Some Villagers bond through games and parties, but at least one group hits the trails of East Tennessee.

Members of the Muddy Boots Hiking Group, which is sponsored by New Villagers, are looking forward to what area dirt trails promise for the new year. The casual hiking group is open to all Villagers and focuses on easy to moderate hikes across the region.

The hikes are held the second Monday of the month. In the event of poor weather, the date is moved to third Monday.


“This is a nice group that is social and intended for beginners as well as experienced hikers,” Larry Gardner, a 2023 coordinator, said. “It’s a great way to meet new people and to see some people that we’ve met in other places in the Village.”

Jan Jacobson, who was a coordinator with Maureen Hryniszak and Patti Morris in 2022, helped pick the year’s 12 hikes and worked with trip leaders. Hikes included trips to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pioneer Loop in te Cumberland Mountain State Park near Crossville and more.

“We had really great turnout for all of (the hikes),” Jacobson said. “We get anywhere from 20 to 40 average that come on these hikes each month. It’s a popular thing for people around the Village to participate in, and I think a lot of it is because they’re easy to moderate hikes, and they’re five miles or less. They’re manageable for people, especially beginner hikers.

“It gives them an opportunity to explore some hikes in the area that they wouldn’t necessarily know about because most all of us are new to Tellico Village for the most part, but we do have some hikers that have lived here for a long time as well,” she added.

Middle Prong Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park is always a favorite and tends to make the list every year. Jacobson said the second favorite is Abrams Falls, which is also located in the park.

Jacobson said the group keeps a manual to track hikes each year. She said a lot of factors are considered when picking locations such as difficulty, elevation, driving distance and time of year. The manual is passed along to coordinators and is a good reference for the coming year.

A longtime hiker, Jacobson said she enjoys the exercise and being outside. Muddy Boots also offers a social element.

A favorite part of being in the group “for me personally is meeting new people that enjoy hiking and building relationships with them in hopes that we can take hikes outside of Muddy Boots hikes just on our own,” Jacobson said. “I think it’s the relationship building part of it and, of course, the exercise. Hiking is great exercise and just getting outdoors and enjoying God’s creation.”

Larry and Susan Gardner are coordinators for 2023. The pair has been part of the group for two years and have hiked trails in advance to make sure details, such as directions, are correct.

“We got asked if we would like to volunteer for doing a pre-hike, which we immediately said, ‘sure’ because we do like to hike,” Susan said. “Then they needed someone to coordinate for next year. So we said we would do that, too.”

The group will have one hike each month in 2023, and Larry said this year’s list is “pretty well” complete. Some of the possible hikes on the draft calendar include John Muir National Recreation Trail in the Cherokee National Forest, Big Ridge State Park and segments of the East Lakeshore National Recreation Trail.

He said the group considered previous hikes and shared information on file with trip leaders to learn if information remains accurate.

Larry said they keep hikes between three and five miles and try to pick excursions with minimal elevation gain. Hikes also tend to be no more than a hour away.

The goal is every other year to feature new hikes since members of New Villagers can remain in the club for two years.

“The Indian Boundary is one that we’re kind of excited,” Larry said. “It’s in July so it’s hot. … It’s a hike around a lake and we’re planning on bringing water equipment, kayaks, paddle boards and whatnot and after a short three-mile hike around the lake and then come back, have a picnic lunch and do some swimming and water sports.”

Residents who move to the area because of recreational activities get a solid introduction to East Tennessee through the club, Larry said. Hikes are planned for a pace that allows constant conversation.

“I think hiking with the Muddy Boots it’s getting to hike out in nature and chat with other people at the same time,” Susan said.

For more information, visit online at https://www.tellicolife.org/ muddy-boots-hiking-group.