Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, Sept. 26, for a 6-mile, moderate/ strenuous hike at Gorges State Park and Pisgah National Forest; the second hike of PAC’s Fall Hiking Series. PAC’s Director of Stewardship and Land Protection, Pam Torlina, will lead the journey to four beautiful waterfalls.

After visiting the beautiful, new Visitor’s Center at Gorges State Park, the group will head toward the Horsepasture River for a 4-mile hike to view three gorgeous waterfalls, Rainbow Falls, Turtleback Falls (both located in Pisgah National Forest), and Drift Falls (located on private property but viewed from the National Forest). After the hike to three waterfalls, the group will take a short hike to view a fourth waterfall, Bearwallow Falls. Then, the group will take another short trek to a scenic overlook of Bearwallow Valley, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Lakes Jocassee and Keowee in neighboring South Carolina.

The portion of the Horsepasture River that the hike will feature was designated as a National Wild and Scenic River in 1985. It is an escarpment river with five major waterfalls and numerous cascades, rapids, boulders, and rock outcroppings. In 1999, a purchase of land by the State of North Carolina preserved what is now Gorges State Park, which encompasses nearly 7,500-acres.

The State Park offers loads of public recreation such as, hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, picnicking, swimming (at own risk), and horseback riding. Those interested in using this hike as an opportunity to camp at the Park can make a reservation by visiting www.ncparks.gov or calling 1-877-722-6762.

Those who are interested in attending the PAC hike at Gorges State Park/ Pisgah National Forest, 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 Bi-Lo in Columbus at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximately 1.5 hour drive to the park. 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 required. Hikers should be prepared to return to the area in the late afternoon. In case of inclement weather, contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike, check the PAC website, www.pacolet.org, and/or the PAC Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pacoletarea.conservancy, to see if the hike will take place.

Those who cannot make this hike but would like to attend future hikes, visit PACs website, or go to PACs Facebook page, for information on upcoming hikes. The next hike is scheduled for Oct. 10 at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park at Cataloochee, a 7.4-mile hike on the Boogerman Trail.

PAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization (land trust) founded in 1989 to protect and conserve natural resources with emphasis on the lands and waterways with scenic, ecological, and agricultural significance in the North Pacolet and Green River watersheds (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 continue ownership of their property, preserve precious natural resources (open lands, forests, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, farmland, stream banks, etc.), and potentially obtain significant federal and local tax benefits. PAC works diligently to provide leadership to encourage conservation and offers education programs emphasizing responsible land use practices to help – save the places you love.

 

– article submitted
by Pam Torlina