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The Trip

Great Smoky National Park contains the last large piece of the southern Appalachian forest and some of the richest biological diversity in the United States. It has more than 100 species of native trees, over 1,500 flowering plants, and 200 species of birds. From the spruce fir forests on the highest peaks to the hardwood forests in sheltered valleys, we will experience the beauty of hiking in deep woods and the magnificent views from exposed ridge tops during fall color.

We'll stay in the Park at the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont, a residential environmental learning center. Here we will eat, sleep, and join Tremont's evening educational and entertaining campfire programs.

Tremont's naturalist staff will offer multiple hiking options of varying difficulty and terrain choices for our group each day. The number of options will depend on our final group size. Most transportation to and from our trailheads is provided in large passenger vans. Additional participant carpooling will be needed for some hikes.

Itinerary

Each day begins with a hearty breakfast and packing a trail lunch. We travel to our trail location for the day's hike and return mid- to late-afternoon to relax and/or socialize. We meet briefly after dinner to discuss and choose the following day's hikes. We then have the opportunity to participate in the evening's program, such as Appalachian storytelling, live traditional mountain music, and discussion of environmental issues.

Getting There

Knoxville's McGee-Tyson Airport is the closest to our location. Tremont is located approximately an hour's drive southeast from the airport. Tremont offers a shuttle service from and to the airport for a nominal fee. More detailed information will be provided to all trip members.

Accommodations and Food

Our trip begins and ends at Tremont. We will sleep in Caylor Lodge, a heated/air-conditioned building with men's and women's dormitories that have modern bathrooms and showers. Single and couple's rooms are not available, though there is an option for tent camping.

Tremont's cooking staff provides a variety of breakfast choices, and a hearty evening meal. There is an array of food choices from which to pack our lunches each day. Vegetarian options are always available. Tea, coffee and snacks are available most hours. Any participant with more specific food requirements should notify the leader when applying for the trip.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is suitable for active and agile hikers in good health who can comfortably maintain a level pace of 2+ mph and walk without difficulty up or downhill. Most of the hikes offered are in the range of five to 10 miles and up to 2,000 feet in ascent and descent. Any hike, no matter how easy overall, may contain sections of strenuous and challenging terrain with steep elevation gains and losses, or rock hopping across stream crossings. Trails are often rocky, and slippery when wet. We will not rush, however, and we will stop to rest and learn about our surroundings as we hike. Hiking in the months before the trip at the difficulty level we will experience is essential for your enjoyment of the trip.

The Great Smoky Mountain Institute requires a brief medical and Liability Wavier form that will be provided to all participants.

Equipment and Clothing

You will need to bring hiking clothes, daypack, rain gear, and boots. Casual clothes are appropriate for meals at the Tremont facility. Bedding and towels are provided. A more detailed list will be provided to all trip members.

References

Hiking Books:

These guides provide good descriptions of most of the trails we use.

• Adams, Kevin, Hiking Great Smoky Mountain National Park. A Falcon Guide, 2003.
• Hiking Trails Of The Smokies. Great Smoky Mountain Association, 2003.

History/Culture Books:

• Frome, Michael, Strangers In High Places.
• Brown, Margaret Lynn, The Wild East.
• Kephard, Horace, Our Southern Highlanders.

Maps:

• Both Earthwalk Press and National Geographic have excellent trail maps covering the entire Park.

These and other publications are available through the Great Smoky Mountain Association, www.SmokiesStore.org and at gift stores in the Park's visitor centers.

Conservation

Great Smoky Mountains 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 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 discuss.

Trip Price

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.

Staff

Leader:

Donell Kerns, an avid hiker, 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 the woods, she meditates and practices yoga -- all of which she likes to share with others. This will be the fourth time that she and Paul have led this trip.

E-mail: donellkerns@gmail.com

Assistant Leader:

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 publications. Pauls favorite eastern hiking destination is the Smoky Mountains and he loves to share his favorite hikes with enthusiastic trip members.

E-mail: paulmckown@gmail.com

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General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners