by Julie Dodd
The Friends of the Smokies Classic Hike for May was an 8-mile roundtrip hike to Ramsey Cascades. Expert hiker and outdoor writer Danny Bernstein led the hike on May 8.
Ramsey Cascades is the tallest waterfall in the park, with a 100-foot drop over rock outcroppings.
Hiker Linda Spangler captured photographs of the hike, including Ramsey Cascades and the many kinds of wildflowers along the trail. You can see more of Linda’s photos in the slideshow below and on the Friends of the Smokies Facebook page.
Classic Hikes of the Smokies are held each month from March through December. Individual hikes are $20 for current Friends of the Smokies members and $35 for new and renewing members. Funds go to support the Trails Forever program that restores popular trails in the GSMNP.
June’s Classic Hike is a special two-day event of guided hikes in Cades Cove and social events in Townsend. The event is June 11-12 and includes two guided hikes, lodging at the Tally-Ho Inn in Townsend, a cocktail hour with National Park staff, dinner at Miss Lily’s, and breakfast. The cost is $350 single and $500 couple.
Space is limited. Register online at Hike.Friendsofthesmokies.org, and contact Marielle@friendsofthesmokies.org if you have any questions.
The Classic Hikes of the Smokies series is sponsored by Smoky Mountain Living, Mission Health, Diamond Brand Outdoors, Equilibar, HomeTrust Bank, Smoky Park Supper Club, and Leap Frog Tours.