Chili Cookoff - October 26th 4:00pm

4:00 PM CHILI COOK-OFF at Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area - COVERED PAVILION. GSMNP (Great Smoky Mountains National Park)

Same Day as the hike... Saturday October 26th.  It will be cool-crisp but it will be wonderful FALL FUN!!!!

Whether you hike or not...please join us at 4pm.  We have the pavilion reserved until 8pm

Come on later if you cannot make 4pm. 

Bring Chili....your best/favorite or creative recipe, 
a 2 liter and 
an easy desert (cookies, etc.) if you wish. (marshmallows will be roasted)  
Great time to be bring instant hot chocolate....we will have HOT H20.

If you have a Camp Stove/Coleman, etc. (no electricity is available) please bring to keep chili heat/warm would he helpful.

To make it more fun, think up a creative name for you chili. 

For example "Ken's Spicy- Smoky Mountain Chili"...."Paige's Lime Essence-Twangy Chili"

We want to sample your chili and declare a CHAMPION CHILI CHEF....complete with bragging rights until next year.

Directions - Metcalf Bottoms Picnic Area is located on River Rd. in the GSMNP. 

 From Maryville -  Go to the Wye (Y ) and turn LEFT onto Little River Rd.(TN73) 

Metcalf Bottoms is approximately half way to the Sugarlands. (?5miles) It will be on the Left. 

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):

35.68028, -83.64944

35°40'49"N, 83°38'58"W

Directions From Knoxville...Go to Gatlinburg. - Take Bypass around Galinburg to Newfound Gap Road (aka US441) south from Gatlinburg. Turn RIGHT onto Little River Road (TN73) at the Sugarlands Visitors Center. Go 10 miles and turn RIGHT at Metcalf Bottoms picnic area sign. Picnic pavilion is on LEFT/west side of picnic area.

Google Maps works as well....https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=203389968209651568855.00049e3978f731bd48e93

We will enjoy the Chili and have a fellowship together!

Hike October 26 - 8:00 AM

TWO big events next weekend! OCTOBER 26th ...the hike and the Chili at 4PM.

The hike...it is one of the best hikes in the GSMNP.

For most of us in East Tennessee,when you say "Mt. LeConte" you must place your hand over your heart!

MEETING at 8:00 at the Trail Head for ALUM CAVE TRAIL. 

From Maryville,  go to the WYE/"Y", turn LEFT onto Little River Rd. (opposite of Cades Cove)

This road will be traversing the center portion of the park (very curvy and FOGGY in the early morning) to the Sugarlands Visitor center which is on the left. (FYI - take the bathroom break and stretch.)

Next, turn RIGHT onto (US441)NewFound Gap Rd. going toward Cherokee NC, . 8.7 Miles to the Alum Cave Trailhead is on the LEFT.

From Knoxville, etc...I would go toward Gatlinburg, use the bypass around the city and drop down at the Sugarlands Visitor center -(Which is on the corner of Little River Rd and New Found Gap Rd.)

 Take a break andNext,  turn RIGHT from Little River Rd onto (US441)NewFound Gap Rd. going toward Cherokee NC, . 8.7 Miles to the Alum Cave Trailhead is on the LEFT.

WARNING - PARKING WILL BE A ZOO!! The earlier you arrive the better!  Be Prepared - it is worth the effort, but generally,  people will be everywhere in October at the Trail Head.  Parking in the grass, etc. has generally been accepted by the Park Service.   When we come back to the cars after the hike you will be amazed at the inventive parking methods of the late arriving hikers. (a Note: I try to begin the hike in the dark, pre-daylight, to beat the crowds...but not this Saturday...just say'n.)

The hike is 10-11 miles round trip. (plan for 5-6 hours) It is uphill most of the 5 miles up and then downhill back to the cars.  A truly fabulous hike with vistas of fall leaves,  rock formations and of course the summit!

Layer your clothes....you can take layers off and change it up as needed through out the day. 

Bring water, bring food for the trail and lunch, and always bring rain jacket/pancho....(even on sunny days) and of course, comfortable walking shoes with excellent socks. (Synthetic or synthetic-wool blend (Smartwool) are best and provide the least chance of a blister.)

If needed - just buy $10-15 Excellent SOCKS and keep your OLD SHOES/ Running shoes, etc....Trust me. It's all about the socks.  Generally it is a bad idea to purchase new shoes and then go immediately on a hike...

just invest in EXCELLENT SOCKS (do you see a pattern?).

With the outdoors in general : "Cotton is ROTTEN"....Cotton socks, in my own personal experience and backpacking and hiking as a Boy Scouts leader,  will almost always get wet, causing friction and then wear a blister.  

Few things kill your morale more than hurting feet...and it so preventable. 

We will be taking our time and enjoying the day...Ken hikes slow.