Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, March 31, for an approximately 8-mile, moderate (with strenuous sections), loop hike in Pisgah National Forest. PAC’s Director of Stewardship and Land Protection, Pam Torlina, will lead the hike. 

From the Davidson River Campground, the hike will follow the Davidson River to the Art Loeb Trail. The Art Loeb Trail will take a long, steady, but moderate/strenuous ascent from the river to Shut-in Ridge.  Following the Art Loeb Trail along the ridge, hikers can expect a much gentler section of trail, but it will still have its ups and downs. After several miles on the Art Loeb Trail, hikers will veer onto the Connector Trail for a steady descent back toward the river where the group will then pick up the North Slope Trail for an easy, flat walk back to the parking area.

Along the way, the group will get a chance to have a look at the English Chapel, a landmark to those entering the Forest from the Brevard area. The original chapel was a wooden structure built in 1860. In 1940, the present, larger chapel was built out of rocks from the Davidson River.  The English Chapel, a United Methodist Church, continues to hold service every Sunday.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at Pisgah National 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 one-hour drive to the Davidson River Campground. 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 pacolet.org 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 PACs website or Facebook page for information on upcoming hikes. The final hike of the Spring Hiking Series takes place on April 14 at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a 6.8-mile, moderate, out and back hike along the Asbury Trail.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina