What we’re about
Meet others in Nashville, middle Tennessee, and beyond, interested in backpacking. At regular monthly meetings in the Brentwood REI Community Room, we discuss trails, equipment, tents, hammocks, packs, stoves, cameras and photography, clothing, weather, wildlife, first aid, food, recipes, etc., and find fellow hikers to go backpacking with. Our backpacking trips are multi-day events that require a great deal of work by hike organizers. PLEASE RSVP WITH INTEGRITY; if you can't do that, this might not be the Meetup group for you.
Most of our trips are open to all members on a first-come basis. However, there will be events that are attendance-selective based on difficulty, experience required, past participation in related or similar events, etc. This will be at the discretion of the specific event organizer.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Night Hike — Mossy Ridge Trail at Percy Warner ParkVaughn's Gap, Nashville, TN
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.
Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/mossy-ridge-trail
Please give yourself enough time to find parking and get to the trailhead – we will start promptly to respect everyone's time. Message me if you're running late!
Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
- Friday-Saturday Virgin Falls overnight : September 19-20, 2025Virgin Falls Trailhead & Parking, sparta, TN$3.00
Please read the entire description before you RSVP
Please follow these steps to get on this trip:
1. RSVP to get ON the waitlist.
2. Text me at 931-267-9378. Venmo me $3 to help cover the permit fees. This will move you to the going list.
3. Pack your stuff (very important step)
4. Show up.
5. Hike.
(NOTE: Capacity for this trip is 10 people, MAX. No exceptions.)
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Now for the good stuff!Let’s do a little Friday-Saturday Virgin Falls adventure.
Friday, September 19: Drive to the Virgin Falls trailhead at Scotts Gulf Wilderness State Park. Hike the Virgin Falls trail to Caney Fork campsite. I have reserved site 11 (the group site). As of now, I will be coming in later in the evening, probably hitting the trail around 5:00-6:00 PM. I’ve never hiked this trail in the dark, so that could be an adventure. If that changes, I’ll let you all know. If you plan to show up earlier, and hike on to camp, that’s fine, just let me know.
Miles: ~4 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 395/1300
Gaia Route Virgin Falls Trailhead to Caney Fork campsiteSaturday, August 9: We will wake up and hike to Virgin Falls and Sheep Cave (optional) on the way back to the trailhead. This will be an all uphill hike, with a particularly intense section just after Big Laurel Falls.
Miles: ~5 miles
Elevation G/L: 1488/587 (basically all uphill)
Gaia Route Caney Fork to Virgin Falls to Sheep Cave to TrailheadTotals for the trip: 9 miles, 1,840 feet elevation gain/loss.
Difficulty: This is a moderate to difficult hike. Some of the terrain is pretty tough, and some of the hiking will either be in the dark, or by yourself. This is a hike for experienced hikers only, due to the intensity and timing of the trip.
Weather: We will go rain or shine, unless there are severe storms in the forecast.
Water: There are some water sources along the route, and one near camp. Please have a map and familiarize yourself with where those are and plan accordingly.
Food Storage: There are no bears at Virgin Falls, so you do not need to bring a canister or Ursack.You should, however, bring some way to do a basic rodent hang to get your food off the ground.
Cost: The cost is $3 to cover the cost of the permits. My Venmo is @BackpackerWill. If you're carpooling, please be prepared to help the driver out with gas money.
Carpooling: If you can coordinate it, carpooling is highly recommended. Parking is limited at the trailhead.
If you have any questions about this hike, please let me know. My phone number is 931-267-9378. Please RSVP with integrity....canceling at the last minute keeps someone else from attending.
- Night Hike — Mossy Ridge Trail at Percy Warner ParkVaughn's Gap, Nashville, TN
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.
Alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/tennessee/mossy-ridge-trail
Please give yourself enough time to find parking and get to the trailhead – we will start promptly to respect everyone's time. Message me if you're running late!
Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash.
