A guided hike to the Waynesville watershed is offered between 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3.

Naturalist Don Hendershot, and Blair Ogburn of Balsam Mountain Trust will talk about the flora and fauna, and Dr. Peter Bates of Western Carolina University will answer questions about the watershed property and forest management plan.

The 8,600 acre Waynesville Watershed sits at the head of Allens Creek and provides enough water to fill a 50-acre reservoir and provide water to 18,000 residents of the Town of Waynesville and Haywood County.  Hikes in the town watershed are held twice a year; at all other times this property is off-limits to public access, making these hikes a special treat.

Participants must be able to hike downhill for 3-5 miles at a moderate pace. Hikers should bring rain ...