The new year will start with some nippy weather, but don’t let that discourage you from joining one of the numerous First Day hikes in the area. Reward yourself afterward with warm food and cold beverages. Before that, don’t forget, Saturday, Dec. 29, is the last night of the Holiday Festival of Lights at the Cove. Now, get outside and enjoy yourself.
Friday, Dec. 28
Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove: 6-9 p.m., The Cove at Concord Park. Free. Info: Knox County Parks & Recreation at 865-215-6600. Walk along the illuminated greenway that features a sparkling light display coordinated to music and a number of fire pits. Third Creek Coffee will be onsite each night with hot drinks, including coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider, and holiday snacks, like cookies, cakes and the ingredients for s’mores. Knox County will collect nonperishable food items for The Love Kitchen.
Friday Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Pour Taproom. Free. 865 Running. Run 3 miles downtown, World’s Fair Park and river walk; then enjoy drinks with 10 percent off. All levels welcome.
Saturday, Dec. 29
Bike Zoo Saturday Ride: 9 a.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. 3-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting.
Let’s Take a Walk: 10 a.m., Cove Lake State Park. Cost $3. Info: Cove Lake State Park at 423-566-9701. Join Ranger Roby to take a walk and see what wildlife is moving around the park. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served after the walk. Dress for cold weather walking. Meet at the Recreation Building parking lot.
Holiday Festival of Lights at The Cove: 6-9 p.m., The Cove at Concord Park. Free. Info: Knox County Parks & Recreation at 865-215-6600. Walk along the illuminated greenway that features a sparkling light display coordinated to music and a number of fire pits. Third Creek Coffee will be onsite each night with hot drinks, including coffee, hot chocolate and apple cider, and holiday snacks, like cookies, cakes and the ingredients for s’mores. Knox County will collect nonperishable food items for The Love Kitchen.
Sunday, Dec. 30
Intro to Climbing: 1 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying, and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.
Yoga for Climbers: 7 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost $8. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join us for yoga every Sunday. Participants will receive a 20 percent off PrAna & Lole card.
Monday, Dec. 31
KTC Group Run: 6 p.m., Balter Beerworks. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Monday evening social pace group run; afterward, stick around for a discounted beer.
South Knox Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Alliance Brewing Company. Free. 865 Running. Social pace 3’ish mile run, come back for $1 beers. All levels are welcome.
Bearden Beer Market Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Bearden Beer Market. Free. Info: Bearden Beer Market at 865-851-8922. Group Fun Run through the neighborhood. Open to all levels of walkers and runners followed by $1 off all pints.
Group Run Alcoa/Maryville Greenway: 6:30 p.m., Bike N’Tri in Maryville. Free. Info: Bike N’Tri at 615-944-1729. Group run on the Alcoa/Maryville Greenway. All levels welcome.
First Day Hike 2019 – Norris Dam State Park: 11:45 p.m., Norris Dam State Park. Free. Info: Norris Dam State Park at 865-426-7461. Take a hike with us and have some refreshments provided by my wife, “the First Dam Lady.” Meet at the Tea Room around 11:45 p.m. and then the hike will start just after midnight. Some special treats are in store! Hopefully some snow this year.
Tuesday, Jan. 1
Calhoun’s New Year’s Day 5k Run/Walk: 8:30 a.m., Calhoun’s on the River. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Kids Run starts at 8:30 a.m. and 5k starts at 9 a.m.
First Day Hike 2019 – Panther Creek State Park: 9 a.m., Panther Creek State Park. Free. Info: Panther Creek State Park at 423-587-7046. Join Ranger Mayfield for a ranger-led hike along Point Lookout trail, rated moderately difficult. The 1.9-mile loop offers an amazing view overlooking Cherokee Lake. While on the trail we hope to see many different types of wildlife that are often found around the park. Meet at the first picnic area at the top of the hill as you drive toward the overlook.
First Day Hike 2019 – Cove Lake State Park: 9 a.m., Cove Lake State Park. Free. Info: Cove Lake State Park at 423-566-9701. Join Ranger Rooker for an easy pace 3 mile walk around Cove Lake on the paved trail. Wear appropriate attire as it will most likely be very cold. Meet at the Recreation Building next to the Tennis Courts.
First Day Hike 2019 – Frozen Head State Park: 9 a.m., Frozen Head State Park. Free. Info: Frozen Head State Park at 423-346-3318. Start your year with a hike to the Fire Tower! Join Ranger Brady at Shelter C for a 7-mile round trip hike up Spicewood Trail to the Fire Tower and then down South Old Mac.
New Year’s Day Hike at UT Arboretum: 9:30 a.m., UT Arboretum Auditorium. Free. Info: UT Arboretum at 865-483-3571. Celebrate the New Year with nature! Guided hike open to all ages. No reservations needed.
Hike Seven Islands State Birding Park: 9:30 a.m., Comcast Parking Area. Free. Info: Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Leader: Adele Soucy at fthom4141@aol.com. There is no better way to start 2019 than with a leisurely hike over the rolling hills of Seven Islands. No need to rise early. This is an easy 5-mile hike. Bring the kids! Meet at Comcast, ready to leave at 9:30 a.m. OR at the bluebird barn entrance at 10 a.m.
Tuesday B Group Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. B Group is a “No Drop” ride (15-18 mph) 35-45 miles. Must have general skills to ride roads with car traffic. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.
The Mail Run: 10 a.m., Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area – Bandy Creek Visitor Center. Free. Info: Big South Fork NRRA at 423-286-7275. All mountain bikers are invited to ride our annual “The Mail Run” – a choice of rides varying anywhere from 8-35 miles. Bikers can pick the group ride of a length they are most comfortable with. Hot chocolate and coffee available at Visitor Center before the rides start.
New Year’s Day Hike: Spruce Flats Falls: 10 a.m., Little River Trading Company. Free. Info: Little River Trading Co. at 865-681-4141. Hike is 2 miles round trip and rated moderate. Spruce Flats Falls is a beautiful waterfall located near the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. RSVP Required – email Trip Leader Dolphin Riggs at Dolphin@littlerivertradingco.com
Tuesday A Group Ride: 10:30 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. A Group rides 40+ miles at 20+ average pace. This group is for advanced riders with good pace line skills. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.
First Day Hike 2019 – Seven Islands SBP: 1 p.m., Seven Islands State Birding Park. Free. Info: Seven Islands State Birding Park at 715-630-6848. Swap your party clothes for some warm layers and join us for a New Year’s Day celebration hike. The route is approximately 2.5 miles. The terrain will be mostly level to gently sloping. All ages are welcome! Register online so we’ll know how many to expect.
First Day Hike 2019 – Ft Loudoun State Park: 1 p.m., Fort Loudoun State Historic Park. Free. Info: Fort Loudoun State Historic Park at 423-420-2331. Meet your friendly park ranger to hike Ridgetop Trail. Along the way look for signs of wildlife and greenery. Ridgetop Trail is 1.5 miles long and rated easy to moderate. Please bring water and be prepared for cold weather.
First Day Hike 2019 – Big Ridge State Park: 9 a.m., Big Ridge State Park. Free. Info: Big Ridge State Park at 865-992-5523. This is an approximately 4-mile hike that showcases the ridge and valley type terrain East TN is known for as well as beautiful views of Norris Lake. We will hike rain or shine. Meet at the Park Office.
New Year’s Day Hike at Ijams: 2 p.m., Ijams Nature Center. Cost $5.00. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717. (Ages 18 and up) Join Ijams Hiking Club volunteer Amy Oakey for a mind-clearing walk up Burnett Ridge in the South Knox Urban Wilderness. This is a great way to start your year, and a perfect time to learn more about the Ijams Hiking Club. Register online.
Wednesday, Jan. 2
Hike Chestnut Top to Picnic Table and Back: 8 a.m., Alcoa Food City. Free. Info: Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Leader: Thomas J. Welch at coast5588@yahoo.com. Hike 9 miles. Meet at Alcoa Food City at 8 a.m. OR the ‘Wye’ at 8:30 a.m.
KTC Group Run: 5:30 p.m., Runners Market Bearden. Free. Info: Knoxville Track Club. Wednesday evening social pace group run. All paces welcome. Distance options vary. Grab a beer with some good folks afterward.
Night Gravel Grinder Ride: 6:30 p.m., North Boundary Trails. Free. Info: Knoxville Bicycle Company at 865-240-3499. Very casual pace about 11 miles, just for fun! Night Gravel Grinder ride: Bring your Cross, Gravel or MTB. Two levels of riding “A” and “B”. Bring lights. Regroups as necessary.
KTOS Monthly Meeting – Show and Tell Photo Sharing: 6:45 p.m., UT College of Veterinary Medicine Room 118. Free. Info: Knoxville Chapter Tennessee Ornithological Society. This is our chance to bird around the world with some of our members. Several members will show pictures they have taken over the past 12 months. If you are interested in showing the club some of your pictures and have not signed up, please contact Bill Keeler at whkeelerjr1@gmail.com. All visitors are welcome.
Thursday, Jan. 3
Tuesday A & B Group Ride: 10 a.m., Cycology Bicycles. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. A Group ride is usually a 40+ miles at 20+ average pace. This group is for advanced riders with good pace line skills. B Group ride is a “No Drop” ride (15-18 mph) 35-45 miles. Must have general skills to ride roads with car traffic. If weather is questionable, call shop to confirm.
North Knox Beer Runners: 6 p.m., Central Flats and Taps. Free. Info: North Knox Beer Runners. Fun and easy run through North Knox and Happy Holler. Don’t forget lights and reflective gear.
Fleet Feet Sports Open Group Run/Walk: 6 p.m., Fleet Feet Sports. Free. Info: Fleet Feet Sports at 865-675-3338. Our 30-60-minute route varies week by week in the various neighborhoods and greenways around the store. All levels welcome.
Night Trail Ride: 6 p.m., Check Facebook for meeting location. Free. Info: Cycology Bicycles at 865-681-4183. Social pace ride on Beginner Plus/Intermediate cross-country terrain with roots, rocks, and challenging climbs. Ride subject to cancellation or change in location due to wet trail conditions. Must have lights.
Friday, Jan. 4
First Friday Chimney Tops Hike: 8 a.m., Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Info: Great Smoky Mountains Association at 865-436-7318 x349. Join us and get your heart pumping on a fast-paced walk up the Chimney Tops trail. After the first mile, the challenge really begins as we travel up a stone stairway beautifully crafted by the Trails Forever crew. When the trail levels off, we will be just a few yards from the breathtaking view that makes the hard work worth it. Activity rating: Strenuous. Mileage: 4 miles maximum with breaks along the way. Register online.
Friday Fitness with Missy Kane: 9:15 a.m., Cumberland Trail Black Mountain to Brady Mountain – Meet at Liberty Market. Free. Info: Covenant Health at 865-541-4500. Join Missy on the first Friday of each month for a 3- to 7-mile hike (various trail locations), moderate but not beginner. Register by calling Covenant Call Center at 865-541-4500 or emailing callcenter@covhlth.com.
Friday Fun Run: 6:30 p.m., Pour Taproom. Free. Info: 865 Running. Run 3 miles downtown, World’s Fair Park and river walk; then enjoy drinks with 10 percent off. All levels welcome.
Saturday, Jan. 5
Winter LeConte Hike via Rainbow Falls and Trillium Gap: 6 a.m., GSMNP. Free. Info: KyBRa Athletics at 865-999-3126. Join us in a winter wonderland as we hike up to LeConte on the rainbow falls trail, and come back down via Trillium Gap. This is a strenuous hike, and because of the nature of mountain weather in the winter, we recommend you be in good shape for this trip. Details on our Facebook page.
Saturday Group Run: 8 a.m., Runners Market Bearden. Free. Info: Runner’s Market at 865-588-1650. Join us for a relaxed-pace run of 3 to 5.5 miles along the Third Creek and Sequoyah Hills Greenways. Afterward, enjoy coffee and refreshments.
Bike Zoo Saturday Ride: 9 a.m., Bike Zoo. Free. Info: Bike Zoo at 865-558-8455. 3-hour ride of 50+ miles at a fast pace of 18/20 mph. Weather permitting!
Newcomer’s Hike: Schoolhouse Gap/ Chestnut Top: 9 a.m., Alcoa Food City. Free. Info: Smoky Mountain Hiking Club. Leader: David Smith at dcshiker@bellsouth.net. After a short shuttle we’ll start at Schoolhouse Gap parking area for a pleasant winter hike. Although the hike is rolling the last three miles are mostly downhill. Distance is 6.7 miles, rated moderate.
Catalyst Climb: 10 a.m., River Sports Outfitters. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. The first Saturday of every month we are climbing with Catalyst Sports! This event is for anyone with physical disabilities. All ages are welcome to come and climb our rock wall.
Coffee and Climb with a Ranger: 10 a.m., Obed Wild & Scenic River. Free. Info: Obed Wild & Scenic River at 423-346-6294. Join National Park Service rangers for a free cup of coffee and Q&A about climbing. Then we’ll head over to climbing area. We provide all of the gear. All that you need to bring is drinking water, sturdy footwear. Details online.
Guided Trail Walk: 10:30 a.m., Ijams Nature Center. Info: Ijams Nature Center at 865-577-4717, ext. 110. Each walk is guided by a naturalist who can answer your questions about what you are seeing, ongoing projects, future programs and more. This is a free program with a recommended $5 donation. No registration necessary.
Sunday, Jan. 6
Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder Course – Jan. 6-13: 8 a.m., Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont. Info: Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont at 865-448-6709. The Wilderness Emergency Medical Responder Course is ideal for scout leaders, camp counselors, traveling missionaries and any other youth or outdoor worker. It not only offers hands-on training for dealing with bites, burns and other injuries, but also teaches participants how to manage conditions brought about from extreme temperatures and other outdoor emergencies. Details and registration online.
Intro to Climbing: 1 p.m., Onsight Rock Gym. Info: Onsight Rock Gym at 865-888-9123. Learn the basics of top rope belaying, knot tying, and climbing technique in this hands-on class. Designed for those with no previous climbing experience, this course teaches the necessary skills required to climb independently.
Yoga for Climbers: 7 p.m., River Sports Outfitters. Cost $8. Info: River Sports Outfitters at 865-523-0066. Join us for yoga every Sunday. Participants will receive a 20 percent off PrAna & Lole card.
Visit us online at OutdoorKnoxville.com
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