Celebrate the arrival of spring with this moderate 6.8 mile out-and-back hike into the Green River Gorge. Guided by expert ecologist and MountainTrue Public Lands Director Bob Gale, we will search out the season’s first ephemeral wildflowers such as trillium, bloodroot, and toothwort. Because the Game Lands lie at a lower elevation, they have milder temperatures, giving us the chance to be among the first to see early spring vegetation and wildflowers. Our path will follow the Green River and offer continuous views of its quiet stretches and splendid rapids. The trail will lead us through a healthy eastern hemlock grove, past many dying hemlocks, and alongside several trees in stages of recovery. As we pass these hemlocks, we will learn about the ongoing threat of the hemlock wooly adelgid in our mountains. Finally, we will hike up to a rock outcrop and enjoy a view of kayakers as they tackle the legendary rapids of the Narrows below.

Join us for a lovely 5.5-mile hike along the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Rattlesnake Lodge. Our Public Lands Ecologist, Bob Gale will lead this hike and share with us his extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna of the region. This trail boasts more than thirty varieties of flowers, including dwarf larkspur, Jack-in-the-pulpit, and blue cohosh to name a few. This time of year is prime for spotting these wildflowers, as well as seeing, or hearing, a number of warblers, vireos, and other birds that have returned from their winter in Central and South America. This hike will take us past the ruins of Rattlesnake lodge: a summer home built in 1903 for Dr. Chase P. Ambler. The hike is moderate, and we will take frequent stops to investigate any birds, wildflowers or other items of interest that we find along the way!

Join MountainTrue and a guide from the Museum of the Cherokee Indian on a hike that highlights Cherokee History, stories and medicinal knowledge.

Join MountainTrue's Ecologist and Public Lands Director, Bob Gale, for a gorgeous and educational hike through Pisgah National Forest. This hike offers breaktaking views of the fall foliage, and if we are lucky, we will catch glimpses of the Monarch Butterfly migration. We will be hiking the Pilot Cove Loop Trail in Pisgah, which is approximately 4 miles long. The trail starts in a lesser known part of Pisgah National Forest and winds upward amongst the brightly colored sourwood and black gum trees. After opening up onto a beautiful rocky outcrop, the trails travels through recently logged forested as well as much older sections of forest. There are some steep inclines on this trail, but Bob will be making frequent stops to rest and interpret the flora and fauna.