The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy is offering guided hikes this summer of Big Yellow Mountain Preserve in Avery County. Hikes are set for June 4, July 23 and Sept. 10. This is a rare opportunity to visit the 5,540-foot peak, which is normally closed to the public. Big Yellow’s open, grassy peak offers a vantage point from which you can look out over range after range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Part of the Roan Highlands, Big Yellow features hardwood forests, rare flowers, and a grassy bald, an unusual naturally-occurring ecosytem that resembles high-elevation pasture and is found between 5,200 and 5,800 feet on dome-shaped summits and ridges.

Hikes will be led by Debbie Shetterly, who has been an avid outdoorswoman and amateur naturalist for 40 years. Debbie has volunteered for The Nature Conservancy in the mountains office since 2000, and was an employee between 2005 and 2009, primarily focusing on land preservation efforts in the NC mountains. To make reservations or if you have questions, please contact Debbie Shetterly: bigyellowmountain@gmail.com.