A 73-year-old hiker from North Carolina, Ann Houghton, was discovered deceased in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Sunday, February 4, 2025. Park officials located her body approximately a quarter mile off the Enloe Creek Trail. The cause of death has not yet been released.

Ms. Houghton was reported missing on Saturday after she failed to return from a planned hiking trip in the park, which spans the North Carolina-Tennessee border. She had intended to hike from January 28th to the 29th.

A dedicated volunteer with over two decades of service to the park, Ms. Houghton was nominated for a volunteer service award in 2022. She was an avid hiker and well-known within the Smokies community.

Search and rescue teams initiated their search after locating Ms. Houghton's vehicle at the Smokemont Campground. The search efforts concentrated along several trails, including Bradley Fork, Chasteen Creek, Hughes Ridge, and Enloe Creek. Various local agencies provided assistance in the search operation.

Charles Sellars, Acting Superintendent of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, expressed condolences, stating, "Ann was an enduring and beloved member of our Smokies Community. She was a dedicated volunteer and avid hiker who shared her passion for the park with many visitors. Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers condolences to her family and friends."