Autumn Glory in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee
Highlights
- Explore Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Choose daily hikes of varying scenery
- Lodge at Tremont Institute outdoor center
Includes
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Choice of two daily hikes with naturalist guides
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Lodging and all meals
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Evening programs with local music, storytelling, yoga
Overview
The Trip
Great Smoky National Park contains the last large piece of the southern Appalachian forest and some of the richest biological diversity in the United States. It has more than 100 species of native trees, more than 1,500 flowering plants, and 200 species of birds. From the spruce fir forests on the highest peaks to the hardwood forests in sheltered valleys, we will experience the beauty of hiking in deep woods and the magnificent views from exposed ridgetops
The Trip
Great Smoky National Park contains the last large piece of the southern Appalachian forest and some of the richest biological diversity in the United States. It has more than 100 species of native trees, more than 1,500 flowering plants, and 200 species of birds. From the spruce fir forests on the highest peaks to the hardwood forests in sheltered valleys, we will experience the beauty of hiking in deep woods and the magnificent views from exposed ridgetops at the height of fall color.
We’ll stay in the Park at the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont, a residential environmental learning center affiliated with the University of Tennessee. Here we will eat, sleep, and join Tremont’s educational programs along with school groups. We will enjoy meals in a community dining hall with school groups. Sierra Club will have their own tables.
Tremont’s naturalist staff will offer hiking options of varying difficulty and terrain choices for our group each day. The number of options will depend on our final group size. Transportation to and from our trailheads is provided in large passenger vans. Additional participant carpooling will be needed for any hike if the number of hikers exceeds the van’s capacity.
Itinerary
Each day begins with eating a simple breakfast and packing a trail lunch. We travel to our trail location for the day’s hike and return late afternoon to early evening. Time between hikes and dinner will be for relaxing, socializing, or exploring the campus. We meet briefly after dinner to discuss and choose hikes for the next day. Then, after the hike discussion, we will partake in an evening program such as Appalachian storytelling, live traditional mountain music, black bear ecology, and discussion of environmental issues.
Please keep in mind the itinerary may differ slightly due to weather, number of participants, and Great Smoky Mountain Institute.
Logistics
Getting There
The closest airport to our location is Knoxville’s McGee-Tyson Airport, which is approximately an hour's drive southeast. Tremont offers a shuttle service from and to the airport for a nominal fee. More detailed information will be provided to all trip members.
Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.
Accommodations and Food
Our trip begins and ends at Tremont. We will sleep in Caylor Lodge, a heated/air-conditioned building with men's and women's dormitories and modern bathrooms and showers. Single and couple’s rooms are not available. There is no cell phone reception in Walker Valley. However, there is wireless internet available in the activity center if you have your own laptop or device. An emergency contact phone number will be provided to trip members.
Getting There
The closest airport to our location is Knoxville’s McGee-Tyson Airport, which is approximately an hour's drive southeast. Tremont offers a shuttle service from and to the airport for a nominal fee. More detailed information will be provided to all trip members.
Please do not make travel arrangements until the leader has confirmed you as a trip member.
Accommodations and Food
Our trip begins and ends at Tremont. We will sleep in Caylor Lodge, a heated/air-conditioned building with men's and women's dormitories and modern bathrooms and showers. Single and couple’s rooms are not available. There is no cell phone reception in Walker Valley. However, there is wireless internet available in the activity center if you have your own laptop or device. An emergency contact phone number will be provided to trip members.
Tremont’s dining routine is much like a school cafeteria. This is a great way to get to know one another better and hear about the hikes of the day. We all take part in setting, serving, and clearing our tables. Tremont takes pride in their low waste system and composting. The meals are basic to accommodate several people and different age groups all at once. If you are particular with food, please get in touch with the leader for more details before signing up. Storage lockers are provided for the group to hold any supplemental food and snacks, if you choose to bring any. Breakfast offers both hot and cold selections. There is an array of food such as sandwiches, tortillas, snack bars, chips, and fruit for packing trail lunches. Dinners may include dishes such as chicken and rice, spaghetti, and meatloaf. A fresh and plentiful salad buffet is offered with each dinner. Vegetarian options are always available. Tea, coffee, and snacks are available most hours. Any participant with more specific food requirements should notify the leader when applying. Due to COVID-19 precautions, some of the dining and meal prep (lunches) may be altered. Please get in touch with the leader if you have any question
Trip Difficulty
This trip is suitable for active and agile hikers in good health who can comfortably maintain a level pace of 2+ mph and can walk without difficulty, uphill or downhill. Most of the hikes offered are in the range of five to 10 miles and up to 1,500 feet of ascent and descent. Any hike, no matter how easily classified, may contain sections of strenuous and challenging terrain with steep elevation gains and losses, or rock-hopping across stream crossings. Trails are often rocky and slippery when wet. We will not rush, however, and we will stop to rest and learn about our surroundings as we hike. It is essential for your enjoyment of the trip to hike in the months before the trip at the difficulty level we will experience.
The Great Smoky Mountain Institute requires a brief liability waiver form that will be provided to all participants.
Equipment and Clothing
You will need to bring hiking clothes, daypack, rain gear, and boots. Casual clothes are appropriate for meals at the Tremont facility. Bedding and towels are provided. A more detailed list will be provided to all trip members.
References
Maps:
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Both Earthwalk Press and National Geographic have excellent trail maps covering the entire Park. Hiking Map and Guide to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Earthwalk Press and Great Smoky Mountains National Park Map (Trails Illustrated Map Number 229).
Books:
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Adams, Kevin, Hiking Great Smoky Mountain National Park (A Falcon Guide). 2013.
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Hiking Trails Of The Smokies. Great Smoky Mountain Association.
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Frome, Michael, Strangers In High Places.
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Brown, Margaret Lynn, The Wild East.
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Lloyd, Jeremy, A Home in Walker Valley: The Story of Tremont. 2009.
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The Audubon Society Nature Guide to Eastern Forests. A. A. Knopf.
These and other publications are available through the Great Smoky Mountain Association, www.SmokiesStore.org, and at gift stores in the Park visitor centers.
Conservation
Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934 after the public and Congress recognized the devastating impact of commercial logging in this area, one of the last old-growth forests in Appalachia. On this trip we will learn about the environmental issues facing the Park today and what we can do to help. Air pollution from outside the Park, acid rain, and ground level ozone are continuing challenges. Non-native insects, such as the hemlock wooly adelgid, threaten to destroy old-growth hemlocks. The southern pine beetle, wild hogs, and the poaching of black bears are additional challenges we will discuss.
Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and will operate under a permit from Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Staff
Important Notes
- Carbon Offsets
- Carpooling
- Electronic Billing and Forms
- Electronic Devices
- Equipment
- Essential Eligibility Criteria
- How to Apply for a Trip
- Leader Gratuities
- Medical Issues
- Non-discrimination Statement
- Participant Agreement
- Seller of Travel Disclosure
- Single Supplements
- Terms and Conditions
- Travel Insurance
- Trip Feedback
- Trip Price
- Wilderness Manners