Conserving Carolina’s 2021 Fall Hiking Series
Take time to enjoy the work that volunteers from conservation organizations have done over the years to preserve our area’s natural resources.
The work ranges from clearing polluting items out of rivers and streams to cleaning up debris after storms to stabilizing trails and pathways—and much else.
The region’s special places not only provide important habitat for our native flora and fauna, but they also provide the public with the benefit of recreational opportunities such as walking, hiking, mountain biking, birding, botanizing, solitude, and so much more. Conserving Carolina is now encouraging the public to enjoy the work that those volunteers have done. This series of five guided hikes, taking place every other Friday, will offer an opportunity to enjoy these mountains this fall.
Starting Friday, September 24, 2021, the first trek will head to Pisgah National Forest’s Southern Research Station at Bent Creek, near Lake Powhatan for a 6-mile, moderate loop hike offering great views of mountain ridges and Lake Powhatan. [Difficulty: moderate]
The next hike, on Friday, October 8, will take place at Pisgah Point Lookout in the Grandfather Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest, near Montreat. The easy 7.2-mile, out-and-back hike will take place on a paved greenway, formerly part of Old US Highway 70, that winds through the woods and affords stunning mountain views. [Difficulty: easy]
On Friday, October 22, hikers head to Conserving Carolina’s Florence Nature Preserve for a 5-mile, moderate, lollipop hike on the slopes of Little Pisgah Mountain. The preserve features pristine creeks and cascades, scenic rock outcrops, the ruins of an old homesite, and areas of old growth forest. Hikers will also enjoy views of the Hickory Nut Gorge. [Difficulty: moderate]
On Friday, November 5, the group will head to Bursted Rock in Headwaters State Forest. The 5.2-mile, strenuous, out-and-back hike will lead the group to a geodetic benchmark inscribed “Bursting Rock” and set in a granitic dome. The destination offers dramatic views of the sheer cliffs of Table Rock and the piedmont to the south. [Difficulty: strenuous]
Finally, on Friday, November 19, the group will hike to Whitewater Falls in Nantahala National Forest, the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, falling 811 feet! The 6.2-mile, moderately difficult hike will follow the Whitewater River upstream, to a scramble over rocks, ascending to a wooden staircase up and to an amazing view of the 411-foot upper portion of the waterfall. [Difficulty: moderately difficult]
If you are interested in attending Conserving Carolina’s fall hikes and would like more information, please contact Pam Torlina by e-mail at [email protected]. You can also find information at conservingcarolina.org/calendar, and at facebook.com/conservingcarolina.
The local land trust Conserving Carolina works to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of nature. To learn more and for information about membership, visit conservingcarolina.org.
