Please join us for a weekend of fun at the Cades Cove Campground this coming weekend, August 2-4. So far, we have 11 families camping in Section C of the campground. Since the WPC Campers are going to be at the Cades Cove Campground ,we thought it might be nice to coordinate three levels of hikes in conjunction with their campground location. Folks can hike the distance they feel comfortable and then head back to the picnic area or campground for R&R. Here’s the plan. If you are not camping meet at WPC Saturday morning prepared to leave at 7:00 a.m. We will caravan to Cades Cove Campground and meet the campers at the back of the picnic area near the Anthony Creek Trailhead around 8:45- 9:00. Using the Anthony Creek Trail you will be able to pick one of three hikes:

1. From the AC trailhead to the junction of Russell Field Trail would be about 1.6 miles (for a total hike of 3.2 miles) and about 500′ of elevation gain for those wanting the shortest distance.

2. From the AC trailhead to the junction of the Bote Mountain Trail would be about 3.5 miles (for a total hike of 7.0 miles) and about 2,000′ of elevation gain. This is a medium distance and moderately strenuous with the elevation gain.

3. From the AC trailhead to the Bote Mountain Trail, the Appalachian Trail and finally Spence Field would be almost 6.0 miles (for a total hike of about 12.0 miles) with an elevation gain of about 3,000′ for the heartiest group. This is a strenuous hike with the reward of one of the best views in the park at Spence Field.

Pack a lunch and plenty of water. If you plan to do the longer hikes you might pack a sports drink for each two containers of water. You could expect a late afternoon return to Knoxville for all hikes with the Spence Field hikers returning to WPC perhaps after 6:00 p.m.