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Spring Hiking Series: Oconee Bells and Virginia Hawkins Falls – CANCELLED

March 17, 2023 @ 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Where: Oconee Bells and Virginia Hawkins Falls; Jocassee Gorges Management Area

Meet: Ironwood Square, Conserving Carolina’s office, 847 Case Street, Hendersonville, NC

Time: 8:30 a.m.

Trail info.: 6.5 miles, moderate; trail type – out and back. Expect some wet crossings.

Elevation gain: 876′

Drive time: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes

 

Hikers will travel along the Foothills trail in the Jocassee Gorges Management Area in South Carolina, paralleling Laurel Creek, crisscrossing it at times, to reach a beautiful patch of Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia)…hopefully in bloom! The discovery of this rare plant began in June 1787, when a French botanist named André Michaux made his first trip into the Carolina mountains on the quest to discover new plants. While traversing the Jocassee Valley along what is now known as the Whitewater River, Michaux made his most important find, Shortia galacifolia.

Michaux didn’t mention finding this plant anywhere in his journal, he did not name it, nor did he describe it scientifically, because it was not in bloom. But he did collect a specimen that he later dried and mounted; the impetus for over two hundred years of botanical searching.

After viewing the “Bells”, hikers will back track and visit the beautiful Virginia Hawkins Falls. This is a beautiful 60′ cascading waterfall that was known as Double Falls until late 2004 when the Foothills Trail Conference (FTC) renamed it for Virginia Hawkins, long time executive secretary of the FTC.

*Parking is limited at this location and carpooling is mandatory. High clearance vehicles are recommended.

 

Pre-registration is mandatory, and space is limited to 20 participants. RSVP below.  If the RSVP is closed, the hike is full. You can email Pam Torlina (email below) and request to be put on a waiting list and you’ll be contacted if a space opens up.

 

Also, join us on June 13, to learn more about Michaux and his botanical discoveries in the Carolina mountains by attending the Landrum Library Speaker Series which will feature Charles Williams, an expert on André Michaux.

 

Conserving Carolina is sponsoring a Friday hiking series this spring, free, guided, and open to the public. The hikes will meet at 847 Case Street at 8:30 a.m. and will leave promptly at 8:45 a.m. Hikers should plan to return to the area in the late afternoon, time varying with group size, distance of hike, and drive time. Car-pooling will be organized at the meeting location. If you’re coming from an area closer to the trailhead, please contact Pam Torlina (email below) to make other meeting arrangements.

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 (below) by 7:30 a.m. on the day of the hike and/or check the Conserving Carolina website ‘calendar’ event 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, please do not attempt any hike beyond your ability and experience. This schedule is subject to change.

Contact [email protected] with additional questions.

Details

Date:
March 17, 2023
Time:
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Event Category:
Event Tags:
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Venue

Ironwood Plaza
847 Case Street
Hendersonville, NC 28792 United States
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