Nashville Backpacker Meetup

Looking to get in better shape for backpacking? Missing the Backpacker Meetup group but don't have time for a trip? Then join us for a 5.8 mile loop through Percy Warner Park!

We'll meet at the Vaughn's Gap parking lot and take the Candy Cane Connector to the main Mossy Ridge (red) trail. We'll spend the next 2+ hours on this moderate trail with frequent elevation gain. This hike can be challenging depending on your fitness level/if you haven't been hiking recently. The pace is set by the group and no one is left behind.

Headlamps/lights are required for this hike. Water, snacks, and appropriate layers for the weather are recommended. I will keep an eye on the weather and may cancel for rain, thunderstorms, or windy conditions.

Let's explore the Scottish wilderness with a thru hike of the West Highland Way. The West Highland Way stretches 96 miles from Milngavie to Fort William, taking in a huge variety of scenery along the way, from countryside parks to loch-shores and open moorlands to steep mountains.
Normally the route is completed from south to north, the thinking behind this being the southern stages are easier and will prepare you for the more demanding northern stages.
The goal is to complete the trail in 6 days, averaging 16 miles per day. We'll take a train from Glasgow to Milngavie on August 28 and start the trail. We will complete the trail on day 6, September 2, at Fort William, and take a train back to Glasgow. If time and preferences allow, we can do an optional summit of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the U.k.

Please read the entire description! RSVP with integrity!

If this trip caught your attention, here are the steps you need to take AFTER you read the entire description:

1. RSVP to get ON the waitlist.
2.Text me at 615-293-4464. Venmo me $40 to cover the cost of the shuttle. This will move you from the waitlist to the going list.
3.Pack your stuff. (Very important step)
4.Show up.
5.Hike.

(NOTE: Capacity for this trip is 12 people, MAX. No exceptions)

For starters, there is a fee of $40 per person for the shuttle.

Do you love backpacking downhill, along a river, crossing the river often, and going for a swim at camp?

We will be hiking mostly downhill as we follow Jack’s River, crossing the river approximately 42 times over 16 miles. This is a 3 day trip, our first day is about a 3.5 hour drive in the morning followed by about an hour and a half shuttle provided by a third party company, followed by as many miles as the group wants.

The Second day we will hike to Jack’s River Falls where we will stop to play in the river and have lunch before hiking on downstream.

Our third day will be a pleasant 3-5 mile hike back to our cars, followed by lunch in Chattanooga.

Dress in clothes that dry relatively quickly, as well as WEAR SHOES THAT ARE RIVER CROSSING WORTHY! We will be crossing the river so often that we will not want to stop to allow you to take off your leather boots for every crossing, nor do you want leather boots or heavy boots to be saturated with water… it is not very comfortable. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO USE TREKKING POLES for the river crossing and pack your sleeping bag/clothes in a form of dry sack.

You will need to supply your own breakfast (2 days), lunch (2 days), dinner (2 days), and snacks, water is plentiful along the trail. Participants are also encouraged to bring extra socks and shoes to be worn in camp.

I will be hiking the Four Pass Loop in Colorado from September 1-4, 2025. The Four Pass Loop is located in the Maroon Bells/Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, Co. It is approximately 28 miles long, with around 9,000 feet of total elevation gain, and the entire trail is above 10,000 feet altitude. The trail crosses four mountain passes (hence the name): Buckskin Pass, Trail Rider Pass, Frigid Air Pass, and West Maroon Pass. Each pass is over 12,400 feet altitude.

I have obtained permits that will allow me to potentially take 3 other people with me. Because of the complicated logistics, as well as the difficult nature of the trail, I must have hiked with you before to even consider including you.

I know it is very last-minute, but if you are interested in joining me, please reach out to me at 931-267-9378, and I will go over the details, costs, etc. and we'll determine if this is a good fit for everyone involved.