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- Feed The Bear!!Deep Creek Campground, Bryson City, 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 June's cookout and in the Fall, 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 Deep Creek Summer Campout! --- Hike, Float, Fish, and Feast!Deep Creek Campground, Bryson City, NC
Photo courtesy of Deep Creek Tube Center & Campground
OVERVIEW
It’s time to start thinking about some summer fun!!We’ll spend the weekend at the Deep Creek Campground near Byson City, NC from Friday through Sunday (June 20-22) hiking, floating, fishing, and feasting! This is a fantastic opportunity to visit the waterfalls, trails, and streams on the NC side of the GSMNP.
We’ll offer multiple events over the weekend, from Beginner to Difficult level hikes, a mini-clinic on how to “Mark a 900 Mile Map”, and a Gear Swap on Saturday; with more hikes, trout fishing, and family tubing on 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 the Deep Creek Picnic Area pavilion just past the entrance to the campground, on the left. 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 dropping down to Deep Creek from along the Clingmans Dome road, using a paid shuttle bus from the campground to the THs. We’ll also offer a family friendly waterfall hike. More info and sign-ups to come.TUBING
Sunday morning folks can choose to join a group tubing down Deep Creek—again and again. The upper section is narrower and offers more thrills, especially when the water is a bit above normal. The lower section is wider and more suitable for families with younger kids, or folks not as calm about being in the water. We’ll rent the tubes from one of several local providers. More info to come in a separate event posting.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, towards the back. There are spaces for tents, as well as RVs, and camper trucks. We have already started grabbing campsites between 60 and 77.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 summer vacations these spots will be Gone!
If you want to camp, you’ll need to make your reservations now!FISHING
Are you not just a hiker, but also love to fish? Do you yearn to fly fish along those pristine rivers you have been hiking next to? Then get your fishing poles and gear ready because we are coordinating a trout fishing event on Sunday. Weather permitting. More info in an upcoming event posting.GEAR SWAP
Is your gear closet out of control? Not ready to invest in pricey new gear? Then come join us Saturday, June 21st after dinner at the Deep Creek Picnic Area Pavilion for a private gear swap where fellow hikers attending the GSHAG Deep Creek campout can sell, trade or buy gently used, pre-loved gear. More details to follow!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, a parking tag is required. You can buy a day pass at the restrooms near the entrance to the campground, just before the Deep Creek Campground Kiosk.“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.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
Deep Creek Campground
Deep Creek Picnic Area Pavilion
Deep Creek Campground Kiosk
Deep Creek Campground Campsite 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 - Newfound Gap - Smokemont - 2 Options - 9/19 miles - Moderate / StrenuousNewfound Gap Parking Area, Bryson City, NC
.
*** PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POSTING BEFORE SIGNING UP ***OVERVEW
We'll hike out the AT to iconic Charlies Bunion by one of two routes. O1 hikers will return to the cars at NFG, while O2 hikers continue with a 3000' descent into Smokemont Campground over the next 9 miles.QUALIFICATIONS
Option 1: You should be comfortable hiking a 2.0-2.5 mph pace with 800-1000 feet of elevation change for 5-8 miles. - ModerateOption 2: You should be comfortable hiking a 2.0-2.5 mph pace with 1500-2000 feet of elevation change for 12-15 miles. - Difficult
MEETING LOCATION
We are offering two Options, with the details for each hike below. All hikers will gather at the Newfound Gap parking area at 9:00 to hike.OPTION 1
NFG - AT - Charlies Bunion - 9 miles +/- 1100' - ModerateHikers will meet at NFG, and then hike northeast on the AT for 4.5 miles to Charlie's Bunion, gaining 1100' at a 450 feet-per-mile slope. With any luck we'll have great views from the iconic peak. Leaving the Bunion, we will hike back to our cars at NFG. We should be off trail around 2:00-2:30. (We'll need co-leaders for this hike to happen.)
OPTION 2
AT-Sweat Heifer-Grassy Branch-Dry Sluice-(AT)-Bradley Fork=SM CG - 19 miles +2200'/-3600' - StrenuousWe’ll meet at 8:30 at Smokemont CG near the Bradley Fork TH parking area, do a gear check, and then shuttle up to Newfound Gap.
We'll hike up the AT 1.7 miles to the Sweat Heifer junction, and then drop 2200’ down SH for 3.7 miles to Kephart Prong, at a 600 fpm slope. We’ll then climb north on Grassy Branch to Dry Sluice Gap, gaining 2400’ at a lung busting 700+ fpm slope over 2.5 miles.
We’ll do an up-and-back to tag the AT (with an optional visit to Charlies Bunion) and then drop 2600’ over 4.2 miles to the Cabin Flats junction, where we’ll do an out-and-back to BC 42. We’ll finish off with an easy 4 miles to the parking lot, for a 19 mile day. We should be off trail by 5:30 or so. Volunteers will shuttle drivers back up to NFG to collect their cars.
WHAT TO BRING
Bring a day bag, with at least one liter of water, snacks, an extra insulation layer, gloves and a hat. O2 hikers may want to bring a headlamp in case we're delayed.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 need to always be mindful of the weather, and bring the necessary insulation layers and waterproof outer layers, at least 1 liter of water, and a lunch or snacks.
LATECOMERS AND NO-SHOWS
It's important for everyone to be early, or at least on time. We would hate to leave a hiker behind because they are running late. (It happens)If your plans change and you can't come on the hike, please remember to change your RSVP at least an hour before the event begins, so you don't wind up on my "No-Fly" list.
*** Failure to do so qualifies as a "No-Show" with me and you may not be allowed to join future hikes or backpacking trips. ***
NAVIGATION AIDS
Newfound Gap Meeting Location (O1-9:00)
Bradley Fork Parking Area Meeting Location (O2-8:30)Option 1 Profile
Option 2 ProfileNFG-Smokemont Hikes GPS (.gpx) file
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 ORGANIZER
Lane DeCost - AT 2000 Miler '23 / Search and Rescue volunteer / 900 Miler x4 - Hiwassee River CampoutGee Creek Campground , Delano, TN$15.00
2025 Gee Creek Campout (Delano, TN)
Join the waiting list, pay $15 camp fee, then I'll move you to going. (See below)
As we get into the summer, this is a great campground for a weekend of playing on the Hiwassee River. This is a primitive campground with NO electricity or water hookups. The reserved group area is basically an open area to set up tents. There are port-a-potties close and there are bathhouses with sinks, toilets and hot showers in the center of the campground. This campground is just a short walk down to the river's edge. This campground is limited by parking so until I double check availability we have limited to 15 people, If you are traveling with someone let me know so we can bump up the number joining us.
So the plan is:
Friday - we check in after 2pm eastern time. Most will not get there till later. On your own for dinner this night. There are a couple of restaurants within driving distance if you prefer that.
Friday 9pm - Drum circle - Bring a drum or coffee can whatever instrument you like.
Friday 10pm - Quiet hoursSaturday Morning - Breakfast on your own. Then, at 10:30am we will meet at the outfitter for fun trip on the river. You will need to sign up in that event posted separately (we know people might want to hike, fish, read, etc. vs running the river and we need to keep headcounts correct for each event).
Saturday Evening - 5:30pm gather for POT LUCK dinner. Bring something to share with serving utensils and beverages for yourself. We will share a link in the comments, as we get closer to the date, for you to add your dish.Sunday Morning - Breakfast on your own (great breakfast biscuits at the market down the street if cooking isn’t your thing). Then we will pack away our camping gear.
Camping Fee: $15, send as friend, note Gee Creek
Venmo to: @GSHAGrandyhThis will include Camping Friday & Saturday night, and some firewood for a nightly fire. Refunds If the event is canceled or reschedule. No Refunds for Weather, others I will make on a case-by-case bases. I have already paid the money for the group campsite and will have firewood arranged before we get there. Any money collected above the cost of the items above will be put towards the cost of the annual Meetup cost for the group.
Information Link:
Campground Information: Hiwassee / Ocoee Scenic River State Park Camping
Bear Safety: Food Storage Guidelines - Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)DISCLAIMER:
Meetup Organizers 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 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 cannot be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant-including you-at any 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 claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the Organizers of this Meetup group.
