2022 NCNPS Spring Outing – Smoky Mts.
Join our 2022 Spring Hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park area
April 29 – May 1
We have an outstanding selection of hikes led by a knowledgeable group of hike leaders. There is something for everyone!
The Kanati Fork Trail zigzags upstream with an elevation gain of 2,100 feet over 2.9 miles. The Thomas Divide Trailhead offers the earliest spring-flowering species as the trail begins at an elevation of 4,700 ft. On Saturday, using shuttles, we will combine the two hikes for a lovely botanical experience. Sunday half-day hikes for these trails will be out and back with no shuttle.
If it is mountain bogs that tickle your fancy, then the Red Spruce bog in the Big Laurel area of the Nantahala National Forest is for you. On this hike, we have a unique opportunity to assist MountainTrue with a region-wide BioBlitz and will be soliciting data contributions via iNaturalist. Participants on the Alarka Hike are invited to collect and share data, which will be curated by MountainTrue, and utilized locally in support of a watershed-level restoration planning effort for Alarka/Big Laurel.
What about waterfalls? Walk the Deep Creek Loop Trails and Waterfalls. Bradley Fork and Chasteen Creek Trails will take you along a scenic stream and patches of rich cove forests with a diversity of wildflowers.
Are you wondering if a day hike in the Smokies is a bit more than you want to tackle? Recent surgery, health concerns, or just want to slow down and enjoy the experience? Join some of our best plants people and botanists for a day of Quiet Walkways and native plant discussions starting at the Collins Creek Pavilion and Quiet Walkway.
Consider purchasing Wildflowers of The Smokies, by lead author Peter White, Great Smoky Mountains Association. This durable, pocket-sized field guide is packed with colorful photographs of the Smokies’ most beautiful wildflowers.
- Friday, April 29: You are on your own until the evening social & plant auction bidding from 6:00-7:30 p.m. Bring a snack to share.
- Saturday, April 30: Hikes are from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Book signing & plant auction 6:00-7:00 p.m. Speaker will be at 7:00 p.m.
- Sunday, May 1: Hikes are shortened versions with fewer miles from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
Meeting Place:
United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Bryson City, NC.
Address: 76 Main Street, Bryson City, NC 28713
Hike and Leader Information:
Register early for your first choice of hikes. For more hiking trail details and hike leader info, please click HERE.
Meals & Lodging:
Participants are responsible for all meals and accommodations.
Sleep Inn Bryson City is holding 20 rooms at a discount rate ($138 + tax/night).
Phone: 828-488-0326
Stonebrook Lodge in Bryson City is holding 10 rooms from $157-$167, depending upon the configuration.
Phone: 828-488-1616
Mention group NC Native Plant Society for the rate. We will carpool as much as possible from the Sleep Inn Bryson City parking lot for Saturday hikes.
Click here for other lodging/accommodations in Bryson City.
Click here for Food & Drink.
Silent Auction:
We will offer a limited number of auction plants and bids can be made Friday and Saturday evening in the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall before programs begin. The auction will close early Saturday evening. Email Lynda Waldrep before April 27 at lyndawaldrep@aol.com if you can donate an unusual, hard-to-find, or specimen plant or if you have any questions about the auction. Do not bring a plant unless you have contacted Lynda. Cash or check is preferred. Proceeds will support the general operations of the NCNPS.
NCNPS Spring Hike Registration is open. Please read before you register.
We will close registration on or before April 10 and will limit it to 90 people or 15 hikers per group. Sign up quickly and sign up online!
The registration fee is per person, regardless of the type of membership. This means that with a family membership two people will pay $30 each, and you will process the registrations separately one person at a time. Non-members must have a separate registration with a $40 registration fee.
You can register online and pay by a credit card, PayPal, or mail in a check. We check the Post Office mailbox once a week, so mailing a check will delay your registration, and if the hike is full, you will be assigned another open hike.
The software we use for you to register does not allow us to limit the number of people, so we will check the hikes every day and will mark “CLOSED” on any hike that reaches the limit. Do not sign up for a hike that is marked “CLOSED.” The software will let you do this, but we will move you to another open hike.
There is a link to the Hike Waiver on the registration. By clicking Agree, you are doing so for yourself and any Guest you are registering. You must click that you Agree before you can add a Guest. This is a required entry.
Register Here
The final weekend agenda and directions will be sent after registration closes. We will follow state recommendations for COVID-19. https://www.nc.gov/covid-19/current-restrictions-recommendations
If you have problems with registration, please contact diane.laslie@gmail.com.