Blue Ridge Institute: Itinerary
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2022 Tentative Itinerary
Sunday, July 10
Meet at Stone Mountain State Park
Set up camp
Getting on board
Moth light night
Camp at Stone Mountain State Park
Monday, July 11
Hikes at Stone Mountain
North Carolina Geology overview
Fish exploration in creeks with TR Russ, Wildlife Resources Commission fisheries biologist
Moth light night
Camp at Stone Mountain State Park
The Blue Ridge Institute poses atop Stone Mountain, NC.
Tuesday, July 12
Break camp
Linn Cove Viaduct
Linville Falls – History with Ranger Jonathan Bennett
Set up camp
Hike to Setrock Falls
Intro to birds
Night amphibian exploration
Camp at Briar Bottom Group Campground
Wednesday, July 13
Early morning bird study with Museum ornithologist John Gerwin
Summit of Mount Mitchell – high mountain ecology
Snorkel the South Toe River – fish exploration
Night amphibian exploration
Camp at Briar Bottom Group Campground
Museum ornithologist John Gerwin holds a banded Hermit Thrush while the group learns how to determine the age based on the feathers and body conditions of the bird.
Thursday, July 14
Break camp
BRP Plants and Animals with Ranger Brad Sauls
Writing workshop with Dr. Mildred Barya, UNCA
Set up camp
Late afternoon hike
Camp at Mount Pisgah Campground
Friday, July 15
Sunrise on Black Balsam Bald
Mountain bald community exploration
Hellbender survey and exploration with Lori Williams, Wildlife Resources Commission
Camp at Mount Pisgah Campground
Wendy catching one of the few glimpses of sunrise color from Black Balsam knob.
Saturday, July 16
Break camp
Highest point on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Learning about Indigenous peoples of the Blue Ridge with Freeman Owle, Cherokee elder and storyteller
Lodging at Sky Ridge Yurts
Sunday, July 17
Explore Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Writing and reflection at Yellow Creek Falls
Workshop reflection and closure
Lodging at Sky Ridge Yurts
Monday, July 18
Goodbyes and departure