Glenn Cardwell - A true Smoky Mountain Man

Born in 1930 in what today is Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Roy Glenn Cardwell learned the ways of the woods from his mother and his own study. He went on to become a park ranger in the Smokies, a position he held for 34 years. 

Join this wintertime adventure, to learn more about Glenn, the wild areas he studied and the deep history of the Greenbrier area.

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We will begin our day with a 45-minute visit to the Glenn Cardwell Heritage Museum to view artifacts, books, photographs and enjoy local stories about the small border town of Pittman Center, Tennessee, where the town motto is "A community dedicated to preserving our mountain heritage."

After our museum visit, we'll take a short car ride into the Greenbrier section of the Smokies for the second phase of our experience. We'll hike along a scenic path lined with several small cascades called "Injun" or "Engine Creek" and ultimately arrive on the banks of Glenn’s birthplace and home until it became the park. After we make it to the junction of Grapeyard Ridge Trail and Backcountry Campsite 32, we’ll take a few minutes to observe and discuss the presence of an old portable steam engine in the bed of the creek. As we make our return trip to the Greenbrier Ranger Station, we'll stop at Injun Creek backcountry campsite 32 for a discussion on camping regulations and ethics.

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Glenn (pictured left with our guide, Butch McDade) spent his entire 34 years as a ranger, teaching and mentoring generations of park rangers who came through the park on assignments. He knew the cultural history of the pre-park mountaineers and assisted hundreds of park visitors in finding cemeteries and homesites of their ancestors over the years. He also assisted in identifying the final resting places of several unmarked graves, including his important work in helping to solve the 60-year-old mystery of young Edd McKinley, a boy who was buried in an unmarked grave in the Burton Ogle/Old Sugarlands cemetery. 

Glenn went on to write books on Greenbrier and Pittman Center and was honored by Great Smoky Mountains Association as one of the 100 most influential people in the history of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Read more about Glenn and the other Top 100 People of the Smokies in GSMA's award winning Smokies Life Magazine Volume 10 #1.

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Activity Rating: Moderate. Expect to walk on uneven surfaces for the majority of the adventure.

Mileage: 3 - 5 miles maximum. We will take breaks along the way.

What to bring: In addition to the general items you pack for a winter hike in the Smokies, be sure to bring plenty of water, an appropriate amount of food for your comfort, sturdy trail shoes and something to take notes with. We also recommend you dress in thermal layers and all-weather gear including hats, gloves and extra socks in case your feet get wet. A personal first-aid kit and hiking sticks may be helpful as well.

Know Before You Go: Great Smoky Mountains Association events travel rain or shine. Follow Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service policies for weather conditions. Keep in mind that many of our events are often several hours from telephone or emergency service. Cancellations due to road closures and inclement weather can often happen at the last minute. GSMA will notify you via email of any known issues that may affect the scheduled event. Familiarize yourself with the meeting location prior to the event. GPS navigation may not be reliable.

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2019 is alomst here. Order your GSMA annual calendar before we sell out!

Enjoy the beauty of the Smokies year-round with Great Smoky Mountains National Park Calendar 2019. This striking wall calendar features the photography of Joye Arden-Durham, Don McGowan and George Humphries.

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Your enjoyment of these programs supports the Smokies. Participation fees are essential for GSMA to secure knowledgeable guides to help strengthen your knowledge and appreciation of the Smokies.

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Bigfoot's been doing it for years!