March 11- Shake off the winter blues and stretch your legs with Friends of the Smokies' first Classic Hike of the year. Renowned outdoor author and hiking expert, Danny Bernstein, will lead a guided hike to Little Cataloochee. Distance- 6.1 miles on Little Cataloochee Trail. This hike is easy in difficulty with a total elevation gain of 1,100 feet. A $10 donation for Friends members and $35 for non-members is requested to benefit the Trails Forever Fund. 

To register for any 2014 Classic Hike of the Smokies,

contact Brent McDaniel  or call 828-452-0720.

March 12- Deadline to apply for this year's North Carolina Experience Your Smokies Program- Experience Your Smokies (North Carolina) is a unique opportunity to get to know the park and its employees in a whole new way. (The annual program costs $50.00 with funds going towards program administration and materials.) Apply online here through Friends of the Smokies

 

Pair your highly collectible bottle of Sunny Days 2014 with a matching art tile by Robert A. Tino. Both are available only in VERY limited quantities.

 

Friends of the Smokies members receive 10% off purchases; show your card at checkout. Restrictions may apply.

Get ready to hike with Sarah this spring

 

Every Wednesday in April- Get On the Trail with Friends & Missy-Spring 2014 brings another chance to Get On The Trail- Hike with us April 2nd (Quiet Walkway Adventure), 9th (Little River to Cucumber Gap), 16th (White Oak Sinks via Schoolhouse Gap), 23rd (Ramsey Cascades), and 30th (Indian Creek Loop).

Cost for each hike is $20 per person. Complimentary Friends of the Smokies membership with registration of the entire series.

Starting March 1st- Call the Covenant Health Call Center at (865) 541-4500 to register. Contact Sarah Weeks with questions- sarah@friendsofthesmokies.org

April 8- Classic Hike to Newton Bald- Enjoy the Smokies in a riot of spring color on April's Classic Hike to Newton Bald. This hike is 10.5 miles and strenuous in difficulty with a total elevation gain of 2,800 feet. Reward yourself for the climb with beautiful views from Newton Bald and a rainbow of spring wildflowers. This hike features Friends' support of cultural protection projects in the Park and renovations at Mingus Mill. 

 

A $10 donation for Friends members and $35 for non-members is requested to benefit the Trails Forever Fund. 

 

To register for any 2014 Classic Hike of the Smokies, contact Brent McDaniel at outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org or call 828-452-0720.

 

April 15-19- 64th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage- Download the gorgeous brochure for this historic event that features walks, talks, workshops, and entertainment in Gatlinburg, Tennessee and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great for all ages and everyone who love the Smokies. Students sometimes get extra credit at school for participating, and it is a great opportunity for home-schoolers, too. Whether you're vacationing in the Smokies this spring, or are a local who has always wanted to learn more about the Park, this is your chance. It's about more than flowers! Register today

 

What is a Wildflower Pilgrimage?- Video by Great Smoky Mountains Association