Station Cove Falls (Photo by Jeff Clark)

Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Wed., April 13, for an approximately 1-mile, easy walk on a PAC protected property to view a beautiful array of spring-blooming wildflowers; a display like nowhere else!

The walk will be guided by botanist, David Campbell, who will provide wildflower identification and other interesting trivia along the way.  Space is limited. Participants must sign up for this walk in order to attend, and no dogs are allowed.

Interested parties are asked to meet at 10:30 a.m. at the PAC office, at 850 N. Trade St., to check in and arrange carpooling before venturing to the nearby site; plan on returning around noon, or early afternoon.

Also, on Fri., April 15, join PAC for a 2.5-mile, easy hike at Oconee Station State Historic Site in South Carolina, part of PAC’s Spring Hiking Schedule. PAC Director of Stewardship and Land Protection Pam Torlina will lead the hike.

This hike will take the group around a pond at the historic site of Oconee Station, an old “block house” built in 1792. Then, hikers will enter Sumter National Forest as they journey to Station Cove Falls, a stepped, 60′ waterfall. Along the way, hikers can expect a spectacular show of countless wildflowers throughout the forest.

Those interested in the hike at Oconee Station State Historic Site 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 one hour drive to the Historic Site and should be prepared to return to the area in the mid-afternoon. Hikers should be prepared to pay park admission. S.C. park passes are accepted.

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

For both walks, participants should wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring plenty of water. For the April 15th hike, also 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 on the day of the hike, check the PAC website, www.pacolet.org or the PAC Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pacoletarea.conservancy, to see if the hike will take place.

-Submitted by Pam Torlina