WNC Sierra Club 5/6: Hiking Lesser-Known Gem Trails in WNC
Trail talk on Western North Carolina’s lesser known hiking gems, with tips on finding quieter recreation spots and the benefits of spreading out outdoor use. Presented by Carolina Mountain Club and Sierra Club outings leaders, in person and on Zoom.
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A high-elevation out-and-back hike from the Flat Laurel Creek trailhead on Hwy 215, climbing past two waterfalls to Sam’s Knob (6,050 ft) for sweeping 360-degree mountain and valley views. Led by WNC Sierra Club with a roadless area conservation angle.
A high-elevation out-and-back hike from the Flat Laurel Creek trailhead on Hwy 215, climbing past two waterfalls to Sam’s Knob (6,050 ft) for sweeping 360-degree mountain and valley views. Led by WNC Sierra Club with a roadless area conservation angle.
A high-elevation out-and-back hike from the Flat Laurel Creek trailhead on Hwy 215, climbing past two waterfalls to Sam’s Knob (6,050 ft) for sweeping 360-degree mountain and valley views. Led by WNC Sierra Club with a roadless area conservation angle.
Guided neighborhood foraging walks identifying spring wild edibles—greens, mushrooms, and berries—emphasizing sustainable harvesting, plant ID, and seasonal recipes. Casual outdoor stroll welcoming beginners and curious eaters.
Guided neighborhood foraging walks identifying spring wild edibles—greens, mushrooms, and berries—emphasizing sustainable harvesting, plant ID, and seasonal recipes. Casual outdoor stroll welcoming beginners and curious eaters.
Guided neighborhood foraging walks identifying spring wild edibles—greens, mushrooms, and berries—emphasizing sustainable harvesting, plant ID, and seasonal recipes. Casual outdoor stroll welcoming beginners and curious eaters.
Group hike along shaded forest trails to Catawba Falls, passing moss covered rocks and cascading waterfall viewpoints; meet at 70 College Street for a relaxed, community paced daytime walk.
Group hike along shaded forest trails to Catawba Falls, passing moss covered rocks and cascading waterfall viewpoints; meet at 70 College Street for a relaxed, community paced daytime walk.
Group hike along shaded forest trails to Catawba Falls, passing moss covered rocks and cascading waterfall viewpoints; meet at 70 College Street for a relaxed, community paced daytime walk.
Low pressure Toastmasters style public speaking practice with short prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, and supportive feedback in a small group setting. Free guest attendance with no preparation needed and a consistent weekly meetup cadence.
Low pressure Toastmasters style public speaking practice with short prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, and supportive feedback in a small group setting. Free guest attendance with no preparation needed and a consistent weekly meetup cadence.
Low pressure Toastmasters style public speaking practice with short prepared speeches, impromptu speaking, and supportive feedback in a small group setting. Free guest attendance with no preparation needed and a consistent weekly meetup cadence.
A moderate-paced group hike covering 5–5.5 miles from the Rice Pinnacle parking area in Bent Creek. Expect a steady 2.7–3 mph walk with a single halfway water stop and a finish around 10:50–11:00 p.m.
A moderate-paced group hike covering 5–5.5 miles from the Rice Pinnacle parking area in Bent Creek. Expect a steady 2.7–3 mph walk with a single halfway water stop and a finish around 10:50–11:00 p.m.
A moderate-paced group hike covering 5–5.5 miles from the Rice Pinnacle parking area in Bent Creek. Expect a steady 2.7–3 mph walk with a single halfway water stop and a finish around 10:50–11:00 p.m.
Morning birdwatching walk through the NC Arboretum gardens and trails to spot colorful local species. Hands-on tips cover binocular use, buying recommendations, and popular bird field guides, with loaner binoculars available.
Morning birdwatching walk through the NC Arboretum gardens and trails to spot colorful local species. Hands-on tips cover binocular use, buying recommendations, and popular bird field guides, with loaner binoculars available.
Morning birdwatching walk through the NC Arboretum gardens and trails to spot colorful local species. Hands-on tips cover binocular use, buying recommendations, and popular bird field guides, with loaner binoculars available.
Hands-on training for EOV monitoring with field practice in the Hickory Nut Gap landscape. Learn data collection protocols, observation skills, and how volunteers contribute to community science and environmental stewardship.
Hands-on training for EOV monitoring with field practice in the Hickory Nut Gap landscape. Learn data collection protocols, observation skills, and how volunteers contribute to community science and environmental stewardship.
Hands-on training for EOV monitoring with field practice in the Hickory Nut Gap landscape. Learn data collection protocols, observation skills, and how volunteers contribute to community science and environmental stewardship.
One-hour monthly Zoom sessions delivering simple, trauma-informed resilience tools and community healing practices for WNC residents, scheduled first Fridays at noon; free registration provides a supportive space for better days.
One-hour monthly Zoom sessions delivering simple, trauma-informed resilience tools and community healing practices for WNC residents, scheduled first Fridays at noon; free registration provides a supportive space for better days.
One-hour monthly Zoom sessions delivering simple, trauma-informed resilience tools and community healing practices for WNC residents, scheduled first Fridays at noon; free registration provides a supportive space for better days.
Moderate 5 mile loop hike with roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain through the Ranger District section of Pisgah National Forest. A community-led outing focused on steady climbing, trail time, and mountain scenery.
Moderate 5 mile loop hike with roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain through the Ranger District section of Pisgah National Forest. A community-led outing focused on steady climbing, trail time, and mountain scenery.
Moderate 5 mile loop hike with roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain through the Ranger District section of Pisgah National Forest. A community-led outing focused on steady climbing, trail time, and mountain scenery.
Small-group guided hike through the Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, rotating through different forest types. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal insights on wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history.
Small-group guided hike through the Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, rotating through different forest types. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal insights on wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history.
Small-group guided hike through the Arboretum’s botanically diverse woodland trails, rotating through different forest types. Volunteer naturalists share seasonal insights on wildflowers, tree and plant identification, and local natural history.
Guided lakeside stroll around Lake Junaluska with scenic view stops, easy terrain, and light natural history commentary from the Asheville Visitor Center; ideal for casual walkers, families, and photographers seeking peaceful evening nature.
Guided lakeside stroll around Lake Junaluska with scenic view stops, easy terrain, and light natural history commentary from the Asheville Visitor Center; ideal for casual walkers, families, and photographers seeking peaceful evening nature.
Guided lakeside stroll around Lake Junaluska with scenic view stops, easy terrain, and light natural history commentary from the Asheville Visitor Center; ideal for casual walkers, families, and photographers seeking peaceful evening nature.
Casual book discussion and social meetup centered on Wilma Dykeman’s The French Broad, with optional reading from chapters 13, 15, and 16. Blends local river history talk with community connection and light exploration.
Casual book discussion and social meetup centered on Wilma Dykeman’s The French Broad, with optional reading from chapters 13, 15, and 16. Blends local river history talk with community connection and light exploration.
Casual book discussion and social meetup centered on Wilma Dykeman’s The French Broad, with optional reading from chapters 13, 15, and 16. Blends local river history talk with community connection and light exploration.
Supportive public speaking club night with structured speeches, Table Topics-style impromptu speaking, and peer feedback to build confidence. Mix and mingle with local members while practicing leadership and meeting facilitation skills.
Supportive public speaking club night with structured speeches, Table Topics-style impromptu speaking, and peer feedback to build confidence. Mix and mingle with local members while practicing leadership and meeting facilitation skills.
Supportive public speaking club night with structured speeches, Table Topics-style impromptu speaking, and peer feedback to build confidence. Mix and mingle with local members while practicing leadership and meeting facilitation skills.
One-hour virtual training teaching trauma-informed psychological first aid and simple, powerful strategies to support others after crises; free for WNC residents and held weekly on Zoom.
One-hour virtual training teaching trauma-informed psychological first aid and simple, powerful strategies to support others after crises; free for WNC residents and held weekly on Zoom.
One-hour virtual training teaching trauma-informed psychological first aid and simple, powerful strategies to support others after crises; free for WNC residents and held weekly on Zoom.
A women’s mindful hike in DuPont State Forest blending guided meditation with a scenic trek to a waterfall. Expect spring wildflowers, gentle pacing, and a supportive outdoor community meet-up starting from Guion Farm Parking Area.
A women’s mindful hike in DuPont State Forest blending guided meditation with a scenic trek to a waterfall. Expect spring wildflowers, gentle pacing, and a supportive outdoor community meet-up starting from Guion Farm Parking Area.
A women’s mindful hike in DuPont State Forest blending guided meditation with a scenic trek to a waterfall. Expect spring wildflowers, gentle pacing, and a supportive outdoor community meet-up starting from Guion Farm Parking Area.
Guided forest-bathing walk through mature Blue Ridge Arboretum trails, emphasizing slow-paced sensory practices—breath awareness, mindful listening, and grounding exercises—to deepen nature connection and reduce stress in a curated woodland setting.
Guided forest-bathing walk through mature Blue Ridge Arboretum trails, emphasizing slow-paced sensory practices—breath awareness, mindful listening, and grounding exercises—to deepen nature connection and reduce stress in a curated woodland setting.
Guided forest-bathing walk through mature Blue Ridge Arboretum trails, emphasizing slow-paced sensory practices—breath awareness, mindful listening, and grounding exercises—to deepen nature connection and reduce stress in a curated woodland setting.
Hands-on backyard herbalism workshops teaching seasonal plant identification, medicinal preparations like tinctures and salves, and sustainable harvesting techniques; small-group, beginner-friendly sessions ideal for home gardeners and plant-curious locals.
Hands-on backyard herbalism workshops teaching seasonal plant identification, medicinal preparations like tinctures and salves, and sustainable harvesting techniques; small-group, beginner-friendly sessions ideal for home gardeners and plant-curious locals.
Hands-on backyard herbalism workshops teaching seasonal plant identification, medicinal preparations like tinctures and salves, and sustainable harvesting techniques; small-group, beginner-friendly sessions ideal for home gardeners and plant-curious locals.
Moonlit trek across Kanuga's chapel grounds exploring nocturnal ecology under May's Flower Moon, including reflections on seasonal renewal and ancient rhythms amid pine scents and silvered trails.
Moonlit trek across Kanuga's chapel grounds exploring nocturnal ecology under May's Flower Moon, including reflections on seasonal renewal and ancient rhythms amid pine scents and silvered trails.
Moonlit trek across Kanuga's chapel grounds exploring nocturnal ecology under May's Flower Moon, including reflections on seasonal renewal and ancient rhythms amid pine scents and silvered trails.
Silent, slow-paced community bicycle procession honoring riders killed or injured, promoting cycling safety and traffic awareness through a solemn group ride across Asheville streets in May.
Silent, slow-paced community bicycle procession honoring riders killed or injured, promoting cycling safety and traffic awareness through a solemn group ride across Asheville streets in May.
Silent, slow-paced community bicycle procession honoring riders killed or injured, promoting cycling safety and traffic awareness through a solemn group ride across Asheville streets in May.
A quiet 5.2 mile group bike ride through downtown streets honors cyclists killed or injured on public roadways. The silent procession builds awareness for cyclists’ right to share the road and street safety.
A quiet 5.2 mile group bike ride through downtown streets honors cyclists killed or injured on public roadways. The silent procession builds awareness for cyclists’ right to share the road and street safety.
A quiet 5.2 mile group bike ride through downtown streets honors cyclists killed or injured on public roadways. The silent procession builds awareness for cyclists’ right to share the road and street safety.