Conserving Carolina invites community to join Fall Hiking Series
Conserving Carolina's Fall Hiking Series begins Sept. 30 and and the group invites the community to enjoy the work conservation organizations have done over the years to protect the area’s natural resources.
These special places not only provide important habitat for 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 more, according to Conserving Carolina.
This series will offer an opportunity to enjoy the autumn season by attending five guided hikes, four taking place every other Friday and the final hike on the last Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Starting Friday, Sept. 30, the first trek will head to Mount Mitchell State Park for a 6-mile, moderate, loop hike offering great views of the surrounding mountains from the highest point east of the Mississippi River.
The next hike on Friday, Oct. 14 will take place at Pisgah National Forest (Pisgah Ranger District), a 6.5-mile, moderate, loop hike to the summits of Grassy Cove Top, Tennent Mountain, and Black Balsam Knob for scenic views at the onset of autumn.
On Friday, Oct. 28, hikers head to Fork Ridge Overlook along the Blue Ridge Parkway for an approximately 6.2-mile, moderate, out and back hike to Waterrock Knob and Browning Knob. The hike features some small water crossings and scenic views.
On Friday, Nov. 11, the group will head to Hickory Nut Gorge for a 5.6-mile, moderate, out and back hike along Conserving Carolina’s newest trail, Strawberry Gap. This hike will take participants past Ferguson Peak and up to Blue Ridge Pastures, offering views of Hickory Nut Gorge.
The final hike is Saturday, Nov. 19 and will be an approximately 6-mile, moderate, loop hike at Walnut Creek Preserve, a 2,100-acre private equestrian conservation community located near Lake Lure. Participants will enjoy a hike through the maturing forest to Walnut Creek Falls and to grassy knolls that offer views of the surrounding mountains. The Preserve is private land, and the public is only allowed on the property by invitation.
Anyone interested in attending Conserving Carolina’s Fall Hiking Series can visit Conserving Carolina’s website “calendar” of events, conservingcarolina.org/calendar/. Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Conserving Carolina invites community to join Fall Hiking Series
