Where: Walnut Creek Preserve

Meet: 179 Wood Thrush Ln, Mill Spring, NC 28756; 9:00 AM

Distance and difficulty: ~6 miles, moderate; trail type – loop

Elevation gain: 350′

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 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.

*Space is limited and pre-registration is required, and space is limited to 20 participants. Registration, by RSVP below, opens at 9:00 am Friday, September 29, 2023.  

Contact [email protected] with additional questions.

This hike will meet at the Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve.  The hike is free, guided, and open to the public. Meet up for this hike is 9:00 AM at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center. Hikers should plan to return to the meet up location in the early afternoon, time varying with group size and pace of participants.

Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water for yourself.

In case of inclement weather, please contact Pam Torlina by email at: [email protected] by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the hike and/or check the Conserving Carolina website ‘calendar’ and/or Facebook page to see if the hike will take place. Please also remember to bring any medication that you may need in the event of an emergency (ie: epinephrine, nitroglycerine, insulin, etc.). Hike leaders will carry a first aid kit; however, it may not contain specific medication for your individual needs.

Before each hike, you will be asked to sign a waiver form. For your safety, do not attempt any hike beyond your ability and experience. This schedule is subject to change.