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Join Conserving Carolina on Friday, March 20, for a 7.1-mile, moderate, out and back hike along the Foothills Trail in the Jocassee Gorges Management Area in South Carolina. Conserving Carolina’s southeast stewardship manager, Pam Torlina, will lead the hike.

Hikers will travel along the Foothills trail, paralleling Laurel Creek, crisscrossing it at times, before reaching an 80-foot high waterfall near the shores of Lake Jocassee, Laurel Fork Falls. There may also be the opportunity to see the rare Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia) in bloom!

Parking is limited at this location and carpooling is mandatory. High clearance vehicles are recommended.

If you are interested in attending the hike on March 20, meet at the east end of the Spinx gas station in Gowensville, SC (address: 5598 N Hwy 14, Landrum, SC), at 8:30 a.m. to check in, arrange carpooling, and start the approximately 1 hour and 15 minute drive to the parking area. If you’re coming from an area closer to the trailhead, please contact Pam Torlina to make other meeting arrangements. Hikers should be prepared to return to the area in early to 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. Please be sure to bring any personal medication that you may require. 
In case of inclement weather, please contact Pam Torlina at 828-697-5777, ext. 300 or e-mail her at pam@conservingcarolina by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the hike and/or check the Conserving Carolina Facebook page to see if the hike will take place. 

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Conserving Carolina, your local land trust, is dedicated to protecting and stewarding land and water resources vital to our natural heritage and quality of life and to fostering appreciation and understanding of the natural world. For more info visit, www.conservingcarolina.org.

Submitted by Pam Torlina

Participants on the hike at the Green River Game Lands from March 6 (in no particular order) include: Delores Fletcher, Elizabeth Habel, Steve Habel, Mark Ware, Susan Arthur, Pamela Lee, Ann Bass, Mary Alm, Michael Granato, Deborah O’Donnell, Pam Williams, Judy Dykes, Phyllis Woollen, Lois Torlina, Dean Geier, Lynn Geier, Michelle Keyes, Ford Smith, Kent Purser, Barbara Sloss, Barbara Volk, Bob Bolton, Russ Jordan, Chris Olsen, Pilar Pain and Brenda Hudson.