Starting at an elevation of 4,650 feet, stroll through a northern hardwoods forest and observe the birds and blooms that call the high peaks home. Smokies Life Branch Out event. Thomas Divide Trailhead, Bryson City, N.C. If traveling from Tennessee, there is an option to carpool from Sugarlands Visitor Center. Cost: For Park Keepers, $45; to join and attend, $85 (Park Keeper basic membership $40 + event registration $45). Info – SmokiesLife.org/branch-out-events or email: membership@smokieslife.org.