Join us on Wednesday, July 30, as we hike a beautiful loop through fields and woods to a waterfall at cooler temps high in the Blue Ridge Mountains just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. (We will access this hike by taking Highway 151 from Canton to get to the Parkway, as the Bent Creek entrance to the Parkway is still closed.)

The moderate loop trail will take us 3.0 miles through beautiful Graveyard Fields with open areas, woods, a stream, and a beautiful waterfall. At a moderate pace it will be about a 3-hour hike, plus some time for lunch. The trail is well-maintained with an elevation gain of only 154 feet to get to the falls.

We'll learn a bit about the ecology of these higher elevation meadows as well as some history of the area. We will spend about 30 minutes at the falls.

We'll meet in the parking lot behind Chick-Fil-A at 151 Smoky Park Highway at 9 a.m. on July 30, and then drive up to the Blue Ridge parkway via Highway 151. It will take about an hour to reach the parking lot for Graveyard Fields. We will aim to start the hike around 10:30 a.m.

If you prefer to meet us at the Graveyard Fields parking lot, please let the leader know when you email to sign up AND be sure you've checked current access points for the Blue Ridge Parkway, as the Bent Creek entrance is still closed at this time.

Be sure to bring snacks and lunch as well as water. It’s always good to bring rain gear in the summer for any storms that might pop up. We will return at an easy pace back to the parking area by around 2-2:30 p.m.

If anyone is feeling sick, and/or has a fever that day, they should not attend this outing. Families are welcome! Any children should be accompanied and supervised by parents or other adult family members. Dogs will not be allowed on this hike.

Please contact outings leader Ed Maggart to sign up, get directions, or if you have any other questions. Email Ed at edmaggart@gmail.com or text/call at 828-713-0541. We hope to see you there!!