2015 Classic Hikes of the Smokies Schedule

Friends of the Smokies has recently published their schedule for the 2015 Classic Hike of the Smokies. This year's installment of guided hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park will feature interpretation and leadership by author and hiking expert, Danny Bernstein. Each hike highlights an achievement or cause Friends of the Smokies has supported in the Park. The following is the schedule for all hikes this year, which occur on the 2nd Tuesday of each month:



March 10: Smokemont Loop

6.2 miles, 1,400 ft ascent, moderate

Features: Historic chapel and cemetery

Highlight: Public Safety Treatment of Ash Trees

April 14: Caldwell Fork

9.4 miles, 1,650 ft ascent, moderate

Features: Union graves, Woody house and wildflowers

Highlight: Artist in Residence Program



May 12: Lake Shore Trail

9.4 miles, 1,370 ft ascent, moderate

Features: Tunnel and history

Highlight: Equestrian Leave No Trace Training Program



June 9: Hemphill Bald

8.8 miles, 1,900 ft ascent, moderate

Features: Masonic marker and flowers

Highlight: Feral Hog Control



July 20-21: Overnight at Mount Le Conte

Boulevard Trail : 8 miles, moderate

Trillium Gap Trail : 6.5 miles, moderate

Features: LeConte Lodge, waterfalls, sunrise, park program, Spruce-fir forest and Balsam wooly adelgid

Highlight: Reduce Backcountry Bear Problems



August 11: Big Creek

Moderate hike: 10 miles, 1,100 ft ascent

Easy hike: 4 miles, 600 ft ascent

Features: Swimming hole and waterfalls

Highlight: Suppress Hemlock Woolly Adelgid



September 8: Boogerman Loop

7.2 miles, 1,600 ft ascent, moderate

Features: Stone walls, creeks and elk

Highlight: Elk Bugle Corps and SCA Interns



October 13: Purchase Knob

7.5 miles, 1,500 ft ascent, moderate

Features: Science Learning Center and ridgeline views

Highlight: Parks as Classrooms



November 10: Chimney Tops and Elkmont

4 miles, 1,300 ft ascent, moderate

Features: Trails Forever project, views and history

Highlight: Trails Forever Program



December 8: Noland Creek

4 miles, 800 ft ascent, easy

Features: Historic home sites, Bryson City

Visitor Center and Museum

Highlight: Water Quality Monitoring Program



To register for any 2015 Classic Hike of the Smokies, contact AnnaLee@FriendsOfTheSmokies.org or 828-452-0720. To support the Smokies Trails Forever program, a donation of $10 for members and $35 for non-members is requested. Non-members receive a complimentary 1-year membership to Friends of the Smokies on their first hike. Members who bring a friend hike for free.







Jeff

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