Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026

Location: Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains NP, NC

• Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 4:00 pm
• Meeting Spot: We will meet at Ingles Grocery in the parking lot area behind their gas station. The address is 153 Smokey Park Hwy, Asheville, 28806 (GPS coordinates 35.5649, -82.6290).

Description: We will explore the meadows of the Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Target Species: Diana Fritillary, Peck’s Skipper, Silvery Checkerspot, and more.

Notes: Walking is easy at all the stops and there is a good chance of seeing wild Elk. There are also several pre-park structures to explore including a homestead and barn that attracts Swallowtail puddle parties. Entrance to the park is free, but a parking tag is required for a fee. If you don’t want to carpool with someone who already has a tag, you can buy one from the automatic fee machine on the road in ($5 for the day). It’s a long, winding drive with no cell service, gas stations, or bathrooms, but well worth the drive. Please bring water, a pack lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

Trip Leader: Gail Lankford

Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A

Sign-up: Please contact Gail Lankford (whocooksforyou64@gmail.com) AND Heather Rayburn (rayburnh@icloud.com) if you are planning to attend. Be sure to include your phone number. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Directions: N/A