MountainTrue marks 40 years with hiking challenge

Hike 40 miles this summer and help MountainTrue celebrate its 40th birthday. 

Hikers collect pledges from friends and family for each mile hiked through the end of September. Participants of all experience levels can sign up to hike or sponsor a hiker. Funds raised will go toward MountainTrue’s mission of championing resilient forests, clean water and healthy communities in the Southern Appalachians. 

For more information or to sign up, visit mountaintrue.org/40-years-40-miles-hike-a-thon.

Hike the Smokies’ classics

It’s time to register for the 2022 Classic Hikes of the Smokies series, with guided excursions to some of the best trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offered on the second Tuesday of each month, March through December. 

Hikes are $20 for current Friends of the Smokies members, $35 for new and renewing members with a one-year membership included, or $160 to register for the whole series. That price does not include the overnight trip in May. 

This year’s schedule is:

• Aug. 9, moderate 8.5-mile out-and-back hike on the Cataloochee Divide to Hemphill Bald, taking in views, a historic log home and the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center. 

• Sept. 13, moderate 7.8-mile loop hike at Twenty Mile, a forest walk with plenty of wildflowers. 

• Oct. 11, easy 4-mile out-and-back forest walk to the Walker Sisters Home, a Forever Places project. 

• Nov. 8, difficult 9.4-mile nature walk on the Lakeshore Loop, featuring old home sites. 

• Dec. 13, easy 3.9-mile forest walk on the Kephart Prong Trail, including a visit to an historic Civilian Conservation Corps camp and a holiday celebration. 

Register at friendsofthesmokies.org. Space limited.