by Julie Dodd
Hikers can add 10 miles toward the Hike 100 Challenge by joining the Friends of the Smokies Classic Hike at Noland Creek in Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Bryson City on Tuesday, Nov, 1.
The guided hike is led by master hiker and author Danny Bernstein.
Hike participants will learn how donations made to Friends of the Smokies help fund wildlife management projects. These projects enable the park to monitor and sustain healthy wildlife populations by tracking habitat use and removing invasive species. Wildlife management programs also promote public safety by providing traffic control for “wildlife jams” and reducing backcountry bear encounters.
Meeting locations for the daylong excursion will be in Asheville, Waynesville and at the trailhead.
Hikers added 8.9 miles and viewed fall leaves on the Oct. 11 Classic Hike to Andrews Bald, Double Spring Gap on the Appalachian Trail and Clingmans Dome. The Sept. 27 Classic Hike of Deep Creek Loop added 13.4 miles.
Those who have hiked all nine Classic Hikes of 2016 have logged 85.7 miles. The hike at Noland Creek and the December Classic Hike to Grotto Falls on Dec. 6 will enable the hikers to reach the Hike 100 Challenge.
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’ Smokies Trails Forever program which supports trail rehabilitation in GSMNP.
Visit Hike.FriendsoftheSmokies.org to register for any Classic Hike of the Smokies.
Thanks to Linda Spangler for her photos from the Oct. 11 hike. The banner photo is the group at Andrews Bald.