BRP Ranger Hike: Black Balsam Knob

Blue Ridge Parkway rangers will be leading a moderate, one-mile hike along the Art Loeb Trail to the summit of Black Balsam Knob in the Pisgah National Forest tomorrow. The hike begins at 10 a.m. and will climb to an elevation of 6,214 feet.

The guided, one to two-hour roundtrip hike through alpine-like terrain will begin approximately 0.8 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway on Forest Service Road 816, roughly a mile south of Graveyard Fields near Milepost 420.

Hikers should bring water, wear good hiking shoes, and be prepared for unpredictable mountain weather. For additional information, call 828-298-5330, ext. 304.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

SAHC purchases land in the Highlands of Roan

The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy recently announced the purchase of 62.5 acres in the Roaring Creek Valley of the Roan Highlands, thus preserving Golden-winged Warbler habitat, scenic views from the Appalachian Trail, and waterfalls.

SAHC purchased the two tracts of land using a $95,000 grant awarded under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act, along with bridge loans and a private donation. The two tracts totalled more than $500,000.

The land includes 50 acres of rare neotropical migratory bird habitat.

The conservation group was one of 37 organizations chosen throughout the Western Hemisphere to receive funding, which totaled more than $4.9 million in 2010.

The organization plans to sell the land to the U.S. Forest Service for inclusion in the Pisgah National Forest, which already shares a mile long boundary with the tracts.

In addition to protecting the scenic views from the Appalachian Trail, the Overland Mountain Victory National Historic Trail passes through the two tracts.

Also, in 2007, Backpacker Magazine named the Roaring Creek Valley as the most scenic valley in America. Please click here to read the full press release.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

New TRACK Trail in Pisgah National Forest opens Saturday

A grand opening of a new TRACK Trail adventure for children will be held at the Pisgah Ranger Station on Saturday.

The Pisgah Ranger District TRACK (Trails, Ridges & Active, Caring Kids) Trail is the third new TRACK Trail opened through the Kids In Parks TRACK Trails initiative.

The opening ceremony begins at 10:15 a.m. at Pisgah District Headquarters (on US 276 near Brevard). Children’s activities and guided hikes being held from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

TRACK Trail adventures are designed to help kids explore nature through the use of self-guided brochures.

The TRACK program is superimposed on existing trail systems and includes numerous adventures for kids to experience.

The Andy Cove Nature Trail on the Pisgah District is being used for this latest TRACK Trail. Motivational incentives or 'prizes' for participation are provided through registration on the web page, www.kidsinparks.com. In this manner, not only are participants motivated to experience the first trail, they are prompted to either return or visit another TRACK trail segment in order to achieve the next reward.

Other TRACK trails are already located in Chimney Rock State Park and at the Blue Ridge Parkway's Visitor Center at milepost 384.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Forest Service may increase recreation area fees

The U.S. Forest Service is proposing increasing or establishing user fees at some recreation areas in the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests.

The agency is asking the public to comment on the proposals, which include entrance fee increases to the Roan Mountain Recreation Area and the Sliding Rock Recreation Area, as well as the implementation of a fee for the first time at the Wolf Ford Campground in Pisgah National Forest.

Other proposals include user fee increases at beaches, shooting ranges and several off-highway trail systems.

“Without the fee, two things would happen: We would not maintain them (the recreation areas) to the level people expect and deserve; and we would not be able to add amenities that people ask for,” said Candace Wyman, a spokeswoman for the National Forests in North Carolina. “The fees do not cover all the costs, but they certainly help.”

For more information on the proposals, and to comment, please click here.




Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Invasive plants along the Appalachian Trail

Throughout the month of May the Carolina Mountain Club will be hosting informational workshops concerning the problems associated with invasive plants along the Appalachian Trail.

The workshops will be taught by expert instructors who will discuss the problem of invasive exotic plants, threats to native biodiversity, identification of 12 to 15 plants of particular concern, and management techniques used along the Appalachian Trail.

A workshop will be held on each Saturday throughout the month of May and will include a hike along various sections of the Appalachian Trail in the Pisgah National Forest, including hikes beginning from Lemon Gap, Sam's Gap and Roan Mountain.

The first workshop is tomorrow. Click here for the schedule and contact information.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.