Memorial Day Weekend Nature Walks
May 23 - 25, 2025 May 23, 2025 May 25, 2025 Old Edwards Hospitality Group
Memorial Day Weekend Nature Walks: Go Deeper into the Magic of the Mountains.
Spend this Memorial Day weekend discovering the hidden wonders of fields and forests with three local experts. Go for the full discovery immersion with all three treks or choose one that calls your name.
Mushroom & Medicinal Plant Foraging Walk with Hope Corbin
Location: Brushy Face Preserve
What to Expect: An educational experience about identifying edible, toxic, and deadly mushrooms native to the Highlands Plateau, as well as learning about the medicinal properties of native plants. This will be a purely observational excursion—no foraging involved.
Themes: The importance of land conservation and human connection to nature. Identifying edible, toxic, and deadly mushrooms. Exploring medicinal properties of plants. Excursion Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
Random Fun Fact: Brushy Face Preserve has 250-year-old trees, showcasing old-growth forest.
What to Bring: Water, snacks, rain jacket, sunglasses/hat, sunscreen, sturdy shoes, plant/mushroom ID book (optional), hand lens/binoculars (optional).
What Got Hope Corbin Interested: Fascination with identifying the world around her, growing knowledge through both independent research and community engagement. Hope works at the Highland-Cashiers Land Trust.
Transportation will depart from Old Edwards Fitness Center at 10 am sharp.
Forest Bathing with Dr. Mark Ellison
Location: Dixon Woods
What to Expect: A gentle, meandering walk through the woods, focusing on slowing down and experiencing nature with all your senses, culminating in tea made from local forest plants.
Themes: Slowing down and being present. Connecting to nature with all senses. The health benefits of being in nature.
Excursion Difficulty: Easy
Random Fun Fact: A participant described the experience as, “bone deep relaxation." Mark's walks have been featured in National Geographic, Garden & Gun, Our State, and others.
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes
What Got Mark Interested: Passion for helping others connect with nature and introducing the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku to the United States. Mark visited Japan in 2023 to meet with forest therapy guides.
Learn More: Pinnacle Forest Therapy
Transportation will depart from Old Edwards Fitness Center at 1:30 pm sharp.
Wildflower Walk with Adam Bigelow
Location: Whiteside Mountain
What to Expect: A leisurely walk on a landmark trail along the Eastern Continental Divide, exploring wildflowers, plants, and nature, with a focus on storytelling and humor.
Themes: Plants and flowers are all around you. Connection to nature. Wildflowers will love you back.
Excursion Difficulty: Moderate
Random Fun Fact: Adam plays standup bass in a bluegrass band called The World-Famous Pancake Brothers.
What to Bring: Water bottle, hiking poles (optional), and your sense of childlike wonder.
What Got Adam Interested: A deep, personal connection to plants that has been nurtured over 20+ years.
Learn More: Bigelow's Botanical Excursions
Transportation will depart from Old Edwards Fitness Center at 5 PM sharp.
COST & DETAILS
Full Weekend Bundle:
$350: Includes all three walks (Foraging, Forest Bathing, and Wildflower)
Individual Walk Sign-Up:
$150 per walk: Pick one or two walks for $150 each