Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, March 15, for a 5-mile loop hike at Pisgah National Forest, the third hike of PAC’s Spring Hiking Series.

PAC Land Protection Specialist Pam Torlina will lead the moderate hike on the Cove Creek and Caney Bottom trails. The hike will begin on the Cove Creek trail, paralleling the cascading Cove Creek. Along the way, hikers can view several small, but beautiful waterfalls. Then, the hike will follow the Caney Bottom trail and parallel Caney Bottom Creek to yet another picturesque waterfall.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at Pisgah National Forest, please contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or email, landprotection@pacolet.org.

Hikers will be meeting at the Columbus Bi-Lo at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximate 45-minute drive to the trailhead. Hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear; bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water. Please be sure to bring any personal medication that you may require. Hikers should be prepared to return to the area by 3 p.m., at the latest. In case of inclement weather, please contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike to see if the hike will take place.

If you cannot make this hike, but would like to attend future hikes, please visit PAC’s website, www.pacolet.org, or go to PAC’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pacoletarea.conservancy, for information on upcoming hikes. The next hike is scheduled for March 29th at the YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly.

PAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization (land trust) founded in 1989 to protect and conserve the area’s natural resources (PAC’s mission). PAC works with area landowners to ensure the long-term protection of their property through voluntary conservation easements (agreements), which enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property, preserving precious natural resources (open lands, forests, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, farmland, stream banks, etc.), and potentially obtain significant federal, state and local tax benefits. PAC’s vision is a community living and growing in harmony with our natural heritage and a goal to provide a legacy that will endure and be valued by generations to come. PAC works diligently to provide leadership to encourage conservation and provide education programs emphasizing responsible land use practices to help save the places you love.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina