Hikers are invited to join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) Friday, April 8 for the final hike of PAC’s Spring Hiking Series, a 6.5-mile, strenuous loop trail in the Green River Game Lands to view the “Narrows.”

The remote Green River Gorge in the state-owned Green River Game Lands is made up of over 14,000 acres of rugged landscape with steep ravines, coves, and old-growth and mixed hardwood forest. There is an area along the Green River where the river drops 400 feet in a distance of one and a half miles, running through a six-foot wide crevice known as the “Narrows.” The “Narrows” are some of the most popular whitewater rapids in the eastern United States.

The trails the hike will follow wind through the mountainous terrain, often along some of the numerous creeks flowing to the Green River. Hikers are advised that there are at least three places where they will have to cross creeks, balancing on rocks in the creek. With spring afoot in the Green River Gorge, however, hikers will have the opportunity to see many spring wildflowers and hear newly arriving songbirds.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike to the Green River Game Lands, contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org. Hikers will meet at the Columbus Bi-Lo Friday morning at 8:45 a.m. to carpool and start the journey to the Game Lands.

Hikers should expect to return to the Columbus 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.

Hikers who participated in PAC’s previous hike to DuPont State Forest observed numerous waterfalls. To view photos from that hike, visit PAC’s Facebook page – “Pacolet Conservancy.” Feel free to tag PAC in some of your photos from the hike too.

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. If you’d like to learn about the conservation of our watershed, contact the PAC office at the number above for information or an appointment, or visit the website shown above.