Add a little outdoor joy to the holiday season with a guided hike of the Mingus Creek Trail, followed by a trip to the Oconaluftee Visitor Center Saturday, Thursday, Dec. 15. This is a time for some Great Smoky Mountain history and holiday shopping in the Great Smoky Mountains Association bookstore and shop. Friends of the Smokies members receive 15 percent percent off purchases so bring  boots, membership card and wallet.

Friend of the Smokies hiking enthusiast and author of two regional hiking guides Danny Bernstein will lead this roughly six-mile hike with roughly 700-foot elevation change, along the Mingus Creek Trail, which is part of the Mountains-to-Sea trail in the Park.

Glimpses into history found in the park along this hike are the historic Mingus Mill, the Mingus family cemetery ...