Downtown Knoxville — Ijams Nature Center is kicking off a new series of monthly, members-only hikes that explore areas beyond its borders.
Each hike is open to only 15 people who have a current Ijams Nature Center membership. Prices range from $60-$75 per person depending on the length of the hike.
“We’ve been looking at ways to increase the benefits of an Ijams membership because member support makes this nonprofit nature center possible and we want to recognize that,” Ijams Executive Director Amber Parker said. “These special hikes feature a small-group experience led by someone who knows a great deal about the history, flora and fauna of some of East Tennessee’s most beautiful areas.”
Nature expert Ken Voorhis, the former operations and education officer from the non-profit Yellowstone Forever, has signed on to lead the first three hikes in the series.
“Ken has been a leader on a national level, helping to build capacity for in-depth learning programs in national parks,” Parker said. “He is an avid photographer, storyteller, writer, and musician, and enjoys outdoor pursuits including hiking, canoeing, skiing, birding, botanizing and exploring out-of-the-way, wild places. He also has a great sense of humor, so you know you’ll learn a lot and have a great time!”
The series begins with an easy 5.5-mile hike around Cucumber Gap Loop on Oct. 13. The cost is $60.
The next hike on Nov. 10 is a moderate 4.5-mile hike to Courthouse Rock with a possible 2-mile extension to Quilliams Cave. The trail is a fairly well-traveled path up a small drainage on the side of Sugarland Mountain from Newfound Gap Road with some wonderful views across the valley toward Mount LeConte. The fee is $60.
The last members-only hike of 2018 on Dec. 8 is a strenuous 8-mile hike of Ramsay Cascades and features an elevation gain of more than 2,000 feet, featuring a spectacular waterfall at the top and old growth forest with wonderful diversity and record-sized trees along the way. Participants must be able to climb rock steps and tackle a fairly continual uphill climb after the initial two miles on an old roadbed. This hike is $75 per person.
All hikes will meet at the trailhead. Specific directions, packing instructions and other information will be sent upon registration. Hikes occur rain or shine, and early registration is strongly encouraged.
For more information, visit www.ijams.org or call 865-577-4717.
Ijams Nature Center is primarily supported by members and donors. Basic memberships include individual memberships ($35), senior memberships for ages 60+ ($25) and family memberships (two adults and their children under the age of 19) ($60). The nature center also has legacy memberships including Friends of Ijams ($100-$499), Conservationist ($500-$1909) and the 1910 Society ($1910+).
