What we’re about
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+)
See all- SAVE THE DATE- Navitat Treetop Zipline AdventureIjams Nature Center, Knoxville, TN
SAVE THE DATE! I will send out more information in September as I see how many people are interested in going to Navitat Treetop Zipline Adventure at Ijams in Knoxville.
Get your harness ready! Let's go to Navitat Treetop Zipline Adventure at Ijams in Knoxville. This is a family friendly obstacle course in the trees. There are six different courses in the trees ranging from easy to extreme. Each course has 10-12 different challenging elements. Also included is a full-body harness, gloves, a helmet, and expert guides nearby for assistance.
This is the link to the website: https://navitatknoxville.com/
This is a family friendly event! Kids and adults are both welcome to join the fun in the trees.
The cost is $55- $60 depending on the group size. In addition, Ijams charges $5 for parking. There are two different options to book this event depending on the interest. If 15 people or less are interested, then we will book individual tickets.
If 16-30 people are interested, then I will book the group rate. The group rate does require a $300 deposit to secure the timeslot. The ticket price for a group is around 10% less than an individual ticket.
If I book the group rate, then I will require a $10- $20 (depending on the group size) deposit from each person attending before booking. If there is enough interest, then I will send out more information in September on securing the group rate.
This is one my favorite activities in Knoxville, and I am excited to take a group there. Please reach out if you have any additional questions about the event.
- Feed The Bear!!Elkmont Campground Ranger Station, Gatlinburg, NC
"What's for Dinner"?
FEED THE BEAR!
TRADITION
The founder of GSHAG, Emory Cantrell, had a long-standing tradition of collecting donations at the Spring and Fall picnics to help defray expenses for those events, as well as cover the annual cost of our Meetup Group. The former can run several hundred dollars per cookout, while the latter has recently risen above $300 per year.Emory called it "Feeding the Bear".
He wanted to make sure that our active Event Organizers didn't get saddled with the monetary costs for those events in addition to volunteering their time and energy planning and leading events. He also wanted to avoid charging participants an annual membership fee like some groups do.
We'll continue that tradition at this Fall's cookout, and add a new twist. Traditionally there would be a "passing the hat" type of collection process during and after the Saturday night meal, which we'll honor.
However, we have far more members attending our events than just those coming to the Cookout. We'd like to give everyone the opportunity to financially support GSHAG, if they so choose.
DONATIONS
In addition to cash donations at the Cookouts, we have also set up a stand-alone, dedicated GSHAG Venmo Account to receive donations, as well as to reimburse folks who we ask to make purchases for our Cookouts and other group-wide events. The link above will display a Venmo scan code to access the account.Using the Venmo app, you can also search for:
Lane - GSHAG DeCost @ LdecostIf you choose to donate ahead of the cookout, would you be so kind as to add "Feed the Bear - GSHAG" in the Comment field so we can track the donations.
Thanks for helping us keep the GSHAG group up and running. We couldn't do it without your generosity.
GSHAG Leadership team
- GSHAG's Fall Cookout/Campout! --- Hike, Learn, and Feast!Elkmont Campground Smoky Mountain National Park, Gatlinburg, TN
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** PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST BEFORE SIGNING UP **OVERVIEW
It’s time to start thinking about making reservations for some Fall splendor in the Smokies!!We’ll spend the weekend at the Elkmont Campground off of Little River Rd. near Gatlinburg, TN, from Friday through Sunday, October 10-12. We'll take advantage of the crisp Fall mornings in the high 40s, and warm afternoons in the high 60s to hike, feast and socialize as the leaves begin to change!
This is a fantastic opportunity to visit the waterfalls, trails, and streams on the TN side of the GSMNP, along the Little River and Middle Prong rivers
We’ll offer multiple events over the weekend, from Beginner to Difficult level hikes, and mini-clinics on how to “Stay Safe and Found” and how to get the most out of your Garmin emergency satellite device; with more hikes and adventures on Friday and Sunday.
DINING
We’ll share a group potluck style cookout on Saturday night, with volunteers cooking burgers, hotdogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. We’ll meet at a designated campsite for dinner. Everyone is encouraged to bring a side, salad, or dessert to be shared among the group.HIKING
On Saturday we’ll set up a series of hikes originating and/or ending near the campground. We’ll also offer a family friendly waterfall hike to the often forgotten Spruce Flats Falls near the Tremont Institute. More info and sign-ups to come.CAMPING
Hikers can choose to camp overnight on Friday, Saturday, or both nights. We’ll be camping in the area on the northeast side of the campground. There are spaces for tents, as well as RVs, and camper trucks, and the generator loop is the next road over. We have already started grabbing campsites in Loops A and B.Campsite reservations 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.
As soon as families start planning their Fall Leaf Season trips these spots will be Gone! If you want to camp, you’ll need to make your reservations now!
PARKING TAGS
Frontcountry 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 as a visitor a parking tag is required. You can buy a daily or weekly pass at the Townsend Wye, Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Pavilion, or the Sugarlands Visitor Center.“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 information 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
Elkmont Campground Ranger Station
Elkmont Campground Map
Campsite reservationsDISCLAIMER
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 Team - Training Hike - Little River to BC 30 - 13 Miles - ModerateElkmont Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN
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*** PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POSTING BEFORE SIGNING UP ***We get lots of requests for higher intensity hikes from those training for longer hiking or backpacking trips, those trying to get "trail shape", or those trying to build up their endurance and increase their ability to do higher elevation hikes. This hike is designed for those who want to push their boundaries a bit, and will have internal faster and slower groups. We'll need some co-leaders to make that happen.
Little River - BC 30 - Cucumber Gap Loop - 13.0 Miles / +561’ – Moderate
We'll meet at the Little River TH at 8:30, divide into faster and slower groups, check gear, and then hike about 2 miles south to the junction with the Cucumber Gap. Then we'll continue another 4 miles out to campsite BC 30, and then back to CG. We'll then follow Cucumber Gap back to the Jakes Creek trail, and then head south to the parking lot, for a total of 13 miles. We'll gain 1200 feet of elevation at 200 fpm, with a two mile section of 400 feet-per-mile. (see the Trail Slope Key link below). We expect to be off trail by 3:30-4:00. We'll eat lunch/snacks at BC 30.
WATER CROSSING
There is a water crossing just before BC 30 that usually requires a wet" crossing, or wade. We recommend non-waterproof shoes, or a pair of Crocs for the crossing, and hiking poles for better stability.WHAT TO BRING
We always suggest carrying the 14 Essentials when going onto the woods. You can download a pdf file here that discusses these essentials.Because it’s the Smokies, we always need to be mindful of the weather and bring waterproof outer layers to be safe, at least one liter of water, and snacks. You may also want to pack a lunch.
LATECOMERS AND 'NO-SHOWS'
Because this type of event has a lot of moving parts it’s important that everyone is on time (or early). You wouldn't want to get left behind because you’re running late. If your plans change and you can’t come on the hike please remember to change your RSVP so we’re not waiting for you.*** Failure to change your RSVP, or let us know at least an hour ahead of the hike's start time, qualifies as a 'No-Show' for me, and you may not be able to hike with me in the future. ***
NAVIGATIOIN AIDS
Trail Map
Elevation ProfileTrail Slope Key
Trail GPS file (.gpx) (download only).DISCLAIMER
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 HOST
Patty Hamorsky - 900 Miler
