Trails & Trillums

Schedule of Events

Trails and Trilliums Schedule

Registration opens soon:

Active members of Friends of the Parks may register starting Tuesday, March 3, 2026, 10am CST with a link that will be sent to them via email from Friends of the Parks. All others may register starting Thursday, March 5, 2026, 10am CST with a link posted on this page and on the home page.

IMPORTANT:

Review the full descriptions of activities on this page before starting registration.
Sold-out activities will be grayed out in the registration process, and you won't be able to click them. Have your 2nd and 3rd choices ready!
BE AWARE OF TIME AND DURATION: Do not schedule more than one activity during the same time frame. You don’t want to keep someone else from being able to register!

Below, you will find:

1. Instructions for Attendees

2. Weekend at a Glance

3. Hikes & Presentations List

Instructions for All Attendees:

All meals for the day are included in your ticket price, including breakfast (Saturday & Sunday), lunch (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday), and dinner (Friday's Hootenanny and Saturday's Wine & Wildflowers). You will make your meal selections during the ticket checkout process.

All hikes will leave from "Hike Central" at Beersheba Springs Assembly. Check in at "Hike Central" at least 15 minutes prior to your hike.

The events are headquartered at the Beersheba Springs Assembly Conference Center. Address is 58 Hege Ave., Beersheba Springs, TN 37305. The BSA phone number is 931-692-3636.

Trails & Trilliums Emergency Contact: Ned Murray 706-726-7320

Events will take place rain or shine. In case of extreme weather, check our website for updates. If you decide it is too cold or rainy to take part in an activity you signed up for, check at Registration to choose an indoor session.

If your plans change and you will not be able to participate in a hike or event you registered for, sign back into Eventbrite and delete your registration so that another person can take your place. In Eventbrite, you can edit your schedule in your registration, or you can cancel your entire ticket and get a refund (see Registration page for more details). If you need help, text or email Andrea Sanders, sandandrea@gmail.com, 931-636-3335.

Casual dress is appropriate for all events, including Wine & Wildflowers.

Remember your water bottle! We will have refill stations.

For Overnight Guests:

The Beersheba Springs Assembly address is 58 Hege Ave., Beersheba Springs, TN 37305.

To make your BSA hotel reservation online, visit the Lodging page. Check in at the Hotel Lobby on arrival to get your nametag and room assignment. Once you have completed registration, you can move your car to a parking area near your room. If BSA has sold out, you will find other options listed on the Lodging page.

For Day Attendees:

Beersheba Springs Assembly address is 58 Hege Ave., Beersheba Springs, TN 37305

Look for signs saying Day Parking. Use the main Hotel entrance and go to Registration for your nametag and information.

There is no charge to attend the general event, which includes information tables and the Native Plant Sale.

Hikes often sell out before the event, but many walks, workshops, presentations, and Hands-On Nature remain open throughout the event. Many of our top speakers are in Smith Hall, which has a large seating capacity. You can pre-register online or check at Registration on arrival to sign up.

Weekend at a Glance:

Friday April 10th

9:00 am - 3:00 pm: Trails & Trilliums (T&T) Registration in Beersheba Springs Assembly (BSA) Hotel Lobby
9:00 am - 7:00 pm: BSA Room Check-In in BSA Hotel Lobby
9:00 am - 4:45 pm: Hikes, Walks, Workshops, Presentations, Hands-On Nature
9:30 am - 1:00 pm: Pick up Box Lunches in BSA Dining Hall
5:30 pm - 6:30 pm: Hootenanny Dinner in BSA Dining Hall
6:30 pm - 8:00: Hootenanny Dance in BSA Smith Hall
8:00 pm - 9:30 pm: Friday Evening Programs

Saturday April 11th

7:30 am - 9:00 am: Buffet Breakfast in BSA Dining Hall
8:00 am - 5:00 pm: Hikes, Walks, Workshops, Presentations, Hands-On Nature
8:30 am - 4:30 pm: T&T Registration and BSA Room Check-In in BSA Hotel Lobby
9:00 am - 4:00 pm: Native Plant Sale & Boy Scouts Worm Castings Sale in BSA Quad
9:30 am - 12:00 pm: LUNCHTIME HIKERS ONLY: Pick up Box Lunches in BSA Dining Hall
12:15 pm - 1:30 pm: Plenary Lunch Session in BSA Smith Hall. Keynote speaker David Haskell discusses his newest book: How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature's Revolutionaries. Friends of South Cumberland State Parks share updates and awards.
5:00 pm - 7:30 pm: Wine & Wildflowers at The Big Red Barn, including happy hour, dinner, and music.
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm: Campfire Program. Join Bran Potter & Mary Priestley in the BSA Quad. Bring an instrument to play and/or a poem to share!

Sunday April 12th

7:00 am - 11:45 am: Hikes, Walks, Workshops, Presentations, Hands-On Nature
7:30 am - 9:00 am: Buffet Breakfast in BSA Dining Hall
8:00 am - 8:40 am: Outdoor Service with Rev. Roger Speer at Vesper Point
8:00 am - 12:00 am: Pick up Box Lunches in the Dining Hall
8:30 am - 12:00 pm: T&T Registration in BSA Hotel Lobby
11:00 am: BSA Room Check-Out by 11:00 AM (see BSA staff to get a late check-out)
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: TAKE-DOWN, CLEAN-UP. All hands welcome! Meet in BSA Hotel Lobby.

Hikes, Walks, Workshops, Presentations, Hands-On Nature Activities

2026 FULL SCHEDULE

When an activity has filled to capacity, you will not see it listed when you register. Be sure to have your second and third choices ready for each time slot before you start your registration.

ABOUT CHILDREN

Children should always be accompanied by an adult. Parents should take care in selecting activities (esp. hikes) that are appropriate for your child's ability. Parents are responsible for ensuring children's participation is appropriate and not disruptive to other participants.

ABOUT HANDS-ON NATURE

Throughout the weekend, we will feature hands-on programming in Bostick. Stop by to see marsupials, animal pelts, reptiles, and participate in programming like build your own hiking stick. Beth Girard and Margaret Matens, two amazing nature educators, will be the hosts for these hands-on opportunities for all to enjoy. Families are particularly welcome. They will be setting up on Friday afternoon. Stop by to say hello and get a glimpse of what is in store for the weekend.

ABOUT THE HIKES

Trails in the South Cumberland region are known for their rugged terrain, offering an adventurous experience for hikers. It is recommended that hikers wear sturdy boots and consider bringing hiking poles (optional), water, and snacks to ensure a comfortable journey. While most trails are challenging, a few labeled as "Walks" feature smoother terrain suitable for leisurely strolls.

All hikes will leave from "Hike Central" at Beersheba Springs Assembly. Check in at "Hike Central" at least 15 minutes prior to your hike.

Trail Difficulty Ratings:

EASY: Relatively flat trails (1-3% slope) with paved or fairly smooth dirt surfaces.
MODERATE: Trails with mostly gentle slopes (3-5%) featuring rocks, stumps, and roots.
DIFFICULT: Trails with steep slopes (greater than 6%) and rugged terrain, including climbing hillsides or navigating over boulders.

Friday

Fri. 9:00–10:45 (KING) Workshop: Drawing Trees, Laura Blackman. Limit 17.

Begin a morning of creativity with certified Tennessee Naturalist and nature journalist Laura Blackman, learning the various shapes of native trees and techniques used to draw them. Materials provided.

Fri. 9:30-1:00 (DINING HALL) Box Lunch: Pick up your box lunch in the BSA Dining Hall. If you’re hiking during lunch, be sure to grab it before you head out.

Fri. 10:15-4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Explore Big Creek Gulf, Laurel Creek Gulf, and Ranger Falls, Christa Ellis, 7 miles, Very Diﬃcult. Limit 15.

Join certified Tennessee Naturalist Christa Ellis to find the wildﬂowers that bloom in the gulfs of Savage Gulf State Park. An adventurous approximately 7-mile round trip hike from Stone Door down into Big Creek Gulf, heading ﬁrst to the Laurel Creek Gulf Bridge, and then to Ranger Falls (if water levels in Big Creek permit) before returning up to Stone Door.

This hike navigates steep and uneven terrain down into and back out of the gulf to reach Ranger Falls. Participants should be experienced hikers in excellent physical condition.

Please note: This hike involves navigating an 800-foot descent and ascent elevation change. This is a VERY strenuous hike that also involves portions of narrow trail with varied surfaces that could include water crossings, boulders, and other obstacles. Please make sure you wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water and snacks. We will take short breaks as needed, but we will also be walking for extended periods of time during the hike.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring at least two liters of water. Wear sturdy hiking shoes.

Fri. 10:15-4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Stone Door to Decatur Savage Cabin, John Collins, 6.1 miles, Difficult. Limit 15.

John will lead an adventurous hike from Stone Door via Big Creek Gulf, ending at the Decatur Savage Cabin. Enjoy the wildflowers as you pass by Laurel Creek and across Big Creek bridge on the way to the historic cabin. This is a one-way hike with a pick-up by the rangers at Savage Gulf Road.

Please note: This is a very strenuous hike. Participants should be experienced hikers in excellent physical condition.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Fri. 11:00–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Into the Old Growth Forest, Aaron Reid, 5 miles, Very Difficult. Limit 10.

Join Aaron Reid, manager of Savage Gulf State Park, for a rare and demanding hike into one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth forest in the region. This protected tract of virgin forest is accessible only when led by a ranger.

Please note: This is a very strenuous hike. The terrain is steep and rugged, with significant elevation change and loose boulders underfoot. Participants should be experienced hikers in excellent physical condition. Hiking poles are strongly recommended.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Fri. 11:00-3:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Salamander Adventure, Dustin Thames, 2 miles, Moderate. Limit 24.

Join Dustin Thames, TWRA agent, to search behind and below Suter Falls for elusive green salamanders (and other amphibians of interest).

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Fri. 11:15–3:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Greeter and Boardtree Falls, Stuart Carroll, 4.25 miles, Moderate. Limit 15.

Join Stuart Carroll, the manager at the new Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park, for one of the best short waterfall hikes on the plateau. The loop leads to waterfalls, numerous bluffs, and the Greeter Homeplace historic site. The trail along the bluff is easy, but below the bluffs is rocky.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Fri. 11:15–12:45 (KING) Workshop: Painting Birds with Watercolor, Kristen Garrison. Limit 17.

This workshop utilizes photos, models, and media to capture the unique avian spirit in watercolor, observing avian skeletal structure when building sketches. Materials provided.

Fri. 12:00–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Canoe Adventure: Explore Three Forks Lake by Canoe, Ranger Todd Childress, limit 14.

Join Ranger Todd Childress for a canoe exploration of Three Forks Lake in the newly acquired, undeveloped property at Savage Gulf State Park. Canoes, paddles, and life vests supplied. Family friendly. We will have a lakeside picnic before we head out.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Fri. 1:00–3:45 (SMITH) Workshop: Nature Photography Best Practices, Robin Conover. Limit 15.

Longtime photography editor of the Tennessee Magazine and winner of numerous photography awards, will hold a workshop called “The Art of Seeing” for all levels of photographers. The workshop will begin with a “lunch and learn" session from 11-12:00. Bring your box lunch with you to hear Robin talk about how to see with regard to the subject, composition, background and lighting. After lunch, the group will take a walk to the bluff to take photos of the view and discuss techniques. This session is open to any level and/or equipment, even smart phones. In her 33 years with the magazine, Robin has hiked many miles of trails to capture thousands of images of the state’s scenic natural areas.

Fri. 1:00–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Boardtree Falls and Big Bluff Overlook, Jenny & Nick Barsotti, 3 miles, Moderate. Limit 15.

Join naturalists Nick and Jenny and explore at a naturalist’s pace on this scenic 3-mile hike to Boardtree Falls and Big Bluff Overlook, featuring a beautiful waterfall, sandstone bluffs, and sweeping views across Savage Gulf. This unhurried hike gives participants a chance to slow down, admire the small things, and learn more about details of the forest.

Fri. 1:30–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Stone Door, Layla Zandi, 2.5 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Join Layla for a hike to the iconic Stone Door in Savage Gulf State Park. This easy hike leads through forested plateau terrain to one of the most spectacular overlooks in the region. At the edge of the bluff, hikers are rewarded with sweeping views into the Gulf and a close look at the massive sandstone crack that gives Stone Door its name.

Fri. 2:00-4:00 (KING) Workshop: Painting Artistic Flowers, Lendon Noe. Limit 17.

Join artist Lendon Noe in an easy and intuitive way to paint watercolor florals. Materials and supplies are provided!

Fri. 2:00–3:45 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk: History of Savage Gulf and Beersheba Springs: The Legacy of Mack Prichard. Sanford McGee. Limit 20.

Learn about the beginning of Savage Gulf's preservation and the evolution of the park: Mack Prichard's efforts, Governor Winfield Dunn’s horseback trip, and Beersheba in the early 70’s, all while birding and botanizing around the Assembly.

Fri. 3:00-4:00 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk/Workshop: When Hiking Hurts: Preventing and Overcoming Common Aches and Pains on the Trails, Dan Defigio, 1 mile, Easy. Limit 20.

Prepare for the weekend by taking an afternoon walk around Beersheba Springs Assembly as Dan Defigio teaches stretches, strength, and stability concepts, and ergonomics to help prevent or attend to common back, knee, hip, and foot/ankle issues. An amateur naturalist, Dan also is a fitness and nutrition expert and Amazon best-selling author who incorporates his love of the natural world and nature spirituality into his wellness work and teachings. In addition, Dan is the Vice-Chair of the Tennessee Naturalist Program Board of Directors and heads the TNP Continuing Education Committee for TN2.

Fri. 4:00–4:45 (SMITH) Presentation: Shortleaf Pine Restoration, Murray Gheesling.

Savage Gulf is home to an increasingly rare ecosystem of Shortleaf pine-oak woodland. Absence of fire on the landscape, naturally low germination, and timber management practices have led to a dramatic decline in Shortleaf pine over the past century. Working with grant partners, Natural Areas and State Parks began a restoration of shortleaf pine habitat north of Savage Creek. Prescribed fire, Shortleaf pine planting, invasive species treatments, and research are all playing a role in the active management of the restoration site. This presentation will discuss the history and vision of this project. Murray Gheesling is a stewardship ecologist for the Tennessee Division of Natural Areas. He works hard to understand vulnerable landscapes and he is equally at home in remnant prairies and shortleaf pine stands.

Friday Evening Programs

Fri. 5:30-6:30 (DINING HALL) Hootenanny Dinner.

Join us for a cookout-style dinner in the BSA Dining Hall.

Fri. 6:30–8:00 (SMITH) Hootenany: Square & Contra Dance, Cumberland Community Dance.

Dance a little or dance a lot, but everybody come dance to live Appalachian music by Turnip the Beet and Christi Burnes with caller Anna Claire Camp.

Fri. 8:00–9:30 (BANKS) Star Program, Richard Clements. Limit 40.

Join astronomer Richard Clements for a star program suitable for all levels. If skies are clear, the group will gather outside. If not, the program will move indoors. Family friendly.

FrI. 8:00 - 9:30 (SMITH) Hands-On Nature: Biolumenescence, Beth Girard, Limit 60.

Beth Girard is leading the Hands-On Nature Program at Trails and Trilliums this year, giving visitors of all ages the opportunity to learn about the natural world through joyful encounters with physical specimens. As an educator, she is deeply committed to the Tennessee Naturalist Program and assists chapters across the state by providing educational programs to young and old alike. Beth has a lifelong commitment to nature education, and believes in the power of immersive experiences to foster wonder and growing knowledge of the natural world. She will kick off our Hands on Nature segment by an exploration of bioluminescence on Friday evening.

Fri. 8:00-9:30 (BOSTICK) Hands-On Nature: "Spider Sniffing" and Night Hiking, Margaret Matens, Limit 25.

Camp counselor and nature educator Margaret Matens will give a short indoor program (using a few live critters) to prepare for what you may see outdoors. On the hike along the edge of the woods, find out how to "sniff out" tiny spiders, toads, and other nocturnal creatures with flashlights. Learn what you can identify by listening. Each participant needs a strong flashlight (or cell phone). Limit 25.

Fri, 8:00-9:30 (PAVILLION) Hands-On Nature: Exploring the World of Moths, Kris Light. Limit 40.

Join Kris Light, who has been doing naturalist education for over three decades, as we observe moths attracted to the light. The demonstration and exploration will take place at the pavilion. See the abundance of moth species at home on the South Cumberland Plateau.

Fri. 8:00–9:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Night Hike at Stone Door, Jenny & Nick Barsotti, 1.5 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

What is it like to explore the forest after dark? Join Nick and Jenny for a special evening hike to Stone Door and discover how the landscape transforms when the sun goes down. Nick will bring a bat detector so we can listen for bats overhead, and we’ll use UV lights to search for creatures that fluoresce in the dark. Bring a headlamp and a sense of curiosity and come experience a little night magic on the plateau.

Saturday

Fri. 7:30-9:00 (DINING HALL) Buffet Breakfast.

Join your friends for a sit-down breakfast in the BSA Dining Hall.

Sat. 8:00–12:15 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Savage Day Loop with a Twist!, Keith Garnes, 5.5 miles, Moderate. Limit 15.

The group will do the classic Savage Day Loop plus add a quick spur hike to cover the famous Savage Creek Swing Bridge out to below Savage Falls. The group then returns to complete the loop passing Savage Falls and Rattlesnake Point Overlooks. The hike will cover approximately 5.5 miles with over 400’ of elevation gain. The hike leader is not a certified naturalist; however, he has led countless event group hikes and brings out the best that both the group and the trail have to offer. Please join and lend your expertise while enjoying this classic Savage Gulf hike with a twist.

Your ticket price includes lunch. If you want to bring your lunch on this hike, be sure to select "Saturday Box Lunch (only for those hiking during lunch)" when buying your ticket. Pick up your boxed lunch in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Sat. 8:30–1:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Into the Old Growth Forest, Aaron Reid, 5 miles, Very Difficult. Limit 10.

Sat. 9:00-9:45 (SMITH) Presentation: Evidence Underfoot–The Geologic Stories of the Stone Door and Greeter Falls, Bran Potter.

The talk will provide an outline of our area's geologic history with emphasis on field observations that can be made at Stone Door and Greeter Falls. Both locations provide clues about the ancient environments that prevailed in Mississippian and Pennsylvanian times. Emeritus Professor of Geology Bran Potter has studied the geology of the South Cumberland Plateau extensively and worked with student field researchers in Fiery Gizzard. He is a recipient of the Yeatman Environmental Educator Award.

Sat. 9:00 - 9:45 (BOSTICK) Hands on Nature: Hands on Herps, Beth Girard. Limit 40.

Hands on Nature is part presentation, part exhibition, part exploration. Saturday begins with Hands on Herps. Bring the family by Bostick to learn about the world of herps.

Sat. 9:00 - 9:45 (PAVILLION) Hands on Nature: Make Your Own Walking Stick, Margaret Matens. Limit 20.

Margaret Matens is a legend in naturalist circles and provides this fun hands-on activity in making hiking sticks. In the session, you will select your own sapling, and we will show you how to cut, peel bark, affix a leather strap, and more. Bring a pocket knife if you have one. Appropriate for participants of all ages (parents should supervise use of pocket knives). Materials will be provided (except pocket knives).

Sat. 9:00–11:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Stone Door, Jenny & Nick Barsotti, 2.5 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Join naturalists Jenny and Nick Barsotti for a hike to the Great Stone Door. This 2.5-mile route follows the rim of Savage Gulf on relatively flat terrain, with a portion of the trail paved. Along the way, Jenny and Nick will point out notable plants and seasonal highlights of the Plateau. The hike offers expansive views into the Gulf and time to explore the Stone Door overlook before returning to the trailhead.

Sat. 9:00–3:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Hunt for the New Phacelia Species in Collins Gulf, Jon Evans, 6 miles, Difficult. Limit 15.

Join Jon Evans for a full-day hike into Collins Gulf to see the recently identified species of Phacelia that has been hiding in plain sight on the Cumberland Plateau. This challenging 6-mile route descends past Suter Falls to scenic Horsepound Falls and returns the same way. Along the trail, Jon will discuss the discovery of the new species, the role of field observation and iNaturalist in modern botany, and the broader ecological context of the Gulf’s rich spring wildflower displays.

Please note: This is a very strenuous hike. Expect steep sections and a sustained climb on the return. Participants should be experienced hikers in excellent physical condition.

Sat. 9:00–11:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Tarlton Valley Wildflowers, Yolande Gottfried, 2 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Do you love the spring wildflowers but are hesitant about long up and downhill treks? Join botanist Yolande for a walk on flat ground along Savage Gulf Road and Dry Collins River to view an array of wildflowers.

Sat. 9:00–10:45 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk: History of Savage Gulf and Beersheba Springs: The Legacy of Mack Prichard. Sanford McGee. Limit 15.

Sat. 9:00–10:15 (KING) Workshop: Phenology Wheels: A Circular Perspective, Deb Tucker. Limit 17.

Learn about phenology, the study of natural phenomena over time, and create your own phenology wheel. All materials included.

Sat. 9:00–11:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Savage Day Loop, Layla Zandi, 4.2 miles, Moderate. Limit 15.

This hike is a perfect morning outing for those looking to view the gulf and Savage Falls. The loop is all on the plateau top and gives the hiker a great variety of features. This trail gives hikers access to several of the longer backcountry trails and is a great introduction to the Savage Gulf State Natural Area.

9:30-12:00: LUNCHTIME HIKERS ONLY: Pick up Box Lunches in the Dining Hall

NOTE: Saturday Box Lunches are only for those who are hiking during the lunch hour. All other attendees should select the Plenary Lunch Buffet in Smith Hall at 12:15.

Sat. 9:30-11:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Wildflowers in Tarlton Valley, Richard Clements, 2 miles, Easy/Moderate. Limit 15.

Longtime science professor and botanist Dr. Richard Clements will lead a hike to Tarlton Valley/Lower Collins Gulf. Do you love the spring wildflowers but are hesitant about long up and downhill treks? Walk along Savage Gulf Road and Dry Collins River to view an array of wildflowers as Dr. Clements reveals the wonders of the forests and geology of the Cumberland Plateau.

Sat. 10:00–11:45 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk: Tree Identification Expedition, Sandy Baird, 1 mile, Easy. Limit 20.

Sandy Baird, a naturalist with a love of trees, will lead a tree identification walk on trails around the Assembly. Enjoy this informative walk with an engaging guide.

Sat. 10:00-10:45 (PAVILLION) Hands on Nature: The Delight of Fairy Houses, Kelly Baggett. Limit 40.

Use materials found in the woods around us to create Fairy Houses, small objects of art to delight the whole family.

Sat. 10:00-10:45 (SMITH) Panel: Why Save Great Spaces? A conversation about value and values associated with nature, Keri Watson, Melissa Jean, Michelle Brown, and Andrew Bailey. Tom Sanders, moderator.

We will look at the value and values of nature, from the ecosystem services model presented by Dr. Keri Watson of Sewanee to the importance of access to nature in child development explained by a founder of a forest school, Michelle Brown. We’ll also explore human responses to being in nature presented by Dr. Melissa Jean, an environmental studies professor and forest therapy guide, and Dr. Andrew Bailey, principal investigator at the UTC Brainwave Project, which investigates the influence of outdoor environments and outdoor activities on mental states.

Sat. 10:15–12:15 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk: Beersheba Springs Architecture and History, Amanda Shadowens, 1.5 mile, Easy. Limit 20.

Join this tour for a glimpse of Beersheba Spring’s fascinating past, beginning in 1833 when Beersheba Cain first came across the Chalybeate Spring. Learn about the resort era, the Civil War, plus connections to the founding of The University of the South. Beautiful homes will be featured, some from the 1800s, along with other treasured residences.

Sat. 10:30-11:45 (KING) Workshop: Words and Poetry to Complement Images of Nature, Margie Gallagher. Limit 17.

Local artist and journalist Margie Gallagher focuses on expanding the meaning and context of your artwork with words. Materials are provided.

Sat. 11:00-11:45 (SMITH) Panel: Let’s Keep Saving Great Spaces. Conservation in the 21st Century, Alice Hudson Pell, Liz McLaurin, Zachary Lesch-Huie, Zach Irick. Joel Houser, moderator.

Having established the value and values of natural spaces in the 10 am discussion, we introduce Joel Houser of the Open Space Institute, who will moderate a panel of conservation leaders whose organizations are at the forefront of conservation of great spaces in the 21st century.

Sat. 11:00-11:45 (PAVILLION) Hands on Nature: Make your Own Wreath, Margaret Matens. Limit 40.

A family-friendly activity, this hands-on-nature session will let you select your own materials from the forest to fashion a wreath that can decorate your home year round. All materials are available or will be gathered during the session.

Sat. 11:00–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Into the Old Growth Forest, George Shinn, 5 miles, Very Difficult. Limit 10.

Join George Shinn, manager of Fiery Gizzard State Park, for a rare and demanding hike into one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth forest in the region. This protected tract of virgin forest is accessible only when led by a ranger.

Sat. 12:00-5:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Wildflower Hike to Ranger Falls, Ranger Jamie Ownby, 7 miles, Very Difficult. Limit 15.

Join Ranger Jamie on a challenging, yet rewarding hike to Ranger Falls. Discover stunning flora and fauna, an incredible waterfall, and breathtaking views along the way. This will be an approximate 7-mile round trip hike that will navigate over steep and uneven terrain down into the gulf to reach Ranger Falls.

Please note: This hike involves navigating an 800-foot descent and ascent elevation change. This is a VERY strenuous hike that also involves portions of narrow trail with varied surfaces that could include water crossings, boulders, and other obstacles. Please make sure you have sturdy hiking shoes, plenty of water and snacks. We will take short breaks as needed but will also be walking for extended periods of time during the hike.

Sat. 12:15-1:30 (SMITH) Plenary Lunch & Keynote, David Haskell and Ned Murray.

Join our plenary session with a keynote address by biologist and two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist author David Haskell, whose newest book, How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature’s Revolutionaries, has just been released. A hot buffet lunch and updates from Friends of the Parks will precede Haskell’s address, and the session will close with the presentation of three awards conferred by the Friends of South Cumberland State Parks Board of Directors.

Sat. 1:30-4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Stone Door, Jenny & Nick Barsotti, 2.5 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Sat. 1:30-2:15 (SMITH) Presentation: What Flower is That? Kris Light.

Kris Light, a Trails and Trilliums favorite who can speak authoritatively and engagingly on almost any topic related to the natural world, will provide a presentation on the principles of flower identification.

Sat. 1:30-2:15 (BOSTICK) Hands on Nature: Open Exhibits, Beth Girard. Limit 40.

Stop by Bostick to see and touch materials from the natural world.

Sat. 1:30-3:30 (BANKS) Walk: Forest Bathing, Melissa Jean, Limit 20.

Spend two pleasant hours learning the art of Forest Bathing, or shinrin-yoku–a Japanese, evidence-based practice of immersing oneself in nature using all five senses to improve mental and physical health. Learn techniques and spend restorative time in a forest marching into spring.

Sat. 1:30–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Nature Literature Ramble to Stone Door, Bran Potter, 2 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Enjoy an easy hike to Stone Door with retired Sewanee geology professor Bran Potter, who created the Walking the Land class at Sewanee and teaches in the Friends of South Cumberland's Tennessee Naturalist Program. Enjoy the view with stops along the way to reflect on nature-inspired passages from literature.

Sat. 1:30–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Wildflowers in Tarlton Valley, Mary Priestley, 2.5 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Do you love the spring wildflowers but are hesitant about long up and downhill treks? Join Mary Priestley for a walk along Savage Gulf Road and Dry Collins River to view an array of wildflowers.

Sat. 1:30–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Savage Falls, Layla Zandi, 3 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Join Layla Zandi for a 2.5-mile loop hike to Savage Falls. This well-maintained trail leads to one of the most popular waterfalls in Savage Gulf State Park. The route includes a staircase descent to the base of the falls and a gradual climb back to the trailhead. Expect bluff views, forested sections, and creek access along the way. Bring water and wear sturdy shoes.

Sat. 2:00–4:00 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk: Beersheba Springs Architecture and History, Amanda Shadowens, 1.5 mile, Easy. Limit 20.

Sat. 2:00–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Mack Prichard Hike / Stone Door, Stuart Carroll, 2 miles, Easy/Moderate. Limit 15.

In honor of Mack Prichard and the early preservation of Savage Gulf, join the manager at the new Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park, Stuart Carroll, for a hike out to and around the Stone Door. Learn about the forests and geology of the Cumberland Plateau while walking the relatively flat, partially paved rim trail.

Sat. 2:00–4:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Tarlton Valley Wildflower Hike, Yolande Gottfried, 2 miles, Easy/Moderate. Limit 15.

Sat. 2:00–4:00 (KING) Workshop: Landscape Sketching and Painting on the Plateau, Lendon Noe. Limit 17.

Enjoy sketching and painting the stunning rocks and boulders of our beloved Cumberland landscape with a renowned artist. This workshop is perfect for both beginners and seasoned artists looking to refine their techniques. We will review pencil, pen, and paint techniques with hands-on guidance. Bring your own art supplies or use the shared supplies provided.

Sat. 2:30-3:15 (PAVILLION) Hands on Nature: Make Your Own Walking Stick, Margaret Matens. Limit 17.

Sat. 2:30-3:15 (SMITH) Presentation: Stories of Lone Rock in Science and Song, Camille Westmont and Denis Kiely.

Why is Fiery Gizzard called that? Well, one apocryphal story is about Davy Crockett. A more likely explanation is the fiery coke ovens along the creek at Grundy Lakes, site of a significant archaeological site in American history–the Lone Rock Stockade. A version of the folk song, "Buddy Won't You Roll Down the Line" was recorded in the 1920s as "Lone Rock Song," by Uncle Dave Macon. The song describes conditions at the site. Camille Westmont, a professor and historical archaeologist will partner with Denis Kiely, a folklorist and president of the Tennessee Folklore Society, to explore how the song does (or does not) reflect the physical reality revealed by archaeology. The presentation will feature visual presentations, explanations of the song and the site, and how those stories intertwine.

Sat. 2:30-4:15 (BANKS) Walk: A Mushroom Foray, Hill Craddock and Alisha Millican. Limit 20.

Join Dr. Hill Craddock, the Davenport Professor in Biology at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga, and Alisha Millican, president of the Alabama Mushroom club. Take a walk to find and identify mushrooms and learn some keys to identification.

Sat. 3:30-4:15 (BOSTICK) Hands on Nature: Living with Wildlife, Margaret Matens. Limit 40.

Among her contributions to the Plateau and its creatures, Margaret Matens works as a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, doing much of her work with injured or abandoned creatures in her home at Clifftops in Monteagle. Come hear a first-hand account of Margaret’s daily adventures with animals.

Sat. 4:30-5:15 (BOSTICK) Hands on Nature: Hands on Skull, Beth Girard. Limit 40.

Stop by Bostick to look at, touch, and learn about identifying animal skulls.

Saturday Evening Programs

Sat. 5:00-7:30 (BIG RED BARN) Wine & Wildflowers.

Wine & Wildflowers is our signature Saturday evening gathering and a great way to relax after a full day of learning, hiking, and creating. Enjoy a great meal and a glass of wine while enjoying meaningful conversation with friends old and new. It’s an opportunity to connect with hike leaders, presenters, and fellow park lovers who share your passion for these extraordinary landscapes. Join us at the Big Red Barn as we celebrate community, conservation, and the beauty of spring on the Plateau. Come as you are–no need to take off your hiking boots.

Sat. 7:30-8:30 (BSA QUAD) Campfire Program, Bran Potter and Mary Priestley.

After Wine & Wildflowers, head back to the Beersheba Springs Assembly quad and join Bran Potter and Mary Priestley around the campfire for music and poetry underneath the stars. You are encouraged to bring an instrument to play and/or a poem to share. Get ready to sing along!

Sunday

Sun. 7:00–8:45 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk: Birding Walk & Workshop, Kristen Garrison, 1.75 miles, Easy. Limit 20.

Investigate bird behavior and feeding habits while identifying as many species as possible. Beginners welcome.

Sun. 7:30-9:00 (DINING HALL) Buffet Breakfast: Gather at the table and compare notes with your nature buddies as you eat a buffet breakfast in the BSA Dining Hall.

Sun. 8:00-8:40 (VESPER POINT) Outdoor Service: Rev. Roger Speer, No registration required. All are welcome.

Greet the day in a beautiful setting for an ecumenical time of reflection, prayer, and song. Rev. Roger Speer is pastor of Grace Chapel in Beersheba Springs and Cowan Fellowship Church, as well as a Master of Sacred Theology seminarian at Sewanee: The University of the South. (In the event of inclement weather, the service will be held in the chapel.)

Sun. 8:00-12:00 (DINING HALL) Box Lunch: Pick up your box lunch in the BSA Dining Hall. If you’re hiking during lunch, be sure to grab it before you head out.

Sun. 8:30–1:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Into the Old Growth Forest, Bill Loewer, 5 miles, Very Difficult. Limit 10.

Join Bill Loewer, manager of Head of the Crow State Park, for a rare and demanding hike into one of the largest remaining stands of old-growth forest in the region. This protected tract of virgin forest is accessible only when led by a ranger.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Sun. 8:30–2:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Collins Gulf and Horsepound Falls, Tom Sanders, 5 miles, Difficult. Limit 15.

Hike through Collins Gulf to see one of the most beautiful spring wildflower displays in the park. You will descend from the plateau top and hike past Suter Falls. After a trek through a rock garden with tricky footing, you will reach a smooth path down to scenic Horsepound Falls and back.

Please note: This is a very strenuous hike. Expect steep sections and a sustained climb on the return.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Sun. 9:00–10:45 (WALK DEPARTURES) Walk: Tree Identification Expedition, Sandy Baird, 1 mile, Easy. Limit 20.

Sandy Baird, a naturalist with a love of trees, will lead a tree identification walk on trails around the Assembly. Enjoy this informative walk with an engaging guide.

Sun. 9:00–11:30 (Hike Central) Hike: Stone Door, Jenny & Nick Barsotti, 2.5 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Sun. 9:00-2:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Explore Big Creek Gulf and Ranger Falls, John Collins, 5.0 miles, Difficult. Limit 15.

Enjoy another way to find the wildflowers that bloom in the gulfs of Savage Gulf State Park. John will lead an adventurous hike from Stone Door down into Big Creek Gulf heading to Ranger Falls (if water levels in Big Creek permit) before returning up to Stone Door.

Please note: This is a very strenuous hike. Expect steep sections and a sustained climb on the return. Bring water shoes, if you have them, to aid with crossings.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Sun. 9:00-9:45 (SMITH) Presentation: Conserving Birds from the Genes Up, Kristen Garrison.

Garrison, an interpretive ranger at Rock Island State Park says that she “knows birds to their very bones.” Before Rock Island, she was a Level III raptor rehabilitator, and her “Birds of Prey Standards of Care” for Fall Creek Falls State Park were heavily referenced in the establishment of the current guidelines for Tennessee State Park raptor care. Her journey includes 30 years of first-hand experience with managing a closed breeding population of the humble barnyard chicken, with which she successfully re-created and re-established an extirpated breed of poultry, the Watermaal. This journey was accompanied by a deep dive into the avian genome. She is a lifelong birder who has attended Cornell classes to hone her birding skills and will follow her early morning bird walk with a presentation on birds from the backbone of their very existence: their genes.

Sun. 9:00-1:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Chimney Rocks at Fiery Gizzard, Bran Potter. Difficult. Limit 15.

We'll discuss the origins of the sedimentary rocks that cap the local Plateau and are well exposed on the hike to the Chimneys. The folds and faults we'll see in these rocks were formed during North America's slow collision with Africa. Our starting point, the Fiery Gizzard North trailhead, is 32 minutes from Beersheba Springs Assembly.

Please note: This is a strenuous hike. Expect some tricky navigation of rock fields and steep stairs on return.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle. Given the time and location, some participants may choose to leave for home from Fiery Gizzard SP rather than return to BSA.

Sun. 9:00–11:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike: Wildflowers in Tarlton Valley, Mary Priestley, 2.5 miles, Easy. Limit 15.

Do you love the spring wildflowers but are hesitant about long up and downhill treks? Join Mary Priestley for a walk along Savage Gulf Road and Dry Collins River to view an array of wildflowers.

Sun. 9:00-12:00 (HIKE CENTRAL) Site Visit: Lone Rock Stockade and Coke Ovens, Camille Westmont. Easy. Limit 20.

Join historical archaeologist and preservationist Camille Westmont, PhD, for a dive into her research of the Lone Rock Stockade in Tracy City. The group first will drive to the Fiery Gizzard State Park Visitor Center (35 minutes) to see the Lone Rock installation created from research conducted by Westmont and her students. Then we’ll drive (10 minutes) for an easy walk to the actual stockade site at the Grundy Lakes area of Fiery Gizzard State Park. This fascinating conversation will weave the stories and impact the post-Civil War convict leasing with insights into Westmont’s historical and archaeological research.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle. Given the time and location, some participants may choose to leave for home from Grundy Lakes rather than return to BSA.

Sun. 10:00-12:30 (HIKE CENTRAL) Hike & Rappel: Rappelling at Stone Door, 2 miles, Easy. Limit 12.

Take this opportunity to rappel down the face of the Great Stone Door (110 feet) with the guidance of a park ranger and the Grundy County Fire Department. This adventure outing for all ages includes an easy, relatively flat, walk out to the Stone Door and back, a portion of which is paved.

Your ticket price includes a boxed lunch, which you can pick up in the Dining Hall before your hike leaves. Bring a water bottle.

Sun. 10:00 - 10:45 (BOSTICK) Hands on Nature: Hands on Herps, Beth Girard. Limit 40.

Hands on Nature is part presentation, part exhibition, part exploration. Bring the family by Bostick to learn about the world of herps.

Sun. 10:00 - 10:45 (SMITH) Presentation: Unwelcome Guests–Invasive Species in the Parks, Katy Kilbourne.

Katy Kilbourne is a Forest Health Forester for the State of Tennessee. She works on a number of projects that foster good health in our forests. Not limited to insects and diseases, forest health is also influenced by abiotic events, invasive plants, improper silviculture prescriptions, harvesting damage to residual stands, air and water quality, soil compaction, wildland fire, and much more. She will give a fascinating presentation on invasive species in the parks.

Sun. 11:00–11:45 (SMITH) Presentation: Where Else Can You Hike in Tennessee? Stuart Carroll.

Join Stuart Carroll, the manager at Scott's Gulf Wilderness State Park, for a look at all this new park has to offer. We will also discuss some great hikes and explorations of other parks shared in the book Hiking Tennessee, which he coauthored.

Sun. 11:00 - 11:45 (PAVILLION) Hands on Nature: Fairy Houses, Kelly Baggett. Limit 40.

Use materials found in the woods around us to create Fairy Houses, small objects of art to delight the whole family.

Sun. 11:00- 11:45 (BANKS) Presentation: The World of Insects, Kris Light. Limit 40.

Kris Light will close out her educational programming at this year’s Trails and Trilliums with a presentation on the fascinating world of insects, with a special look at local populations.

Trails & Trillums

Schedule of Events

​Trails and Trilliums Schedule

Registration opens soon:

IMPORTANT:

Below, you will find:

Instructions for All Attendees:

For Overnight Guests:

For Day Attendees:

Weekend at a Glance:

Hikes, Walks, Workshops, Presentations, Hands-On Nature Activities

Friday

Friday Evening Programs

Saturday

Saturday Evening Programs

Sunday

Trails and Trilliums Schedule