Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, April 17, for a four-mile hike on a private property protected by conservation easement with PAC and located along the Green River.  The moderate loop hike will lead trekkers through a maturing forest laden with wildflowers, along several streams with beautiful cascades, to a waterfall, and to the Green River.

 

Space is limited. Hikers must sign up for this hike in order to attend, and no dogs are allowed.

 

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike on this protected property, free of charge, please contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org.

 

Hikers will meet at the BiLo in Columbus at 8:30 a.m. to arrange car-pooling and start the approximately 15-minute drive to the property.

 

On Saturday, April 18, hikers, and their dogs (on a leash), are invited to join PAC and Foothills Humane Society for a hike in a celebration of Earth Day! The four-mile, moderate, out and back hike with a loop will take place at Ashmore Heritage Preserve, a South Carolina Department of Natural Resources managed preserve. The trail will loop around Lake Wattacoo, a man-made lake at the base of Campbell Mountain/the Blue Wall escarpment and provide a view of Ashmore Falls. The preserve features a natural bog which creates favorable habitat for rare plants and other species unique to the region.

 

If anyone is interested in giving a shelter dog a break and taking it for a walk on the day of the hike, please contact Dana Mayer, of Foothills Humane Society, several days before the hike for an interview and pairing with the appropriate dog. Dana can be reached at 828-243-1852.

 

If you are interested in attending the PAC/FHS hike at Ashmore Heritage Preserve, free of charge, please contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org.

 

Hikers will meet at the Spinx in Gowensville, SC at 9:15 a.m. to arrange car-pooling and start the approximately 30-minute drive to the property.

 

For both hikes, hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and for the April 18 hike, dogs must be on a leash and accustomed to being around many other dogs.  Bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water (don’t forget snacks for your pooch!).  Please be sure to bring any personal medication that you may require. Hikers should be prepared to return to the area in the afternoon.  In case of inclement weather, please check the PAC website, www.pacolet.org, and/or 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 other hikes, please visit PACs website, www.pacolet.org, or go to PACs Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pacoletarea.conservancy, for information on upcoming hikes.  The next hike is scheduled for May 1 on the Smokemont trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

 

-submitted by Pam Torlina