Conserving Carolina’s Spring Hiking Series Begins March 1!
Conserving Carolina invites the community to enjoy the work that conservation organizations have done over the years to preserve our area’s natural resources. 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 spring season through five guided hikes taking place every other Friday.
Starting March 1, the first trek 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. Register here.
The next hike, on March 15, will take place at Conserving Carolina’s Trombatore Trail, part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail system. Hikers will travel 2.4 miles to Blue Ridge Pastures, a grassy bald with spectacular panoramic views of the Hickory Nut Gorge and Bearwallow Mountain, and return the same way (4.8 miles total, out-and-back, moderately strenuous). Register here.
On March 29, the group will head to the Green River Game Lands for a 4.6-mile, moderate, loop hike. This hike offers a variety of scenery, with mountain views, creek crossings, lush plant life, and the beautiful Stairstep Falls. Register here.
On April 12, the group will head to DuPont State Recreational Forest for a 4.9-mile, moderate loop hike. This loop trail follows the Little River to Bridal Veil Falls, the site of two movies: The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games. Bridal Veil Falls begins as a slide which drops over an approximately 10-foot ledge. The river flows smoothly down a long, sloping granite outcrop then plunges into small pools and large rock slabs at the bottom. Register here.
Finally, on April 26, join us for a hike in 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. Register here.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Online registration opens three weeks before each hike. To register and for more information, visit Conserving Carolina’s website and “calendar” tab, conservingcarolina.org/calendar.
Conserving Carolina, your local land trust, works to protect, restore, and inspire appreciation of nature. Learn more and become a member at conservingcarolina.org.