What we’re about
This group is for anyone interested in backpacking. ALL skills levels are WELCOME. This group is primarily overnight/multi-day backpacking adventures... with possibly some social gathering for members throughout the year \
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. We want everyone who attends our Meetup trips to have a great time! Of course, being sore will inevitably be part of it sometimes ;). So, to help ensure this, there are a couple “ground rules” to follow. \
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. - No drugs permitted on group trips. If anyone is found using these, they will be removed from the group. \
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- Act responsibly/Safety first. Do not put yourself, or others in danger while on group outings. \
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- Be respectful/Courteous. Everyone has different skill levels and/or methods. We all have lots to learn from, and teach others. We can do this in a polite, respectful manner. Acting in a belligerent way towards others will not be tolerated. \
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- Know your capability. Please do not sign up to attend trips that are outside your capability. While we only truly grow when we push ourselves past our “comfort zone”, you should understand which trips you can confidently push yourself to handle, and which ones you should pass on until another time...
- Use and keep your RSVP current. Some trips have a size limit. If you sign up for a trip and for whatever reason cannot make it, please update your RSVP so people on the waitlist can join/attend. No shows on trips may not affect you, but they affect the group, so please keep your RSVP’s current.
There will be trips through out the year of various intensities for different skill levels. The host will give a brief description of each trip and the level of intensity.
ADVANCED/STRENUOUS Trips: These more advanced trips will typically require the host speaking with each of you about the demands of the route.
Let's Have Fun ! So grab your gear, sign up, and let’s hit the trail !!
Upcoming events
5
Women's Backpacking - Hot Springs to Max Patch
Appalachian Trail Head: South Hot Springs, 204 Lance Ave, Hot Springs, NC, USPlease join me for a one night backpacking trip from Hot Springs, NC to the iconic Max Patch.
** In order to make this trip work logistically I need at least two people or one with a 3rd row seating capacity vehicle to agree to meet me at the termination point on Saturday at 8am to drop car(s) (Max Patch Parking). We will drop one or two cars at the end of our trail and then go to Hot Springs to to meet the other backpackers. **
We will meet at the Appalachian Trail South Trailhead Parking in Hot Springs Saturday morning, hike 13 miles and camp at the Walnut Mountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail (AT). Sundays hike will be around 7 miles. Expected elevation gain 6,161. Here is a link to the route on AllTrails.
- Regarding RSVPs - Everyone will be initially go to "waitlist". This trip is only open to those that have gone on a backpacking trip with me in the past. Maximum attendance is 13 (including myself)
- This is cross posted with another meetup. If you are on the waitlist and not getting moved although there appear to be spots left this may be why, but feel free to ask 😊
- Dogs are not expressly prohibited, however, I do ask that if you plan to bring your fur baby you post to the group for everyone's awareness.
- NO COTTON - Please do not wear any cotton or cotton blend clothing. Cotton does not dry. Damp or wet cotton clothing can accelerate the onset of hypothermia, even in Summer. Look for merino wool, wool blends, or synthetic materials.
I expect average pace for this hike to be around 2 mph. **If you know that you cannot currently hike with a full pack at this pace please reach out to me for ideas on how to condition yourself to prepare**.
Here is a link to my suggested packing checklist I hope it works but if not please let me know and I’ll see what I can do: Backpacking Checklist
Standard Notice, Disclaimer:
Meetup organizers/ leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for your own safety and well-being. By signing up for this and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possible death. The organizers of this group and current and former members can not be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant-including you- at ant event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. 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 a claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.6 attendees
Big Bald Mountain - Appalachian Trail
Sam's Gap, 4460 Flag Pond Rd, Mars Hill, TN, USPlease join us for a pretty hike on the Appalachian Trail. We'll gradually ascend through (in the fall) a colorful maple and oak forest to reach the expansive summit of Big Bald. We’ll emerge from the forest on a lofty grassy bald at 5,516 feet, where we’ll have 360° views of the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Although Big Bald is a tall peak itself, we’lll be dwarfed by the Black Mountains (southeast) and Great Smoky Mountains (southwest). We’ll also have clear views of the Roan Highlands, Great Craggy Mountains, Bald Mountains, and Newfound Mountains from the summit.
I’ll be hiking a moderate pace of around 35-min miles uphill and 25-min miles down hill. Want to hike faster? No problem. Just be prepared to navigate for yourself. Want to hike slower? I don’t mind waiting a few minutes each mile or two for us to re-group. Otherwise, you make sure you can navigate yourself to camp and come along with us!
Hike Level – Intermediate -- typically hiked at 30-35 minutes/mile uphill & 25 mins/mile downhill
Itinerary:
Saturday, November 15, 2025 9:30 am - meet at parking area at Sam's Gap just off of I-26 at the Tennessee border. We’ll depart at the AT Trailhead (mile marker 320.0 in Far Out) for camp at Bald Mountain Shelter (m.m. 327.7 ) 7.7 miles, 2,600’ AEGain & 700’ AELoss.Sunday, November 16 – break camp and return via the same trail 7.7 miles, 700’ AEGain and 2,600’ AELoss.
Water:
Plan to carry the water you need for the 7.7-mile hike. We will have water to filter close by once we arrive to camp.Disclaimers:
- Know your abilities. This is a moderate hike typically hiked at 30-35 minutes/mile uphill
- We do not wait at trail intersections. Be prepared by having a map (or map app) and studying the route. Each mile or two we tend to wait 3-5 minutes for folks to re-group, but we don't wait too much more than that. Be prepared to navigate yourself.
- Hike organizers are in no way responsible for you, your health, or safety. By attending this event you acknowledge that the organizers assume no liability for you or your gear.
Directions to parking:
In Google Maps type in “Appalachian Trail - Sams Gap.” The parking area is at 4460 Flag Pond Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754. The parking is at AT mile marker 320.You can find a nice description & download a .gpx track here - Big Bald hike .
You can find more hike details & a trail profile here Big Bald AT GuideWe hope you’ll join us!
10 attendees
2 nights - Great Smoky Mountains - Gabes Mountain / Maddron Bald Loop
Location not specified yetHike off your turkey and pie in the Smokies with us on a 2 night 17 (+/-) mile backpacking trip. This is one of the best backpacking loops in the entire park! First, we'll hike along the lower reaches of Gabes Mountain, passing Hen Wallow Falls and entering virgin woodland to camp at Sugar Cove. Next, we'll head up Maddron Bald Trail to Albright Grove, which contains some of the park’s largest trees. We'll camp along resonant high-country Otter Creek. We'll surmount Maddron Bald, which sports awe-inspiring views. We'll return via the rugged Snake Den Ridge Trail, where more vistas open on heath balds.
Total Ascent: 6,632 ft
Total Descent: 6,612 ftParking pass required to park in GSMNP. See Logistics notes below.
Campsites require paid reservations in GSMNP. The campsite reservation fee is $16 per person. See Logistics notes below.If you want to join this trip please join the Waitlist. I’ll message the first 8 vetted people with how to pay the $16. Once I receive your camping reservation payment I’ll move you to the Going list.
*See logistics notes below about side trips on adjoining trails to work on the 900 Mile challenge. These are also noted for each day.
Day 1:
4.9 miles
Meet at 12PM at the Cosby hiker parking lot B
We'll walk a short distance up the road then turn onto the Gabes Mountain Trail. We'll follow this trail, taking a right turn to stay on the main trail after about .3 miles. We can pause to enjoy the view at Hen Wallow Falls. We'll keep going until we reach campsite #34 Sugar Cove (3,061 ft elevation) where we'll camp for the night.Day 2:
~7 miles
We'll take our time getting started and continue on the Gabes Mountain trail. We'll take a left onto the Maddron Bald Trail where it intersects with the Old Settlers Trail. We'll continue on Maddron Bald trail and those interested can take the 0.6 mile Albright Grove Loop Trail* where we'll meander through old growth forest that boasts some of the park's most diverse plant communities. If you prefer not to make this side trip you can continue on the Maddron Bald Trail until you reach our camp for the night, #29 Otter Creek (4,528 ft elevation).*Note, we'll be taking the 2nd entrance and backtracking 0.3 to get the full trail miles in for our 900 mile challenge (optional).
Day 3:
~6.4 miles
We'll continue on the Maddron Bald trail where we'll have the opportunity for some expansive views atop heath balds. We'll look for a side trail leading left to an overlook at a rocky point. After returning from the viewpoint we'll continue until we reach Snake Den Ridge Trail*, the high point of the loop, over 5,300 feet, and take this trail back down toward Cosby Campground.*Note for the 900 mile challenge (optional) we'll be taking the Snake Den Ridge Trail up to the AT and back down for an extra 1.4 miles.
We'll take a left* to stay on the main Snake Den Ridge Trail and head through the campground and back to our cars.
*For the 900 mile challenge, we'll backtrack from the campground and be doing some of the other trails around Cosby Campground to complete these trails for our 900 mile challenge for a total of 10.4 for the day (optional).
Logistics:
Note that we, Heather (Hobbit) & Tyler (Bluedeer), are working on the Smoky Mountains 900 mile challenge (hike every open trail in the park). So there are a few side trails we plan to take on this trip. If you're already working on it or interested in also completing this challenge, feel free to join us on these side trips to get your miles in. Otherwise you can stick to the basic route as documented via the Gaia link or FarOut map in the logistics section below.
Disclaimers:
- Hike organizers are in no way responsible for you, your health, or safety. By attending this event you acknowledge that the organizers assume no liability for you or your gear.
- Know your abilities. This is a difficult hike, with some strenuous sections.
- Plan for cold weather. Given the elevations we're camping and hiking in and the time of year, we expect the weather to be quite cold. Be sure you have the appropriate gear for this type of backpacking.
- We do not wait at trail intersections. Be prepared by having a map (or map app) and studying the route. There are many turns on this trip, know the route! We have provided the route map via Gaia below.
- Be prepared for water crossings and unknown trail conditions. There could still be damage due to Hurricane Helene in this area and depending on recent rains there could be some water crossings.
Gaia Map Route (Free): https://www.gaiagps.com/map/?loc=13.1/-83.2432/35.7439&layer=GaiaTopoRasterFeet&pubLink=Ze4TVyVGqNmJ9vsh7cxS8YI5&routeId=dd08ff0e-3898-44df-b2c4-29982ef21e7d
FarOut map (fee): https://app.faroutguides.com/guides/24%20Maddron%20Bald%20Loop/geoStart & End points:
- We'll start and end at the Hiker parking lot B in Cosby Campground: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NAXdrRoQHQ7xxB299
Parking:
- Parking passes are required to park in GSMNP as of March 2023
- You will need to purchase your own parking pass either at https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/fees.htm#basics and PRINT it out ahead of time or purchase one at a kiosk at the parking area so you can display it in your dash.
- You will need a pass for THREE days so we recommend getting the weekly pass as it's the same price as three daily passes.
Campsites
- Campsites in the Smokies must be reserved ahead of time and are $8 per person per night, $16 total for this trip. ORGANIZERS will pre-pay for the campsite reservations
- Payments are refundable until Nov 14, 2025. That would allow enough time for another person to join and pay should you decide to cancel so we don't lose any of the reservation fees.
6 attendees
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