Hikers are invited to join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) Friday, March 11 for the second hike of PAC’s Spring Hiking Series, a 5-mile excursion to Rainbow Falls. PAC Land Protection Specialist Pam Torlina will lead the hike from the trailhead at Jones Gap State Park.

Rainbow Falls is created by Cox Camp Creek, which drops 100 feet over a steep wall of granitic gneiss. It will be a strenuous hike, 2.5 miles out and 2.5 miles back. The trail starts out moderately, with a slight incline, and follows the Middle Saluda River for the first mile or so. Then, the trail begins a 1,000 foot ascent, over approximately 1.6 miles, to the base of the falls. According to Torlina, the view of the falls makes this strenuous hike well worth the effort.

Hikers should expect to return to the Tryon area around 2 p.m.; however, return time varies due to the number of hikers and the varying pace of the hikers. Hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear; bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water. Be sure to bring any personal medication that you may require. In case of inclement weather, contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike to see if the hike will take place.

“We had a great turn out and a good group for our first PAC hike, which went to Moonshine Falls,” said Torlina. If you would like to view some photos from the hike, visit PAC’s Facebook page – “Pacolet Conservancy” and PAC encourages hikers to tag some of their photos from the hike as well.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike to Rainbow Falls, contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org. Hikers will be meeting at the Gowensville Spinx (at the intersection of Hwy. 14 and Hwy. 11) at 8:45 a.m. to carpool and start the journey to Jones Gap State Park.

If you cannot make this hike, visit www.pacolet.org or follow PAC’s Facebook page for upcoming information on the next hike, March 25 to DuPont State Forest, as PAC volunteer Peggy Burke leads hikers to view Triple Falls, High Falls and Hooker Falls.

The Pacolet Area Conservancy has helped protect more than 8,000 acres in the foothills region. PAC’s mission is to conserve and protect the area’s natural resources and to envision a community living and growing in harmony with our natural heritage.