Wildflower blaze expected on Highlands hike

A wildflower hike will step off from the Jones Gap parking area near Highlands at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4. Sponsored by the North Carolina Bartram Trail Society, the hike will be led by botanist and former Western Carolina University professor Dan Pittillo. Later trilliums and flaming “yellow-to-orange-to-red” azaleas are expected to make a showing. The route will go from Jones Gap to Whiterock Gap, returning to the parking area at 6 p.m. 828.787.2091

Smokies hike offers venture to Ramsey Cascades

A strenuous hike up to Ramsey Cascades, the tallest waterfall in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, will be the next installment in Friends of the Smokies’ Classic Hikes of the Smokies. Hiking guide and author Danny Bernstein will lead the hike on Tuesday, May 13.

The strenuous 8-mile hike in the park’s Greenbrier area has a total elevation gain of 2,200 feet, passing through coves of old-growth hardwood before arriving at the 100-foot waterfall. 

Participants can carpool from Asheville or Waynesville, or meet at the trailhead. Register at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or 828.452.0720. $10 for Friends of the Smokies members; $35 for nonmembers, with complimentary one-year membership; free to members who bring a friend.