Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, March 4, for an approximately five-mile, moderate hike at Camp Old Indian. PAC board member, Liz Dicey, will lead the hike accompanied by director of Stewardship and Land Protection, Pam Torlina.

Camp Old Indian is 1,100 acres owned by Boy Scouts of America and operated by the Blue Ridge Council. Technically, it is located in Travelers Rest, S.C., but is situated just north of Hwy. 11, near Glassy Mountain. The camp is used by Boy Scouts year round, but there are miles of hiking trails that are open to the public.

Join PAC for a hike along the Camp’s East Perimeter Trail, passing a couple of lakes on the property, South Carolina’s third largest Yellow Poplar, and a waterfall.  Then the group will head up the Old Indian Trail to the peak of Old Indian Mountain (2,200 feet) before heading back to the trailhead.  Before full leaf out, the trail offers beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

After the hike, participants are invited to visit Poinsett Bridge Natural Heritage Area to view the oldest bridge in South Carolina. Poinsett Bridge was built in 1820 and named after Joel Poinsett, an early resident of Greenville, S.C. and a U.S. ambassador to Mexico. The bridge was part of the state road that connected Charleston with the North Carolina mountains.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at Camp Old Indian, please 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 Spinx gas station in Gowensville, at the intersection of Hwy. 14 and Hwy. 11, at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximately 15- minute drive to Camp Old Indian. 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. Please be sure to bring any personal medication that you may require.

In case of inclement weather, please contact the PAC office by 8:15 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 PAC’s website or Facebook page for information on upcoming hikes.

The next hike takes place on March 18 at Pleasant Ridge Park in South Carolina.

-Submitted by Pam Torlina