What we’re about
Welcome to the largest and most active hiking club in Upstate South Carolina. The Greenville Natural History Association (GNHA) has more than 800 members who day hike and backpack across the Blue Ridge Mountains of Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina.
It's easy to join GNHA, but it does take three steps to complete registration because our Meetup group has a $5 annual membership fee that isn’t paid on Meetup. (Don’t worry. We’ll walk you through it.)
For the safety of our hike leaders and members, we have created a set of requirements that new members must complete to begin hiking with us. Be sure to follow these steps:
- Request to join the club on Meetup with a profile that includes your first and last name as well as a face-forward, individual profile image. This ensures everyone on a group hike knows who they’re attending an event with–including you.
- If you do not want to include your last name in your profile because of privacy concerns, we will allow you to create a profile with the first letter of your last name. However, it’s possible that an existing member may already have a profile with your first name and last name initial. If that’s the case, you will be asked to include an extra letter or your full last name so that we can identify you from other hikers.
- Once you join our club on Meetup, we will contact you to complete the payment process. You'll have the option to choose a one- or two-year membership starting at $5 per year. Keep in mind that it may take up to a week to process your membership.
Once you’ve followed these steps, you can begin hiking. Be sure to review our hike rating system to identify the best hike for your fitness level. For our most strenuous hikes, you will need to contact the hike leader before joining the hike.
We also encourage you to review our safety guidelines. No pets or children under 14 are allowed on club hikes.
We are our club policies and disclaimers concerning pictures, videos, and personal contact:
- Photo Release: By attending GNHA activities, you consent to being photographed or video recorded. Images may be used in social media, websites, our meetup platform, newsletters, or other club-related publications. If you do NOT wish to appear in photos or videos, please notify anyone in your group taking pictures.
- Personal Contact: GNHA is an organization dedicated to facilitating hiking-related education and group activities. Any personal contact or interaction between members outside of official club events is an individual choice, and thereby neither connected to nor endorsed by the club or its organizers.
Upcoming events
34
The Despeauxrados (VS) Pisgah NF-Avery Creek,Twin Falls, Black Mtn. 10.5 2375
Publix Super Market At University Square, 5000 Old Bumcombe Rd, Greenville, SC, USThis week's hike summary:
Mileage: 10.5 miles, Elev. Gain: 2375 feet, Pace: 2.5 mph
Carpool Mileage RT from Publix to Trailhead: 104 mi. = $8.00
Trailhead: on Avery Creek Rd. https://maps.app.goo.gl/cEib9SFH6bssq1Xg9
Challenges: several rock hop creek crossings!
Hike Leader: Charles D.This week's hike details:
We will head up Avery Creek to Twin Falls. After viewing the falls, we ascend to Buckhorn Gap where join the Black Mtn Trail. We cross Clawhammer Mtn. and Black Mtn. before descending down the Pressley Cove trail back to our vehicles. This hike offers valleys with mountain streams and waterfalls, as well high ridgelines with several mountain views.Carpooling group meets at University Square at 7:45am for a prompt 8:00am departure.
University Square Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/at82aDCL3BwVkZQ59Trailhead - meet at 9:15 AM, ready to hike by 9:30 AM
Trailhead location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cEib9SFH6bssq1Xg9
This pin is on Avery Creek Rd. (gravel), across from the Pressley Cove Trailhead.This group meets Wed at University Square Shopping Center. The specific hikes are described 1 to 4 weeks in advance and target hikes which are 10 miles long and climb 2000 ft. We hike at approx. 2.5 MPH, faster or slower depending on terrain.
Hike coordinators are:
Mark Parsons 864-430-0875 ( voice or text)
John Pirraglia 713-826-2434 ( voice or text)
Charles Dial 704-654-7041 ( voice or text)
Carpooling will be available, yet all hikers should come prepared to drive to or meet at the trailhead.Check out our website for hike leader info, club news, stewardship and more information about GNHA.
https://www.greenvillehiking.com/
Follow us on:
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/289785994852020/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/greenvillehiking
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gnhahiking/16 attendees
Fall Campout at Smokemont
Smokemont Campground, Smokemont Campground Rd D, Cherokee , NC, USJoin the GNHA Hiking Club for a fun weekend of camping and hiking in Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Simply join the waitlist and you'll be sent a link to pay a $10 fee to help cover fire wood, parking and other costs. Once you've paid, you'll move to the "Going" list.
We've reserved three group campsites at Smokemont Campground on the North Carolina side of the park
(https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/smokemont-campground.htm) that can accommodate 60 members. We will plan to have 3-4 different hikes on Saturday at different paces and difficulty. We will likely have a shorter group hike on Sunday. Those camping with the group will be given priority to join the weekend hikes.We will also plan to gather as a group around the campfire to share stories and socialize.
Parking area is adjacent to site and can accommodate 15 total cars so we'll need to carpool to the location. Bathrooms are located at the group site.
Smokemont Campground is approximately 2.5 hours from Greenville. We will work to arrange carpools prior to the event.
Hikers are responsible for bringing their own camping gear (tent, sleeping bags, etc.), water, food and day hiking items.
Weekend Meal Planning
Friday evening: We are planning a happy hour and potluck that will begin at 5 p.m. Bring your favorite heavy "hor'dourves" (salad, pasta, charcuterie, etc.) to share and if your item is vegan or gluten free, be sure to label it for others. Please note there is no power source or grill on site, so be sure to plan your meal around that. You are also welcome to bring beverages to share.Saturday evening: Campers will be responsible for planning their meal since there are no grills on site. Feel free to bring your own meal, or a group may decide to drive into Cherokee, N.C. for dinner. The drive to Cherokee is about 20 minutes each way. We will still gather around the campfire, like Friday evening, and socialize. S'mores will almost certainly make an appearance.
Check-In Details
Check-in: Friday at 1 p.m.
Check-out: Sunday at NoonCampsite Details:
Smokemont Group Camp, Loop D, Sites G01, G02, and G03Restroom facilities
For use only by these 3 sites (so, GNHA-only).Amenities:
Each of the 3 sites has: 5 13’x13 tent pads, 2 picnic tables, and 1 fire ring. Restrictions: No RVs at group site, certified heat-treated wood only, etc.Weekend Hikes:
(M/MS) Mingus Creek Trail & Mill
(S) Chimney Tops & Cove Hardwoods Nature Trail
(VS) Charlies Bunion & The Lookout
(VVS) Mt. LeConte via Alum Cave25 attendees
Past events
3638
Group links
Organizers
Members
951
