Discover beautiful waterfalls and a choice swimming hole while hiking with Friends of the Smokies in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  On Thursday, September 20, join the next “Classic Hike of the Smokies” for a waterfall-filled guided hike along Big Creek.

Hikers may wade or swim in Midnight Hole and admire Mouse Creek Falls, dubbed by waterfall aficionado and photographer Kevin Adams as one of his favorite in western North Carolina. Hiking enthusiast and author Danny Bernstein (“Hiking North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains”) will lead this 10-mile hike. The hike is easy to moderate in difficulty and has a total elevation gain of 1,100 feet.

Participants may gather for the all day excursion in Asheville at 8:30 a.m. or Waynesville at 9 a.m. A donation of $35 to go to the Friends’ ...