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
30
Night Hike — Mossy Ridge Trail at Percy Warner Park
Vaughn's Gap, 7199 TN-100, Nashville, TN, USLooking 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.
1 attendeeNight Hike — Mossy Ridge Trail at Percy Warner Park
Vaughn's Gap, 7199 TN-100, Nashville, TN, USLooking 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.
1 attendee- $12.00
Beginner's Trip-Smokies-Little River Trail from Elkmont to Backcountry site 24
Elkmont Campground, Smoky Mountain National Park, Newfound Gap Road (aka U.S. 441) nine miles south of, Gaitlinburg, TN, US*****PLEASE READ entire description and click on links below for more detailed information*******
Brief Description:
This will be a beginner's backcountry camping trip (all levels are welcome). The hike along the Little River Trail is one of the easiest hikes in the area and there are 2 small water crossings to get to our campsite. The hike is 4.2 miles from the trailhead at Elkmont to Backcountry Site 24 "Rough Creek". location of campsiteDetailed Description:
I have a permit for 8 people at Backcountry Site 24 "Rough Creek"
Backcountry Camping (not car camping or front country camping)
Saturday- November 1st - 11:30 am CST - We will meet at the Little River Trailhead that is accessible from Elkmont. We will hike 4.2 miles to Backcountry site 24 and then we will setup our tents. We can hang out at our campsite or take some additional shorter hikes in the area. I may bring my fly rod (fishing pole). I would suggest bringing water shoes and trekking poles to assist with the water crossings. We will be camping alongside a stream so we will hear the constant flow of water thru the night. This trip would provide a great opportunity for beginner's to test their new camping gear (testing in your backyard first is always preferred). Temperatures could get down into the high 30s at night, so we would need to be prepared for cold and damp conditions. We are are only 4.2 miles from our vehicles at Elkmont, in case someone needed to abort and retreat back to civilization (very unlikely). I've hiked and camped in this area many times and it is definitely a special place.Sunday- November 2nd- We will hike 4.2 miles from our campsite back to the trailhead. If anyone wants to take a tour of the Elkmont "ghost town", cemetery, etc., there is a lot of history in the area.
If interested in joining our group, please text me at 615-410-1304.
Things to keep in mind:
- You will need a parking permit for your vehicle to prevent getting fined.
- If you are looking for an extremely vigorous hike with beautiful mountain views from high elevation, this is not the trip. We will spend most of our hiking time along the beautiful Little River.
Feel free to go on a self-guided tour of the historic "Ghost Town" of Elkmont. Ghost Town Info
Link to trail description and trail reviews on AllTrails:
Trail from Elkmont Campground to Backcountry Campsite #30 Three Forks
Video of stream crossings at 17:10 and 18:35- There can be a significant water crossing if we decide to kill some time and hike to campsite #30 from campsite #24, for additional mileage.
- No Dogs are allowed on the trails in this area
- If you decide to bring your own car and park at the trailhead, it will be necessary to buy a parking permit.
- Cables are provided to hang your food at the backcountry site.
- As always, you hike and camp at your own risk when using this Meetup site.
- I prefer Venmo to cover the reservation fees.
- Refunds are not allowed unless you can find someone to fill your spot.
- I need to collect the campsite reservation money up front. My Venmo is brandon737
If you have any questions please let me know. I am looking forward to another trip to the Smoky Mountains!!!
Some additional information below:
Directions to the Trailhead- Start at the Sugarlands Visitor Center near Gatlinburg.
- Drive 4.9 miles west along Little River Road.
- Turn left at the sign for the Elkmont Campground.
- Drive 1.4 miles into the campground area.
- Turn left again and drive another 0.6 miles to reach the parking area for the Little River Trail.
November 1st temperature expectations
- Average high: 57–64°F.
- Average low: 36–41°F.
- Weather conditions: Autumn in the Smokies is typically mild, dry, and less humid. However, it is a transitional month, and temperatures can change rapidly. Freezing temperatures are possible, especially at higher elevations.
5 attendees
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