For the several decades, TEHCC has organized a summer weekend trip to Mount LeConte Lodge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This lodge (elevation 6593 ft) can only be reached by hiking trails. Even supplies are brought in by llama train once a week. The hiking distance to the lodge is 5.5 to 7.8 miles one-way depending on the route. The package price this year is $138.30 per person which includes supper on Saturday, lodging for the night, and breakfast on Sunday. We have four reservations in a five-person cabin (double bunk beds and a single). If you are interested in one or more of these reservations, please contact Steve Falling, 423-239-5502, for availability. You must be a TEHCC member to participate in this outing. You can find out more about Mount LeConte Lodge at www.leconte-lodge.com.
From the Chair
April has several opportunities for the club (with more information provided later in the newsletter). Our dinner meeting is on April 19th with a program about the Roan Mountains. The Gear Swap is the following morning (April 20th) in the employee center parking lot on South Wilcox Drive; so clean out the garage/basement/attic/closet of idle outdoor equipment to sell or trade. Several day hikes are appearing on the calendar which support a partnership with Eastman Wellness. Regular trail maintenance outings are getting the path ready for increased use. And finally the APEs group is cross-listing some activities for paddling and backpacking. Hopefully, you can find something of interest to enjoy during this spring month.
ATC Phenology Program
Are you interested in exploring nature and helping out a good cause? ATC is seeking volunteers for their Phenology program. If you’re like me, the quote below should resolve your current question.
What is Phenology?
The term Phenology is derived from the Greek work “phaino”, meaning to show or appear. Phenology is the study of the reoccurring life cycle stages of plants and animals; such as bud break, leaf-out, hibernation, bird migrations an insect emergence. Phenology also includes the study of how the timing of these events relate to biotic and abiotic forces, such as weather and climate.
Read more about it at ATC’s website or download their brochure.
Mission Possible
The Steering Committee decided to again partner with the Mission Possible wellness program. During March through October, TEHCC will be hosting day hikes on some Saturdays and Sunday afternoons. The intent is to provide the required fitness activity through an easy to moderate 2 to 4 hour hike somewhere within an hour driving radius of Kingsport. The hikes will be announced in both the monthly TEHCC newsletter and Mission Possible bulletins. So come enjoy a local trail with your family (while earning some HDA dollars).
A Biennial Celebration at ATC Cullowhee 2013
Plans have been underway for over a year for the biennial celebration at ATC Cullowhee 2013. It will be held at Western Carolina University (WCU) July 19-26, 2013, in Cullowhee N.C. The five AT trail maintaining clubs in North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee have been working on all aspects of this event. TEHCC is responsible for organizing the workshops while other clubs are handling volunteers, hike selection, excursions, entertainment, housing, etc. We expect near 1000 people to attend this week long event. Continue reading “A Biennial Celebration at ATC Cullowhee 2013”
From the Chair – Oct-2012
Vic Hasler, Steering Committee Chair
Our region is blessed with many places to enjoy the fall colors of changing deciduous trees. The show starts in the highest elevations (above 4000’) by the start of October and continues down the mountains peaking around the second or third weekends. So where to go for a “leaf peeper” hike? Just opened last year, the [[Pinnacle Mountain Fire Tower|Pinnacle Mountain Tower Trail]] (9 miles round trip) has wonderful 360 degree views in mid-October. A shorter couple-mile hike up [[White Rock Trail]] in Buffalo Mountain Park offers views along the I-26 valley. A five-mile hike out and back on the AT to [[AT – Little Rock Knob|Little Rock Knob]] is a forested walk to a scenic overview. Joe DeLoach is fond of [[Rattlesnake Ridge|Rattlesnake Ridge Trail]] up Unaka Mountain to Pleasant Gardens Overlook (6-8 miles round trip). This month is also the final push of the Mission Possible wellness program; so consider one of the Sunday afternoon hikes being offered. Enjoy the color before it falls.
Erwin Greenbelt – Trip Report
Mary Fanslow reporting
Event Date: August 19th
Sharon Burnett, Pam McBride, Scott Thomsen, and Mary Fanslow enjoyed a six-mile stroll on the Erwin Linear Trail on Sunday, August 19. Dozens of snapping turtles at the bass ponds and a few great blue heron along Indian Creek also took advantage of the weather to sun themselves. We walked from the trail parking lot behind McDonald’s to the park adjacent to the fish hatchery, then reversed course to the wooden bridge over the wetlands. One of us took occasional detours from the group to inspect “interesting non-wildlife” near the trail (mechanical equipment and machinery from nearby demolition and building sites). Another one stayed after the others left to jog eight miles on the path, continuing on out to the Riverwalk area. We all agreed the Linear Trail was worth a repeat visit.
Clinch River – Trip Report
Deb Reynolds reporting
Event Date: August 8th
I took advantage of one of the guided tours for the Highland Festivals to take a trip on the Clinch. The trip was led by Clinch Valley Outfitters. Although, I used my own kayak, I wish I had paid the extra $5 and used their equipment – less work getting there and getting out. I was impressed with the selection and quality of their kayaks. The river was high that day and very few rocks except at the put-in which was close to Fort Blackmore. We stopped several times for Bill to talk about how the diversity of the eco-system or specific historical events with an opportunity to get out and walk a bit if needed. Bill was raised in Scott County and loves sharing his knowledge of the ecosystem and the history surrounding the Clinch Valley. We saw several blue and green heron as well as the usual geese but not as many birds as I expected. As usual, the end of the trip came too fast and we were soon climbing out of the kayaks for the trip back. The trip out was quite a long haul up a mountain and probably required a 4-wheel or all-wheel drive, but we didn’t have to drive it! We came out on Rt. 72 just a short distance from where we went down for the put-in with the Veterans Memorial in between. I was very impressed with this outfitter and will keep them in mind for a future shuttle.
Steele Creek Park, Bristol, TN – Trinkle Hollow Trails, September 23
Leader: Barry Griggs
Let’s combine several park trails in the Trinkle Hollow area to enjoy a total distance of 4-5 miles. These trails are on the south side of the lake behind the Nature Center and are rated intermediate with lots of shade. The leaves may even be starting to change colors by the hike date. We’ll meet between [[Meeting locations for TEHCC hikes|McDonald’s and State of Franklin Bank in Colonial Heights]] at 1:00pm expecting to finish up by 4:00pm. Please call the hike leader to let him know you are coming or to arrange an alternate meeting location, such as at the park at a different time.