Press release from Friends of the Smokies:
Join Friends of the Smokies for a Classic Hike to Grotto Falls on Trillium Gap Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) on Tuesday, December 6th. The guided hike is led by outdoor enthusiast and author Danny Bernstein.
Hikers will trek seven miles and ascend 1,000 feet through an old growth hemlock forest to a scenic waterfall. Grotto Falls is famously the only waterfall in the national park where hikers can walk “behnd” the falls. The hike offers the opportunity to work towards the ‘Hike 100’ challenge, which encourages visitors to hike 100 miles in GSMNP in celebration of the National Park Service Centennial.
Hiking with Friends of the Smokies staff, participants will learn how donations made to the organization help fund a variety of park needs to improve the visitor experience. National park visitation is increasing across the country, and with 10.7 million visitors in 2015, the Smokies continues to be the most-visited national park in America. The rise in visitor numbers means a greater impact on hiking trails and basic amenities, like bathrooms. As one of the park’s principal partners, Friends of the Smokies plays an essential role in preserving a positive visitor experience so that current and future generations can continue to enjoy the natural and cultural treasures of our public lands.
Meeting locations for the daylong excursion will be in Asheville, Waynesville, and at the trailhead.
Monthly guided day hikes in the Classic Hikes series are $20 for members. New and renewing members may join Friends of the Smokies and hike for $35. Donations benefit Friends of the Smokies Trails Forever program, which supports trail rehabilitation in GSMNP.
Visit Hike.FriendsoftheSmokies.org to register for any Classic Hike of the Smokies.
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