Conserving Carolina’s Fall Hiking Series Begins September 27th!
Youngs Mountain hike
Conserving Carolina invites the community to join us for our Fall Hiking Series by enjoy the work that conservation organizations have done over the years to preserve our area’s natural spaces. These 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. This series will offer an opportunity to enjoy the fall season through five guided hikes taking place every other Friday.
Registration for each hike will open three weeks before the hike. You can register using the links below. If you register but are unable to attend, please cancel your reservation so that your spot will be open for someone else! To cancel, please email pam@conservingcarolina.org.
Starting September 27th, the first trek will head to Pisgah National Forest along the Daniel Ridge Trail. The 4.5 mile, moderate, loop hike begins by following the Davidson River, then the trail leaves the river and follows Lanning Branch ascending the ridge. The reward for this ascent is beautiful views of Pilot Mountain. After descending the opposite side of the ridge, hikers will enjoy views of a 90-foot waterfall, Toms Spring Falls. Learn more and register here.
On October 11th the group will head to the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area in Upstate South Carolina for a 5.6-mile, moderate, out and back hike along the Pinnacle Pass and Naturaland Trust trails to view Moonshine Falls. Hikers will have to cross Matthews Creek using a cable crossing (one cable for your feet and one cable for your hands). This is the easiest way to cross the creek, but rock hopping and wading may be possible. Learn more and register here.
The next hike, on October 25th, will take place Youngs Mountain, part of the emerging Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail network. The 4.2 mile round-trip is a moderate/strenuous, out and back hike on the north side of Lake Lure. The trail ascends 1,200 feet in elevation to reach the top of scenic cliffs near the summit of the mountain. This dramatic destination offers panoramic views of Lake Lure, Rumbling Bald, Weed Patch Mountain, and the lower Hickory Nut Gorge. On a clear day, Mt. Mitchell and the Black Mountains are also visible. Learn more and register.
The next hike, on November 8th, will take place at Walnut Creek Preserve, a 2,100-acre private equestrian conservation community located near Lake Lure. Participants will enjoy a hike to grassy knolls that offer beautiful views of the surrounding mountains, through the maturing forest, and along Walnut Creek to Walnut Creek Falls. The hike will be about a 6 mile loop and of moderate difficulty. The Preserve is private land, and the public is only allowed on the property by invitation, so take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy the serenity of this beautiful property in the glory of autumn. Learn more and register.
Finally, on November 22nd, join us for a 3.9 mile, moderate/strenuous, lollipop hike (elevation gain of 767′) at Holmes Educational State Forest. The hike will follow the Forest Demonstration trail with opportunities to see forest management exhibits, a small pond, and views of the surrounding area from an observation deck. Learn more and register.