Let's go back in time to 1881 and the tiny one-room Little Greenbrier School. Until 1925, the schoolhouse doubled as the community's Primitive Baptist Church. Here we'll receive a lesson about the good ol' days with park volunteer Robin Goddard dressed in character as a schoolteacher.

During our hike in this isolated land, Liz Domingue, (pictured below) professional naturalist and owner of Just Get Outdoors tour company, will share the cultural history of the Walker family. She will explain the natural resources they needed so this family of 13 (four boys, seven girls and parents) could live a self-sustaining lifestyle working in their livestock pastures, fruit orchards and vegetable fields until the 1960s.

After exploring the area, we'll visit the Walker sisters home and rest on their porch imagining what life was life for five of the sisters who trapped food in the forest, tended to their gardens and livestock, and openly welcomed visitors before and after the park was established.

Other highlights of the trip will include and opportunity to view wildlife in its natural habitat, fall foliage and stream and woodland scenes.

Activity Rating: Easy to moderate

Mileage: 4 miles maximum

Location: Little Brier School parking area -  Use caution - This is a narrow one-lane road with pull-offs. Familiarize yourself with the meeting location prior to the event. Many locations are remote and GPS may not be reliable. Load a free digital version of GSMNP Trail Map HERE

What To Bring: In addition to plenty of water and enough food for your comfort, we also recommend sturdy trail shoes, all-weather gear, sunscreen, binoculars and your favorite GSMA publication. A personal first-aid kit and hiking sticks may be helpful as well.

Know Before You Go: Great Smoky Mountains Association events travel rain or shine. Follow Great Smoky Mountains National Park Service policies for weather conditions. Keep in mind that many of our events are often several hours from telephone or emergency service. Cancellations due to road closures and inclement weather can often happen at the last minute. GSMA strives to offer up-to-the-minute information and will notify you via email of any known issues that may affect the scheduled event. 

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Your enjoyment of these programs supports the Smokies. Participation fees are essential for GSMA to secure the services of some of the most knowledgeable guides whose purpose is to help strengthen your knowledge and appreciation of the Smokies.

Sold out! Join our waitlist HERE

Bigfoot's been doing it for years!