Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, Feb. 17, for an approximately seven-mile, easy, loop hike at DuPont State Forest. PAC’s Director of Stewardship and Land Protection Pam Torlina will lead the hike.   

Hikers will venture to the Guion Farm area of DuPont State Forest, off of Sky Valley Road. The trail will lead hikers along old roadbeds, through a managed pine forest, and past Thomas Cemetery, named for the family that lived near the site in the 19th century. Hikers will take a short jaunt to view Wintergreen Falls, and then return to the main loop, making their way back to the parking area.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at DuPont State Forest, contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org.

Hikers are asked to meet at the BI-LO in Columbus at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximately 45-minute drive to DuPont State Forest. Hikers should be prepared to return to the area in the mid-afternoon.    

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. 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, check the PAC website, pacolet.org, and/or the PAC Facebook page, 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, visit PAC’s website or Facebook page for information on upcoming hikes.

The next hike takes place on March 3 at Pisgah National Forest, on the Coontree Loop and Bennett Gap trails.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina