The Narrows at Eastatoe Creek (Photo by Pam Torlina)

Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, April 22, Earth Day, for a 3.8 mile, moderate/strenuous hike at Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve. This hike is rescheduled from the originally scheduled April 1 date and is part of PAC’s Spring Hiking Series. PAC Director of Stewardship and Land Protection Pam Torlina will lead the out and back hike.

Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve is a 374-acre preserve located within the larger Jocassee Gorges Natural Area and it is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.  The preserve consists primarily of the steep mountain gorge of Eastatoe Creek. Within the preserve, Eastatoe Creek drops 600 feet in elevation, flowing over large rocks and boulders before plunging through a series of narrow channels creating a beautiful waterfall, aptly called “The Narrows,” near the southern end of the preserve.

The trail is fairly easy for most of the way but it drops steeply as it descends the gorge to Eastatoe Creek in the last half-mile. There are switchbacks and stairs to help make this portion of the hike a little easier but the group will be returning the same way, so that means that there is a hike back up the gorge, making up the strenuous portion of the hike. Participants will not only enjoy the beautiful waterfall, but also the lovely wooded forest and emerging spring foliage.

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

On the hike, participants should wear appropriate clothing and footwear, bring plenty of water and bring a bag lunch and/or snack. 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 a.m. on the day of the hike, check the PAC website, www.pacolet.org and/or the PAC Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pacoletareaconservancy, to see if the hike will take place.

-Submitted by Pam Torlina