Great Smokies Hiking & Adventure Group

Training Hikes: 20 Mile-Gregory Loops - Moderate/Strenuous

Sat, Aug 1 · 9:00 AM EDT

Twenty Mile Ranger Station, Twenty Mile Ranger Station Road, Robbinsville, NC, US

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*** PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POSTING BEFORE SIGNING UP ***

TRAINING HIKES
We get requests for medium and high intensity hikes from those trying to build up their endurance and stamina, and increase their ability to do more difficult hikes. These are a step up from the easier hikes we have posted for beginner and intermediate hikers, and are a good option to stretch yourself a bit based upon your current abilities and goals. Details for each Option are below.

QUALIFICATIONS
If you are comfortable hiking a 2.0 mph pace for 5-8 miles, with a 300-500+ feet-per-mile slope, and a cumulative 1400' of climb, the Option 1 hike may be the right challenge for you.

Option 2 hikers should be comfortable hiking a 2.0-2.5 mph pace for 10-12 miles, with a 500 fpm slope, and 3800' of cumulative climb.

THE EVENTS
We offer 2 Options, of varying length and difficulty, so hikers can tailor their hike to their current abilities and comfort levels. This time of year we should be under the tree canopy for the majority of the hike.

Option 1 is a 8 mile loop hike on a decent footbed with a 400-500 fpm slope, with a cumulative 1500 foot climb over 5 miles. It has a solid Moderate rating.

Option 2 takes it up a notch with a 15 mile loop with a decent footbed for most of the hike. An 8.5 mile climb with a 500 fpm slope, and 3800 feet of cumulative elevation gain/loss earns it a Strenuous rating.

RSVP INFO
Please select only ONE of the Options below so we can arrange for the proper number of co-leaders. Please let us know in the RSVP if you are willing to help co-lead your Option to help make these events happen.

MEETING LOCATION
All hikers will meet at the 20 Mile TH parking area at 9:00 ready to hike

DETAILS
Option 1 - 20 Mile short loop with +/- 1400' Cumulative gain/loss (Blue Dots) - Moderate

Hikers will head north on Wolf Ridge for a half-mile before turning northeast for 2.6 miles to the 20 Mile Loop junction, climbing 1000' along the way. We'll turn back to the west for 2.9 miles, with a couple of rollers along the way, before dropping 800' to the junction with Wolf Ridge. Then we'll drop another 500' over 1.5 miles south to the TH. We should be off trail by 1:00, or so.

* We will need volunteer co-leaders in order for this Option to take place. *

Option 2 - 20 Mile-Gregory Bald Loop - 15 miles +/- 3800' Cumulative gain/loss - Strenuous (Pink Arrows)

Hikers will follow the Option 1 route 3 miles to the 20 Mile loop junction (climbing 1000') and then turn north on the Long Hungry trail for 5+ miles, adding another 2200' to the Gregory Bald junction. We'll then hike 2 miles up and over Gregory Bald to the junction with Wolf Ridge trail, adding another 500' of gain/loss along the way. We'll likely take lunch on the bald, and then begin our 5.5 mile, 3000' drop to the cars.
We should be off trail around 5:00 or so.

WHAT TO BRING
We recommend hiking poles for the steep ascents/descents. We also recommend 2 liters of water, lunch and plenty of snacks.

We always suggest carrying the 14 Essentials when going onto the woods. You can download a pdf file here that discusses these essentials.

Because it’s the Smokies, we always need to be mindful of the weather as the seasons change and bring an extra layer of insulation, and a windproof/waterproof outer layer to be safe.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Summer in the Smokies always presents a weather forecast with the possibility of rain or thunderstorms in the afternoons. We'll judge the likelihood of an actual storm showing up while we're at elevation, and reserve the right to cancel Option 2 if we think the likelihood and timing of a possible storm represents a significant risk.

We'll provide a forecast update on the Thursday before the hike.

LATECOMERS AND NO-SHOWS
It's important for everyone to be early, or at least on time. We would hate to leave a hiker behind because they are running late. (It happens)

If your plans change and you can't come on the hike, please remember to change your RSVP at least an hour before the event begins, so you don't wind up on my "No-Fly" list.

*** Failure to do so qualifies as a "No-Show" with me and you may not be allowed to join future hikes or backpacking trips. ***

NAVIGATION AIDS
20 Mile Loop Hikes
20 Mile Short Loop Profile
20 Mile-Gregory Bald Loop Profile
20 Mile Loop GPS file (.gpx) [Download Only]

Trail Slope Key

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 LEADERS
Lane DeCost - 900 Miler x5, AT " 2000 Miler", SAR Team Volunteer
Christine Tirocchi

GSHAG's Fall Campout at Cades Cove CG --- Hike, Learn, and Feast!

Fri, Oct 9 · 1:00 PM EDT

Cades Cove, Cades Cove Loop Rd, Townsend, TN, US

HEADS UP!
It’s time to start thinking about some Fall colors!

Reservation for individual campsites are now open at Recreation.Gov, but are already limited. If you want to camp on site, you’ll need to make your reservations now!

If the site you want is not available, sign up to be notified if there are cancellations as we get closer to the dates.

We'll also post information shortly about the Group campsite we have reserved, with room for up to 30 people in 10-15 tents spaces. These sites will be about half the cost of individual sites.

OVERVIEW
We’ll spend the weekend hiking, learning, and feasting at the Cades Cove campground from Friday through Sunday (October 9-11. This is a great opportunity to visit the waterfalls, trails, streams and historical sites on the more popular side of the Park.

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 Cades Cove group campground (G003). 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 and Sunday we’ll set up a series of hikes in the surrounding area, from beginners to advanced. 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-003) on the far end of the campground. We will have room for 10-15 tents for those choosing to stay both Friday and Saturday nights and will post a signup event 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.

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.

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 Cades Cove Information Kiosk, which is at the entrance to the Cades Cove Loop Rd, and just past the turnoff to 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
Cades Cove Campground
Cades Cove Group Campsite
Cades Cove Information Kiosk
Cades Cove 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 Team

Cades Cove October Campout -- Group Site Reservation Info

Fri, Oct 9 · 1:00 PM EDT

CADES COVE, 10042 Campground Drive, Townsend, TN, US

Heads Up!

This is for those individuals staying at the group site during the Cades Cove Campout, Oct 9-11 At this time spaces are available for hikers spending both Friday and Saturday nights. The cost is $15 per tent/per night.

We have Group Site 3 reserved, that is G-003. There are tent pads for 5 large or 10 small tents, with more space on gravel, We can have up to 30 campers on the site, and we can park up to 4 vehicles at the site. There is additional overflowing parking if it is needed.

Cades Cove Group Campsite G-03 Information

To best maximize the space, campers can share the platform with others depending on the tent size. For example, 3 one-man tents can fit on a platform, or 2 one-man tents and a two-man tent could fit on a platform.

RSVPs
Step 1 - Join the Wait List for a Group tent spot.
Step 2 - Answer the 2 questions required at sign-up.
Step 3 - Wait for a Meetup Message that a spot is available for you.
Step 4 - Use Venmo to pay $15 per tent/per night.

There are two questions to answer when signing up.
1. How many people are in your party?
2. How big is your tent (1p, 2p, etc.).

Once I have the camper's party and tent information, I will send a message with the Venmo link. The cost is $15 per tent/per night.

** RSVPs are first-come-first served* based on the order of sign-up with *complete* information, and payment made in a timely fashion. **

Campsites without payment after a week will be released back into the pool.

NOTE
Please keep in mind you will be sleeping very close to other individuals. We recommend bringing ear plugs if you're a light sleeper. It will help drown out the nighttime noise.