What we’re about
Our group organizes and participates in hikes and outdoor activities covering the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and East Tennessee Parks, National Forests, and other venues as suggested by members. This group is based out of the Knoxville, TN area, but have members from all across the U.S.
We plan and organize hikes and adventures (including backpacking, bike rides, canoe and kayak trips, indoor rock climbing, instructive clinics, family-friendly events, and group cookouts) throughout the year. As the weather gets warmer, we do organize some evening moonlight walks, bike rides, or hikes as an alternative to the day hikes.
And if you enjoy backcountry camping, we do that also, but the spaces on those usually fill up fast due to backcountry permit availability. We have two or three 'Hike and Camp' weekend events every year in one of the Park's campgrounds so all members have an opportunity to mix and mingle.
We are an open venue, with suggestions for events from light to strenuous hikes, recommended from any members of the group. Any member is more than welcome to suggest an outing to an Organizer, who will help with the planning if it's approved.
We've found the Smokies to be a wonderful place to exercise, stay in shape, appreciate nature, and meet great new people with similar interests.
We have a lot of fun, so join up!!!
Lane DeCost
GSHAG Organizer
Upcoming events
5
GSHAG's Summer Campout at Smokemont CG --- Hike, Learn, and Feast!
IGNORE the Meetup Location Info - Still Broken, https://maps.app.goo.gl/SGfzvHH9b8wkc1BJ6, Cherokee, NC, USHEADS UP!
It’s time to start thinking about some summer fun!!
Reservation for individual campsites are now open at Recreation.Gov. As soon as families start planning their summer vacations these spots will be Gone! If you want to camp, you’ll need to make your reservations now!
OVERVIEW
We’ll spend the weekend hiking, learning, and feasting at the Smokemont Campground near Cherokee, NC from Friday through Sunday (June 12-14). This is a great opportunity to visit the waterfalls, trails, and streams on the quieter side of the Park. Hikers can also consider a side-trip to the Oconaluftee Mountain Farm Museum at the Oconaluftee Vistor Center or a visit to historic Cherokee, NC.
We’ll offer multiple events over the weekend, with Beginner to Difficult level hikes and a selection of mini clinics on Saturday, and more hikes and clinics possible on Sunday. TBA
DINING
We’ll share a group potluck style cookout on Saturday night, with a menu to be determined closer to the event. We’ll meet at the Smokemont Group Campground - Site G-03 near the far-left corner of the campground. Everyone is encouraged to bring a side, salad, or dessert to be shared among the group. There will be a sign-up sheet posted when we get closer to the event.
HIKING
On Saturday we’ll set up a series of hikes dropping down to Smokemont from the starting trailheads along Newfound Gap Road, possibly using a paid shuttle bus from the campground if we have enough demand. We’ll also offer a family friendly 3.6-mile waterfall hike. More info and sign-ups to come.
CAMPING
Hikers can choose to camp overnight on Friday, Saturday, or both nights. We’ll be camping and dining in the Group area (G-03) on the far end of the campground, next to the D Section of campsites. We will have room for 10-12 tents for those choosing to stay both Friday and Saturday nights and will post a signup list shortly.
For folks with a desire for more privacy, there are also individual campsites for tents, as well as RVs and camper trucks, near the Group site. We have already started grabbing individual campsites between D-33 through D-45.
Campsite reservations for individual sites can be made online at the link below. Most sites can accommodate 2-3 tents in the designated platforms. Consider sharing your site and split the $30 per site/per night cost. A NPS Annual Pass for Seniors provides 50% off camping fees in the Park.
As soon as families start planning their summer vacations these spots will be Gone!
If you want to camp, you’ll need to make your reservations now!
PARKING TAGS
Front-country campers parked at their designated campsite will not be required to have a parking tag for the 2 vehicles permitted. If you are parked elsewhere in the Park or campground, a parking tag is required. You can buy a day pass online, or a daily, weekly or annual pass at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center, which is 3.5 miles east of the campground.
“FEED THE BEAR”
This event will also provide members a chance to “Feed the Bear” which helps us raise funds to pay the annual Meetup fee of $300 for the GSHAG group. We use any excess funds collected to cover the costs of providing the main entrées at our seasonal Campouts/Cookouts.
This allows the Organizers to run the GSHAG group without charging any member or event fees. More info to follow.
If you enjoy our events, please consider "Feeding the Bear".
RSVP
Please RSVP now if you plan to attend so we can get a general idea of how many hikes and leaders we’ll need, and how much food we’ll need to buy for the cookout.
Please choose only one of the following when you RSVP.
1. Planned events only
2. Cookout only
3. Both
NAVIGATION AIDS
Smokemont Campground
Smokemont Group Campsite
Oconaluftee Vistor Center
Smokemont Campground Campsite Map
DISCLAIMER
By signing up for this event you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the Organizers of this Meetup group.
Full Disclaimer
EVENT HOSTS
GSHAG Leadership Team32 attendees
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