Outings

Appalachian Trail - Big Laurel Branch Wilderness; © Bill Hodge
Appalachian Trail - Big Laurel
Branch Wilderness; © Bill Hodge

Join us for a hike in the Cherokee National Forest. We offer a variety of outings each month including day hikes, backpacking trips, and trail maintenance trips.  Checkout the list below and register to explore YOUR Cherokee National Forest!  Upon registration, you will be provided with the exact meeting time and location for the outing.  For more information or to register, contact Jeff Hunter at 423-322-7866 or Jeff@safc.org.

  • March 13, 2010 - Waucheesi Mountain Hike, Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area, 7 miles, Rated: Moderate
  • March 27-28, 2010 - Two day introduction to backpacking, Appalachian Trail, Big Laurel Branch Wilderness, 15 miles, Rated: Strenuous
  • April 10, 2010 - Early spring wildflower hike with Kurt Emmanuele, Savage Gulf State Natural Area, Rated: Moderate
  • April 22-25, 2010 - Four day Wilderness to Wilderness backpack, Citico Creek Wilderness to Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area, 30+ miles, Rated: Strenuous. 
  • May 8, 2010 - Birding Hike with Kyle Waggener of the Chattanooga Nature Center and Jeff Hunter of Tennessee Wild.  This fun and informative hike in the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area will focus on migratory songbirds. We will identify birds by song and sight. Participants must provide their own binoculars. We will have lunch at a local eatery after the outing.   Rated: Moderate
  • May 15, 2010 - Wildflower hike on the Benton MacKaye Trail along Sycamore Creek with botanist Gene Van Horn. Trip mileage TBD the day of the event.  The first mile of the walk is a gentle rail grade.  After that the trail climbs up towards Whigg Meadow on an old forest road. After the walk we will have a meal together at the Tellico Kats Deli,  Rated: Easy/Moderate.
  • May 14-15, 2010 - Two Day Wilderness Photography Workshop. Leader: Bill Hodge, Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area, Activities and mileage TBD.
  • May 22, 2010 - Introduction to day hiking in Wilderness,  Beaver Dam Bald down Brookshire Creek Trail, 5.7 Miles, Rated: Moderate
  • June 11-13, 2010 -  Three Rivers Backpack - Tellico River to Hiwassee River on the Benton MacKaye Trail, 31.5 Miles, Rated: Difficult
  • June 20, 2010, Father's Day Hike - Mud Gap to Whigg Meadow, Nantahala National Forest, 3.2 Miles roundtrip, Rated: Easy