The Chattanooga Hiking Club is a member-supported Tennessee non-profit organization that offers a hiking program to individuals of all skill levels. Club events include day hikes, backpacking trips, car camping and cookouts. Upcoming events are scheduled are posted on the club's website.
Background
Chattanooga Hiking Club is founded on the premise that hiking outings should be scheduled every weekend for people of various skill levels and from all economic and social backgrounds. Volunteer club members lead hikes and overnight trips. The club's website also states that the "organization is concerned with the environment and believes in conservation." The hiking club meets on the first Monday of the even-numbered months at the Outdoor Chattanooga Building.
Levels of Difficulty
The Chattanooga Hiking Club ranks all scheduled hikes so you know what to expect before you go on a trip. Day hikes rated "Easy" are hikes of five miles or less with minimal elevation gain. Moderate hikes are 10 miles or less with some rocky slopes and elevation gain, but no more than 350 feet per mile. Strenuous hikes are any hikes of more than 10 miles with the possibility of hiking on boulders. Almost all backpacking trips are considered strenuous because of the weight of the pack. Extremely Strenuous hikes are excursions of more than 14 miles with steep climbs and total elevation gains of more than 2,000 feet. Rocky terrain, water crossings and other hazards may exist.
Death March hikes are longer than 22 miles to be completed in a single outing.
Participation
The Chattanooga Hiking Club currently has a membership of more than 200 households. You can apply for a membership by printing out an application from the club's website and mailing the application and membership fee to the Chattanooga Hiking Club. As of 2010, the membership fee is $20 per household.
Preparation
Since the club offers day hiking, backpacking and car camping trips, it's important to distinguish what the different trips require. A full list of recommended items for each activity can be found on the club's website.
Popular Chattanooga Hikes
The club meets every weekend, so there are many hikes to choose from every season. Past-season hikes have included trails like Sugarland Mountain, Buzzard Snow Falls, Rock Creek and Ramsey Cascades. Hikes begin from a variety of trailheads and start at different times depending on the level of difficulty. The club also takes part in trail maintenance.
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