Smoky Mountains Hiking Club upcoming events

Off Trail Hike: Hunter Creek (04/04/2026)

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

On this beautiful spring off-trail excursion, we will start on the Kephart Prong and Grassy Branch Trails for a few short miles before diving down into Kephart Prong to begin our scramble up the creek. Keep in mind our feet will be in the cold water most of the time, possibly failing to find purchase on the slick rocks more often than not. We’ll wade pretty little pools and scramble up unique cascades for almost a mile before forking off onto Hunter Creek. A stretch of Hunter Creek, tucked away in a mossy forest surely inhabited by fairies, is bafflingly flat… but it has a surprise or two up its sleeve. Suddenly remembering that it’s on a mountainside, the flat stretch of creek gets steep again as we climb out of the fairy forest into an open field on the AT. From here, we will have 6.1 miles on trail back to our cars.

Total distance 10.70 miles, 3 miles off-trail. Rated difficult due to distance. Previous off-trail experience recommended. Pre-registration with one of the leaders is required. Leaders: Kindel Page kindeledhearts1985@gmail.com and Juli Villa tentxrat@gmail.com

Club 1st Saturday Work Trip (04/04/2026)

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:15:00 GMT

The April 4th work trip is designated toward treadway rehab between Fontana Dam and Lewellyn Spring. This is a moderate 4-mile round trip. Planned work includes some sidehill digging where the tread is starting to slip downhill, pruning back encroaching vegetation, removing small blowdowns, cleaning water drainages, and installation of a few log steps. Tools will be provided.

Carpool from the Maryville Walmart on Hwy 411 S at 8:00 am. Alternate meeting point is at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center, upper lot, at 9:15 am. RT travel from Maryville is approximately 90 miles.

Participants will need to wear sturdy footwear and weather appropriate attire. Bring gloves, lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. If you have a favorite tool you prefer to use, please bring those as well.

Contact: Franklin LaFond 678-464-3380 ox97GaMe@aol.com

CANCELLED Saturday Hike: North Cherokee National Forest Coon Den Falls Trail FS Trail #37 (04/04/2026)

Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:30:00 GMT

** THIS HIKE HAS BEEN CANCELLED **

Due to the threat thunderstorms in the area, this hike has been cancelled.

Cherokee National Forest Hiking Guide, 3rd Edition. See the White Rocks Section Coon Den Falls Cherokee National Forest Trail #37. (#42 in the guide table of contents).

The loop hike is short but picturesque and somewhat steep in sections. The first waterfall is about 20 feet high, the second, Coon Falls, is about 60 vertical feet. Ascend to the AT to return for a short walk on Dennis Cove Road to the trailhead.

Total length 4.4 miles. Elevation gain/loss 922 feet. Rated Moderate. After the hike you may explore the Dennis Cove Recreation Area and Campground.

The hike leader, Ted Jackson, contributed to the White Rocks section of the 3rd edition of the Cherokee National Forest Hiking Guide. He is a retired Engineer and Environmental Regulatory Manager, Shady Valley TN. (White Rocks Mountain). He is a current Search and Rescue team member for Virginia and a current National Outings Leader for the Sierra Club.

Those wanting to carpool contact leader Larry Johnson using contact information provided after registration. Riders plan to pay drivers exact cash rounded up to the dollar. Round trip distance will be determined during carpool arrangements. Leaders: Ted Jackson and Larry Johnson Email: larryj11320@gmail.com Mobile: 865-776-6434

Spaces: 25

When: 04/4/2026. 9:30 AM

Location: Coon Falls CNF Trail #37 on Dennis Cove Road 36.259356, -82.115337 1525-1505 Dennis Cove Rd, Hampton, TN 37658

Sunday Wildflower Hike: Porters Creek (04/05/2026)

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT

The Porters Creek Trail is known for its variety of wildflowers in the spring. As we make our way we will look for a plethora of wildflowers along the trail. We will visit the former SMHC cabin and the Messer barn. We will find Fern Falls after 1.8 miles along with wild ginger, and past there, Fraser Sedge and Clinton's Lily. We will have lunch at Campsite 31 and then return the same way. If time permits we will visit the site of a CCC Spike Camp near Campsite 31.

Hike is 7.2 miles, with elevation gain of about 1500 feet. Rated moderate. To carpool, meet at the Strawberry Plains Cracker Barrel (1510 Cracker Barrel Ln); park on the side near Weigel’s ready to leave at 6:30am (drive: 82 miles RT @ 7 cents/mile = $5.75), or meet at the Porters Creek Trailhead in Greenbrier at 8:00am.

Hike leader – Steve Dickinson, 865-253-0555 – Winston.fob@comcast.net Co-leader: Debby Dickinson

Saturday Wildflower Hike: Little River and Cucumber Gap Loop (04/11/2026)

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

A favorite hiking guidebook calls this hike “one of the finest short loops in the park”. April should be a good time for spring wildflowers, so we will proceed at a slightly slower pace to allow for viewing scenery and photography.

We will start on the Little River Trail past the Elkmont Campground, enjoying views of the river cascades as we go. Shortly after passing Huskey Branch Cascades on a wide bridge, we will take a sharp right turn to join the Cucumber Gap Trail. After a short while, we will again cross Huskey Branch, this time with no bridge. Normally the stream can be easily crossed on numerous flat steppingstones. But, if there have been recent heavy rains, we might get our feet wet. We will keep our eyes open for trout-lily, springbeauty, bloodroot, and trillium as the trail rises slightly and then descends to join the Jakes Creek Trail. Here we will turn right to proceed to the Jakes Creek Trailhead and a short walk to our cars.

The hike is 5.5 miles. Rated easy for our wildflower pace. For carpooling meet at Kroger, 244 S. Hall Road, Alcoa, TN Park at the side of the building near the SE corner in time to leave at 8am. Alternatively, you can meet at the trailhead at 9:00am. Drive 66 miles round trip @7 cent per mile= $4.62 (OK to round to $5).

Wednesday Hike: Jakes Creek to Miry Ridge to Campsite 26 (04/15/2026)

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 12:15:00 GMT

Starting at the Jakes Creek trailhead at Elkmont, we’ll follow the route of the railroad built by the Little River Lumber Company during the heydays of logging in that valley. After climbing that trail’s entire length (3.6 miles and 1900 ft climb), we’ll continue our climb up the Miry Ridge trail (1.9 miles and another 700 ft) to reach Campsite 26, where we’ll have a welcome rest for lunch. We’ll return the same way (thankfully all downhill).

Total hike distance is 11 miles, rated Difficult because of the relentless 2600 ft. climb. You can choose to turn around at any point.

Meet at Kroger in Alcoa, 244 S. Hall Rd (park around the side beside KARM) at 7:15am {Drive 68 miles RT @ 7¢/mile = $4.78, round to $5} or the Jakes Creek trailhead at Elkmont at 8:15 am.

After you register, please send the hike leader an email indicating whether you will meet at the Carpool or the trailhead. The leader will meet at the trailhead. Hike Leader: Pat Watts, patty.watts@aol.com, 901-487-7941.

Saturday Hike: Old Prison Mines and Frozen Head Lookout Tower (04/18/2026)

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Prison mines in the spring, they're so delightful...We will avoid the construction in Frozen Head by hiking in on the east side of Frozen Head Mountain beginning at Armes Gap on the East Lookout Tower Trail. After about 3/4 of a mile, we'll take the Old Prison Mine Trail to visit the mines, then back to the Tower Trail up to the Lookout Tower. We'll descend the way we came up. I can't promise great spring flowers but we will hunt for them.

Total distance is 6.1 miles with roughly 1000' of elevation gain. Rated moderate.

Meet at Oak Ridge Books-a-Million, 310 S Illinois Ave (same parking lot as Golds Gym) ready to leave at 8:30. There is room for only a couple of cars to safely park at Armes Gap so I am asking that EVERYONE! carpool. (38 miles RT @ $.07 a mile or $2.70). Leader: Claudia Dean, claudiadean0@gmail.com, 865 206 0145.

Saturday Wildflower Hike: Norris Dam River Bluff Trail (Easy Hike) (04/25/2026)

Sat, 25 Apr 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The River Bluff Trail is a scenic way to see the Clinch River and enjoy a beautiful, forested area. This is a great trail for observing a large variety of wildflowers in a small area, including several rare species. Rich pockets of wildflowers are scattered over the hillside, especially yellow trout lilies, celandine poppies, bloodroot, spring beauties and toothwort.

It is a 3.2-mile loop with an elevation gain of 538 feet, rated easy. The trail is located on the Norris Dam TVA Reservation on the west side of the dam. Norris Dam is about 30 miles north of Knoxville, TN., off I-75, exit 122. We will meet at 9 am at Norris Dam Visitor Center, 1810 Norris Freeway, since there are bathrooms and ample parking. From there, we will carpool across the dam to the trailhead, as trailhead parking is limited.

Leader: Susan Watson 540-735-4822 (text is best), email: swatson5407@gmail.com

Club 1st Saturday Work Trip (05/02/2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

This work trip will focus on treadway rehab in the section between Daven-port Gap and Mt Cammerer. 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.

DATE TBD, MAY 2026: Konnarock Trail Crew (05/02/2026)

Sat, 02 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

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 continuing a trail relocation near Brown Fork Shelter in the National Forest. The worksite is approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. Car camping is available behind a gated Forest Service road. Volunteers who participate for 3 or more days on the project will receive a commemorative ATC Trails Crew T-shirt. The SMHC Newsletter will provide details on what to bring and where we will meet.

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

Sat, 06 Jun 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Join us to celebrate our club’s 29th annual NTD event! Each year, nearly 100 volunteers 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 for this event is required at least 2 weeks in advance. A link to the registration form will be added to our website and published in our April and May newsletters.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: MAY 22, 2026

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. The picnic will be at Metcalf Bottoms at 5 p.m.

WORK AREAS: A.T. between Icewater Spring Shelter and Double Springs Shelter.

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.

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

QUESTIONS? Email Taylor Weatherbee tweatherbe@aol.com

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.