Western NC is back! Hike the AT at Hot Springs

If you've been hankering to hike Western North Carolina since Hurricane Helene all but shut down the mountains last September, take heart! Hiking -- and everything else you love about the mountains -- is returning!
The first weekend in May marks the official reopening of Hot Springs, a true trail town if ever there was one. ReBuild Hot Springs, a non-profit formed to aid in the rebirth of this popular trail town, is sponsoring the two-day Town & Trail Festival. On Friday, May 2, there will be volunteer opportunities aplenty -- there's still plenty of recovery work to be done -- plus storytelling in the evening. Saturday is the festival, featuring live music, vendors, arts & crafts, and more.
More?
Hiking, of course! Four guided hikes are part of the weekend, all lead by the Asheville-based Blue Ridge Hiking Co., which also has a bunkhouse in Hot Springs. Here's the hiking lineup:
Friday, May 2
9 a.m. -- Appalachian Trail: Garenflo Gap into Hot Springs. 7 miles, moderately challenging
2 p.m. -- Big Laurel River Trail, 5.6 miles, moderate difficulty
Saturday, May 3
9 a.m. -- Appalachian Trail: Tanyard Gap into Hot Springs, 5.6 miles, moderately challenging
1 p.m. -- Lover's Leap on the Appalachian Trail, 2 miles, moderately challenging.

There is a $50 donation to secure one of the 8 available slots for each hike ($25 for the Lover's Leap hike). There is an additional $5 fee to cover Blue Ridge's Forest Service fee, plus $5 for shuttles. And, again, the hikes are being lead by Blue Ridge Hiking Co., and will be swept by Joe Miller with the NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources' Hometown Strong Division, as well as GetHiking!

To learn more about the hikes and to register, go here.