbs and brush, clearing waterbars to improve drainage, repairing or installing steps, and assisting with other routine trail maintenance. There are roles suited for different comfort levels and abilities, and no prior trail work experience is required — just a willingness to help and enjoy the day outdoors.

While the work is meaningful, the day is also about camaraderie, learning new skills, and spending time with people who care deeply about protecting and maintaining our park’s trails. By the end of the day, you’ll have helped improve one of the most heavily used sections of trail in the park and likely made a few new trail friends along the way!

All tools and instruction will be provided, and crew leaders will guide volunteers throughout the day to ensure work is done safely and effectively.

READY TO HELP PROTECT THE TRAILS WE ALL LOVE? Register today to join us for National Trails Day!

DONATIONS: Can't volunteer, but want to donate toward the cause? Monetary donations may be made at smhclub.org/donate. Please list NTD in the comments section.

QUESTIONS? Email Taylor Weatherbee tweatherbe@aol.com

Wednesday Hike: Old Settlers Trail from Greenbriar to Campsite 33 (06/10/2026)

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:45:00 GMT

Traveling the Old Settlers Trail, a hiker can see more traces of 19th and early 20th century mountain community life than any place else in the Park. We'll only hike a portion of this trail, starting at the Old Settlers Trailhead in Greenbriar. We'll make our way to Campsite 33 (6.6 miles), navigating stream crossings, climbing a few good hills, and searching for chimneys along the way. After lunch at the campsite, we'll return the same way. Hike is ~13 miles; rated Difficult for distance and a few good climbs.

To carpool, meet at Cracker Barrel Strawberry Plains at 7:30 - 1510 Cracker Barrel Lane, Exit 398 off of I-40. From Knoxville, turn right off of I-40, go to the first traffic light and turn right. Park on the right side of the lot. 75 miles r/t. $5.25. OK to round down.

Or meet at the trailhead at 8:45. Leader will meet at the trailhead.

Hike Leader: Michael Zielinski 865-363-6527 or kf4yws@charter.net.

Off Trail Hike: Sweat Heifer Cascades (06/13/2026)

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Come out and beat the summer heat with a splendid hike up a beautiful and secluded Smoky Mountain creek. Our route will begin with an easy stroll out the AT and part-way down Sweat Heifer Trail. At the popular cascade, we'll leave the trail and begin our ascent back up the mountain. We'll rock-hop past beautiful waterfalls and walk through majestic high-elevation forest. Our off-trail adventure will end in the vicinity of Icewater Spring. We'll return to Newfound Gap along the AT.

Hike rated difficult. Approximately one mile off-trail and six miles on-trail.

Preregistration with leaders required. Rick Parks (rickafur@gmail.com) or David Sands (dsands314@yahoo.com)

Sunday Hike: Easy Hike on Middle Prong (06/14/2026)

Sun, 14 Jun 2026 12:50:00 GMT

Enjoy a hike along the rushing water as we hike Middle Prong trail to the junction of Panther Creek and back. The trail begins on a bridge just below where several creeks join and then follows Lynn Camp prong for 2.3 miles to the junction with Panther Creek. We’ll return to the trailhead for a total of 4.6 miles.

Parking at the trailhead is limited so for carpooling, meet at the Townsend Wye parking area (located at the junction of Laurel Creek and Little River roads) at 8:30 a.m. Meet at the trail head at 8:50.

Leader Lynn Kszos 865-405-0755, email: lynnkszos@gmail.com

Saturday Hike: Gregory Bald via Gregory Ridge Trail (06/20/2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 11:30:00 GMT

Join us for a classic summer adventure to Gregory Bald, renowned for its stunning flame azaleas in full bloom (which we hope to see). We’ll embark on the Gregory Ridge Trail, steadily ascending through lush forest until we reach the junction with the Gregory Bald Trail. A final, push leads us to the open summit, where breathtaking views of Cades Cove and Fontana Lake can be seen if the day is clear.

The hike spans 11.3 miles with an elevation gain of 3,000 feet, and is rated Difficult.

Parking at the trailhead is limited, carpooling is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. To carpool: Meet at Kroger in Alcoa at 6:00 am (park beside KARM; $0.07/mile × 72 miles round-trip = $5 (rounded). Alternatively, meet at the Gregory Ridge Trailhead at 7:30 am.

Contact info: Larry Johnson, larryj11320@gmail.com; Hike leaders: Larry Johnson and Johnny Lee

Saturday Hike: Spence Field and Russell Field Loop (06/27/2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 12:30:00 GMT

We will hike this classic Smokies 13.2 -mile loop hike in a clockwise direction beginning at the Anthony Creek Trailhead in Cades Cove Picnic Area. We will follow the Anthony Creek and Bote Mountain trails to the AT at Spence Field, gaining approximately 3,000 feet in elevation. If time allows, we will stop at Spence Field and enjoy wonderful views toward distant Fontana Lake. We will follow the AT south to the Russell Field Shelter for lunch and then hike back down the Russell Field Trail to complete our hike. The hike is rated difficult.

For carpooling, meet at Kroger at 244 S. Hall Rd, Alcoa, TN ready to leave at 7:45AM (60 miles roundtrip @$0.07=$4.20 payable to the driver), or at the Anthony Creek Trailhead at the back of the Cades Cove Picnic Area at 8:30AM.

Leaders: Hiram Rogers, 865-789-5008, hiramroges@yahoo.com and Steven Miller 865-318-9882, samiller71@rocketmail.com.

Appalachian Trail Maintainers: Call for Extra Crew Volunteers (06/30/2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Registration is open until June 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 (07/11/2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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.

Club 1st Saturday Work Trip (08/01/2026)

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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 less than 3 miles from the trailhead. Mulch is carried in 20-lb bags, and the club has extra backpacks if needed. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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 loca-tions 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.

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.

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.