Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, Oct. 10, for a 6.5-mile, strenuous hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP); the third hike of PAC’s Fall Hiking Series.  PAC’s Director of Stewardship & Land Protection, Pam Torlina, will be leading the hike.   

Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, Oct. 10, for a 6.5-mile, strenuous hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP); the third hike of PAC’s Fall Hiking Series.  PAC’s Director of Stewardship & Land Protection, Pam Torlina, will be leading the hike.

Please note that the location of this hike has changed due to several bridges being out along the Boogerman Trail in Cataloochee. The new location for this hike is still in the GSMNP but it will be taking place in Smokemont.

The hike starts from the Smokemont campground and parallels the Bradley Fork of the Oconaluftee River.  Then, the trail crosses the Fork and steadily ascends Richland Mountain to a height of 3,550 feet in elevation, a gain of 1,350 ft. elev. in just under 2-miles.  After the long, steady ascent, hikers will enjoy a break for lunch, then descend Richland Mountain, making their way to the Oconaluftee River. At this point, the group will take a short jaunt to visit the Bradley Cemetery which dates to the late nineteenth century. After visiting the historic site, hikers will resume on the trail that parallels the river and back to the campground.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at the GSMNP, please 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 1.75 hour drive to the park. For your safety, do not attempt any hike beyond your ability and experience. 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 in the late afternoon. In case of inclement weather, please 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.

If you cannot make this hike but would like to attend future hikes, please visit PACs website, or go to PACs Facebook page, for information on upcoming hikes. The next hike is scheduled for Oct. 24 at the Green River Game Lands, a 7-mile, moderate hike on the Green River Cove 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