About us
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
4
BP 101 - Beginner Backpacking Clinic – Max Patch to Roaring Fork Shelter
Pisgah National Forest, Harmon Den Parking Area, 35°45'47.6"N 82°59'14.4"W, Clyde, NC, US*** PLEASE READ THE WHOLE POST BEFORE SIGNING UP ***
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WAIT LIST
*** Please Join the Wait List for this event. ***
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Folks who got closed out of the last clinic will have first preference for this one, followed by anyone with limited to no prior experience, in the order they are moved from the WL, until we reach capacity. This event is intended for true beginners.Once we clear the former group, we'll start adding everyone else.
Please answer the 4 RSVP questions at signup if you want to be moved off of the Wait List.
If you don't provide your email address for the handouts at signup you will not be moved from the Wait List, and you may lose your place in line.
*** Once you get moved off the Wait List remember to check back here regularly for any updates and changes ***
OVERVIEW
This will be an introduction to overnight backpacking for those day hikers that are ready to take the next step, and is intended for those with little to no backpacking experience.The distance hiked will be less than 2 miles each day on Saturday and Sunday, with the focus of the trip on providing the basic information, skills, and lots of hands-on experience to get you started. Because GSMNP doesn't allow tenting at shelters we will be meeting outside the Park and camping near Max Patch Mountain.
(click on the nearby map link)WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Instruction will include basic information on the following:Safety – 14 Essentials, hazards (weather, lightning, bears, snakes, etc.) campsite selection, water treatment, basic fire building
Gear selection - packs, hammocks, tents and tarps, sleeping bags and pads, stoves, footwear
Packing – proper layering, weight considerations, proper load distribution, seasonal requirements
Cooking – stoves and fuels, meal options
Navigation – Basic map reading, pacing and estimating distances
GEAR REQUIREMENTS
We will provide a suggested packing list for guidance to those who sign up.You DO NOT need a tent to go on this outing. You can use the shelter, which also has water and a privy nearby. We will have a limited amount of backpacking gear to lend (tents, packs, bags, pads).
*** We would recommend participants NOT go out and buy a bunch of gear until AFTER the clinic when you have had the opportunity to see, feel, wear, and try out a wide variety of packs, bag, tents and sleeping pads. ***
DETAILS
We will meet at the Rally Point at 9:00 for some basic information and demonstrations, followed by pack inspections and some gear swaps/distribution. We’ll car pool to the Max Patch parking lot and then hike about 1.8 miles north on the Appalachian Trail to the Roaring Fork shelter (a 3-sided wooden structure with a platform for sleeping) to camp. RFS has capacity for 10 campers, with another 7 individual tent platforms available, as well as room for several hammocks.The total hike is about 2 miles each way with @500 +/- feet of elevation change, much of it at easy grades. Bring your packed backpack (or all of your gear in a shopping bag for a borrowed backpack), hiking poles if you have them, water, lunch, dinner, breakfast and snacks (more on meals with the packing list).
IMPORTANT RSVP INFO
When you RSVP please let us know:- What gear, if any, you will need to borrow. (first come, first served)
- Whether you would prefer to sleep in a tent, hammock, or shelter
- If you are borrowing a sleeping bag/pad, do you sleep "hot" or "cold"?
- Your email address for distribution of the handouts
We'll use your email to distribute all the handouts for the clinic. It is not possible to send them out using Meetups messages.
*** If you don't provide this information when you RSVP you will remain on the Wait List indefinitely, and will lose your spot in line. ***
You may also satisfy this requirement by emailing Lane at lane.decost.gshag@gmail.com.
Attendance is limited by campsite space for this hike. First come-first served.
There are no reservation or campsite fees for this shelter.
DIRECTIONS
To the BP 101 Rally Point << <== Meet here at 9:00 amGoogle Maps is still showing I-40 as being closed from the TN eastbound side at NC Exit 7 where our route goes. This will require TN folks to continue eastbound to NC Exit 15, exit, go under I-40 and turn back onto I-40 westbound, and proceed to Exit 7. Then continue north on Cold Springs Creek Road to the Rally Point.
Do NOT continue north on Fines Creek Rd (1338) at NC Exit 15 despite signs suggesting that route to Max Patch. You'll add 30-45 minutes to your trip and may miss the group completely.
This route is generally safe for most vehicles, even though it is a gravel road, and has a fair number of potholes and washboards.
NAVIGATION AIDS
MAP
ELEVATION PROFILEDISCLAIMER
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 DisclaimerEVENT LEADER(s):
Lane DeCost - AT "2000 Miler" - '23 / "GSMNP
900 Miler" x5 - Search and Rescue Team Volunteer
Patty Hamorsky - 900 Miler
Deanna Davis6 attendees
GSHAG's Fall Campout at Cades Cove CG --- Hike, Learn, and Feast!
Cades Cove, Cades Cove Loop Rd, Townsend, TN, USHEADS 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. BothNAVIGATION AIDS
Cades Cove Campground
Cades Cove Group Campsite
Cades Cove Information Kiosk
Cades Cove Campground Campsite MapDISCLAIMER
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.EVENT HOSTS
GSHAG Leadership Team30 attendees
Cades Cove October Campout -- Group Site Reservation Info
CADES COVE, 10042 Campground Drive, Townsend, TN, USHeads 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.4 attendees
Past events
2235
