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Appalachian Spring: Hiking Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee Highlights:
Includes:
Trip Number: 09051A Price: $595 Deposit: $100 Capacity: 30 Leaders:
The Trip The dates of this trip have changed from what was previously published. If you have questions, please contact us.Great Smokey Mountain National Park contains the last large section of the original southern Appalachian forest and some of the richest biological diversity in the United States. It has more than 100 species of native trees, over 1500 flowering plants and 200 species of birds. From the spruce fir forests on the highest peaks to the cove hardwood forests in sheltered valleys, we'll experience the absolute beauty and peace of hiking in deep woods and the magnificent views from exposed ridge tops. We'll stay at the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont (GSMIT), a residential environmental learning center affiliated with the University of Tennessee, and located in the heart of the Park. Here, we will eat, sleep and join GSMIT's educational and entertaining campfire programs. Each day GSMIT staff will offer multiple hike options, Depending on the number of hikers, options will include varying difficulty levels and terrain choices. This will allow a choice of difficulty levels and the nature of the hike. On our National Park service day, we will work as a team to accomplish a project that the Park staff have designated. Transportation to and from our activities each day is provided.
Getting There Knoxville's McGee-Tyson Airport is the closest to the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont. It is located approximately an hour's drive southeast of Knoxville. GSMIT also offers a shuttle service from and to the airport for a nominal fee. More detailed information will be provided to all trip members.
Our trip begins and ends at GSMIT. We will sleep in Caylor Lodge, a heated/air-conditioned building with men's and women's dormitories, and modern bathrooms and showers. The Institute's staff will provide a variety of breakfast choices, an array of food from which to pack our lunches and a hot evening meal with vegetarian options. Tea, coffee and snacks are also available. Any participant with specific food requirements should notify the leaders when applying.
This trip is designed for active and agile hikers who can comfortably maintain a level pace of 2 + mph, and can walk without difficulty up or down hill. Most of the hikes offered are in the range of five to 10 miles and up to 1,500 ft. ascent and descent. Any hike, no matter how easy overall, may contain sections of strenuous and challenging terrain with steep elevation gains/losses, and stream crossings. Trails are often rocky, and slippery when wet. We will not rush, however, and there will be time to stop and smell the flowers. Hiking in the months before the trip at the difficulty level we will experience is essential for your enjoyment of the trip.
Hiking: These guides provide good descriptions of most of the trails we use. Hiking Great Smoky National Park, Kevin Adams, A Falcon Guide, 2003 Hiking Trails Of The Smokys, Great Smoky Mountains Association, 2003 Maps: Both Earthwalk Press and National Geographic have excellent trail maps covering the entire park History/Culture: Strangers In High Places, Michael Frome The Wild East, Margaret Lynn Brown Our Southern Highlanders, Horace Kephard. These and other publications are available through the Great Smoky Mountains Association, www.SmokiesStore.org and at gift stores in the Visitor Centers. Conservation Great Smoky Mountains National Park National Park was established in 1934 after the public and Congress recognized the devastating impact of commercial logging in this area, one of the last large old growth forests in Appalachia. On this trip we will learn about the environmental issues facing the park today and what we can do to help. Air pollution from outside the Park, acid rain, and ground level ozone are continuing challenges. Non-native insects such as the hemlock wooly adelgid threaten to destroy old growth hemlocks. The southern pine beetle, wild hogs, and poaching of black bears are additional challenges we will learn about.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Paul McKown has led domestic and international Sierra Club Outings since 1991. Paul is an avid photographer and many of his on-trip photographs appear in Sierra and other national publications. He loves to share his favorite hiking destinations with enthusiastic hikers.
Donell Kerns, an avid traveler, has led Sierra Club trips since 1999. Her
love of adventure in new cultures has led her from Morocco to Venezuela and
from Prague to County Donegal. In addition to hiking and roaming in the
woods, she meditates and practices yoga -- all of which she likes to share
with others.