Blue Ridge Parkway October 11 to 18, Cost: $2995 Double Occupancy, $3790 Single Occupancy

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1 Blue Ridge Parkway October 11 to 18, 2015 Cost: $2995 Double Occupancy, $3790 Single Occupancy

2 Itinerary Explore a land of wonder and resilience. The forests of the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment cover 9.4 million acres of ancient mountains stretching across five states. Our journey through North Carolina promises memorable highlights. After attending a special event at The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, you ll depart to take in autumn s color throughout the biologically diverse region. From three picturesque lodges and the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, you ll have a front row seat to superlative views of fall foliage and the signature blue haze emanating from miles and miles of lush vegetation. It won t be long before you understand why the region has inspired artists and naturalists for centuries. Day 1 - Sunday, October 11 Welcome to Ashville! You will be picked up upon arrival and transferred to the Bent Creek Inn, a lovely logconstruction retreat where you can settle in, enjoy the view from your balcony, and gather for a catered dinner and introductory program on TNC s work in the Blue Ridge region. Overnight: Bent Creek Inn (D) Day 2 - Monday, October 12 This morning we visit Chimney Rock State Park and scenic Lake Lure, a 720 acre lake with 21 miles of shoreline. The Nature Conservancy was instrumental in protecting the Hickory Nut Gorge through its Rumbling Bald Preserve, a geologic and ecologic wonderland. Learn how TNC helped secure this vital property in a new state park in 2005, and about further acquisitions such as the World Edge tract that make the park over 3000 acres today. As you are close to scenic Lake Lure, site of the film Dirty Dancing, we enjoy a boat ride to a delightful restaurant at lunch.

3 Afterwards, we return to the Inn to freshen up before going over to the North Carolina Arboretum for a special dinner and evening. You will want some time to walk the grounds to admire their significant exhibits and collections. Overnight: Bent Creek Inn (B,L,D) Day 3 - Tuesday, October 13 On the way to Mt. Mitchell State Park today, we stop at Craggy Dome. This popular trail climbs a short distance from a Blue Ridge Parkway overlook to a high, rocky peak overlooking the Craggy Gardens area. Fall color should be most impressive, accenting spectacular 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. We also enjoy the walk to Craggy Gardens, with lunch on the trail today. Continue on in the afternoon to Mt. Mitchell, at 6,684ft., the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River. On billion-year old rock of the Black Mountains, we walk amid lovely mixed oak-hickory hardwood forests. At the top of the drive experience marvelous views and stunted, wind-blown Red Spruce forests. Mt. Mitchell State Park has some of the most distinctive and diverse flora in the region and has been an important site for research on forest health, having seen great change over the last century. This is a good area to watch for migrating raptors, including Peregrine Falcon. Our lodge is an upscale mountain retreat, on 87 acres of grounds in walking range of the village of Blowing Rock. Enjoy lovely meals here and at local restaurants and accommodations for the next three nights. Overnight: Chetola Resort (B,L,D) One s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. - Henry Miller

4 Day 4 - Wednesday, October 14 The 2500-acre Grandfather Mountain State Park was established in 2009, and it lies adjacent to the 720 acre Grandfather Mountain scenic attraction. Both are a part of the larger Grandfather Mountain Biosphere Reserve that The Nature Conservancy has been vitally involved with since 1990, when they encouraged and coordinated landowners to donate important conservation easements, particularly along the mountain ridgeline known as the backcountry. Today, combined with adjoining tracts, the approximately 4,000-acre Grandfather Mountain watershed is the largest single holding in North Carolina state park system. The Nature Conservancy continues to help manage the biological resources of this popular tourist attraction. It considers Grandfather Mountain an ecological site of global significance, as it provides habitat for more globally rare species than any mountain east of the Rockies. The species include the globally imperiled Bog Turtle, various salamanders, Spruce Fir Moss Spider, Blue Ridge Goldenrod, Spreading Avens and numerous other species. You will be able to hike, visit the park s iconic mile-high swinging bridge for spectacular views, and if you wish, visit seven different environmental habitat enclosures where in natural settings with educational displays that include Cougar, White-tailed Deer, Black Bear, Bald Eagle, and River Otter. The park has numerous hiking trails, and we ll make several options available, including the Profile Trail if some want a challenge. Overnight: Chetola Resort (B,L,D) Day 5 - Thursday, October 15 A highlight today is time at local historic sites, and hiking to viewpoints of Linville Falls and Gorge and on trails with views of nearby Table Rock Mountain. We keep an eye out for birds and wildlife in a mix of hardwood and conifer forests. You will also have some time to enjoy our lovely resort which has spa facilities, hiking trails into adjacent Moses Cone State Park and more. Overnight: Chetola Resort (B,L,D) Day 6 - Friday, October 16 This morning we head south along the parkway, stopping at some of the classic viewpoints such as Looking Glass Mountain. We enjoy a hike, watching for birds and wildlife and taking our lunch on a 2.5 mile scenic loop trail at Graveyard Fields, a great hike for immersing oneself in fall colors. In the afternoon, with a local expert, we visit the North Carolina Cradle of Forestry. Our lodgings

5 tonight are on the peak of the parkway at 5000 ft., and we enjoy dinner with views of the forest close at hand. Overnight: Pisgah Inn (B,L,D) Day 7 - Saturday, October 17 Celebrate your final full day along the Blue Ridge by visiting Black Balsam Ridge, Devil s Courthouse, Water Rock Knob and trails that look over TNC s Plott Balsams Preserve. Views in the region are beyond measure. The Black Balsam Knob trail often tops the list of ten best hikes of the region because of its series of balds that afford sweeping views. This diverse area hosts both spruce and hardwood forests home to Black Bear, Ruffed Grouse, Ravens, and Wild Turkey. Overnight: Pisgah Inn (B,L,D) Day 8 - Sunday, October 18 After an early breakfast in the delightful dining room at Pisgah Inn, transfer to Ashville Regional Airport for your flights home. (B) The tour is designed to give you insight into The Nature Conservancy s important work in the Southern Appalachian Region. Local staff members will meet us at various sites, and local guides will enhance interpretation of parks and preserves. Comfortable lodgings and dining with an emphasis on local foods enhances our stay. Camaraderie with other TNC Legacy Club members is often a highlight for many.

6 The pace of the tour is moderate, with hikes ranging 3-5 miles. In order to see a diversity of landscapes, we select hikes in different habitats and different regions of the Parkway. We also visit historic sites, scenic viewpoints, waterfalls and other attractions. Timing of the tour is to experience fall color, and fall migration of raptors. Naturalists accompany the journey throughout. *This itinerary is representative of your trip, and like all natural history excursions, activities are subject to modification based on weather and unforeseen events. We will do our best to keep you informed on any necessary changes. Photo Credits: Mark Godfrey, TNC, Kent Mason, Kent Mason, Marty Cordano, Naturalist Journeys, Naturalist Journeys, Naturalist Journeys