- 18th Annual Long Hunter Mega-Hike at Long Hunter State ParkLong Hunter State Park, Hermitage, TE
* If you wish to attend the Mega-Hike, you can go ahead and RSVP here on the Meetup page, but YOU MUST ALSO sign up on the park's event page at https://tnstateparks.com/parks/event_details/long-hunter/#/?event=friends-of-long-hunter-sp-mega-hike-2024
(FYI, I'm posting this hike here to give Meetup members first dibs, but due to parking and other considerations the event is limited to the first 40 who sign up on the park event page. Once full, the park event page will say "Sold Out" and will no longer accept new sign-ups.)
It's that time of year again: The 18th Annual Long Hunter Mega-Hike is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 12th at Long Hunter State Park. As always, the plan is to hike all of the park's trails -- about 26 miles -- in a single day. And who knows, there may even be a spooktacular surprise or two!
This free event is sponsored by the Friends of Long Hunter State Park.
Participants should meet at the Couchville Lake parking lot at 6:45 a.m. and be prepared to hit the trails at 7 a.m. sharp. The plan is to complete the hike by sunset, but there's always a chance we could still be out on the trails after dark. So participants might want to bring a light source.
If you're unable to hike all 26 miles (or just aren't interested in hiking that many miles), no worries -- you can stop whenever you want. Some people hike only a mile or two with us. The main objective is to have fun while enjoying the fall colors and variety of habitats that Long Hunter has to offer -- whether you hike just two miles or all 26.
Different segments of the hike will be led by various members of the Friends of Long Hunter State Park. Those who complete the hike will receive a frameable certificate of merit. There's also a possibility of getting your photo in a newspaper and/or online. One year The Tennessean newspaper showed up for the event, and the following day there was a nice story about the mega-hike and a photo gallery.
Just remember to bring lunch and snacks and plenty of water -- and perhaps extra socks and clothes.
Since Long Hunter's trails are spread out and many of them do not intersect, participants will return to their cars several times in order to drive to different areas of the park. In other words you won't need to carry a heavy backpack around with you; you can leave extra food and clothes in your vehicle and get them later if you wish. You'll also have access to park restrooms at a couple of different locations.
As for the weather, the hike will take place regardless of the temperature. However, if it's raining or if the weather looks threatening, the event might be postponed since attempting to hike 26 miles in the rain might prove to be difficult -- and probably not much fun.
The plan is to hike the trails in the same order as recent years: Couchville Lake Arboretum Trail, Nature Loop, Inland Trail, Bluff Trail, Deer Trail, Group Camp Trail, Day Loop, Volunteer Trail, Couchville Glade Trail, Jones Mill Trail, Point Trail, Bryant-Grove Trail. The order is subject to change, but the hike will always start at Couchville Lake.
No pets, please. Kids are welcome.
Since this hike is being organized, led and sponsored by the non-profit Friends of Long Hunter State Park group, donations are welcome. Many of the park's hikes and events are organized by Friends of Long Hunter volunteers. Also, many supplies for the park's educational programs are also purchased by the Friends group. To donate to the group or become a member, please go to http://www.friendsoflonghunter.com/membership.html
For more information, contact park office at 615-885-2422 or message one of the hike leaders. You can also keep up with the latest news on the Friends of Long Hunter Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/longhunterstatepark
See complete Mega-Hike info at https://tn-nature.blogspot.com/2024/07/18th-annual-long-hunter-mega-hike-set.html
A recent article about the Long Hunter Mega-Hike: https://digital.tnconservationist.org/publication/?i=671267&article_id=3748440
Directions to Couchville Lake parking lot:
Enter Long Hunter State Park at the main park entrance (2910 Hobson Pike) and then take the first left and proceed to the parking lot beside Couchville Lake. - Patagonia March 2025Needs location
PLEASE READ ALL THE INFORMATION
AS OF NOW WE HAVE ONE SPOT OPEN FOR A LADY HIKER. IF INTERESED JOIN THE WAITLIST AND I WILL CONTACT YOU. The cost will be around $3600.00 While on the W you will be staying in tents. You will have a roommate. There is also an extension after the trip to Iguazu Falls if you would like to go there.
Let's go to Patagonia in March in this trip we will go to Torres del Paine is the crown jewel of Patagonia, and the W is the most iconic thru-hike.
Also we will go to, Los Glaciares National Park is the hiking hub of Argentine Patagonia.
Link to the trip.
https://ap.swoop-patagonia.com/quote_itin/LRdNdxjC7TMBkRTF61JW9Hc6VfRK49Zz/60679?sp=1
If you want to go on the trip. I will need to send Sydney your information and she will contact you directly. To get your 25% deposit.
We only have 12 spots reserved and only until September 20. So we will need to move on this fairly quickly.
If we get more the 12 people Sydney will have to see if there are any additional spots are available. I know more then 12 have expressed interest in this trip. So I will send Sydney your information as I get the ok from you.
You will be on the waiting list until I get confirmation that your deposit has been paid. Then I will move you to going.
The following is from Sydney our booking agent
Please note a few key points, followed by the next steps below:
Click here to view the itinerary
- The current pricing is for a group of 8-10 people, in double occupancy for all hotel stays (and in dormitory style rooms at the refugios) & a private guided W Trek. As discussed, if you have more than 10 people, the pricing for the entire group will go down; if you have fewer than 8 people, the pricing for the entire group will go up. We can arrange for single occupancy stays, but there will be a single supplement.
- I currently have complimentary holds for 12 people. Any additional people who'd like to join are welcome, but it will be subject to availability so please let me know ASAP if I should try to procure more spaces. We have all holds for 3 weeks, until September 20. All deposits must be in by then.
- The itinerary includes all services as detailed in the itinerary between pick up in Puerto Natales to drop off in El Calafate. I haven't included any services in either Santiago or Buenos Aires, but we can help anyone with transfers or hotels here if guests would like, or I can simply provide recommendations for hotels, neighborhoods, etc. for you all to book them yourselves (I suspect certain people will want to stay longer, etc).
- No flights are included in the pricing. You will need 2 internal flights: SCL-PNT & FTE-AEP. If you are comfortable booking these yourselves, I will advise on which ones to book to best coordinate with the itinerary. Alternatively, if you prefer more support, then we can facilitate that with Swoop's flight specialist (they can book international flights as well).
- For the Original W Trek, all travelers will be responsible for their own personal belongings for the 4 nights out on the trail. All bedding and food is provided, so there is no need to carry any gear, only personal items. If anyone would instead like a private porter to carry their belongings, porters can be hired for an additional fee of USD $720 for the 4 days; the porter can carry up to 15kg, which typically is enough for 2-3 people's belongings. You can of course also leave surplus luggage at the hotel in Puerto Natales.
Next Steps
- Please share this with your group and provide me with the names and email addresses of all members who would like to confirm, noting who would like to pay together.
I will then reach out to each person/group individually with their own (identical) itinerary and separate payment link to complete their deposit. For the time being, we will be confirming the trip at the 8-10 person rate; if more people join, then we will reduce the final balances of the entire group accordingly and I'll be sure to notify everyone.
- Once all deposits are in, I will confirm the services. Your final balances will be due 80 days prior to your trip start date. During this time, you'll remain in the care of the Swoop team, who will be on hand preparing you for your trip and ensuring its smooth running on the ground in country. All you need to do is show up and enjoy this epic hiking destination together!