Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, April 26 for a 6-mile hike at DuPont State Forest, the fifth hike of PAC’s spring hiking series.

PAC Land Protection Specialist Pam Torlina will lead the easy/moderate, loop hike to Bridal Veil Falls.

This loop trail leads to Bridal Veil Falls along Little River, the site of two movies: The Last of the Mohicans and The Hunger Games. Bridal Veil Falls begins as a slide which drops over an approximately 10’ ledge. The river flows smoothly down a long, sloping granite outcrop then plunges into small pools and large rock slabs at the bottom. After visiting Bridal Veil Falls, the trail leads to Lake Julia, a 99-acre lake on the property. Then, the trail leads across an airstrip that was built while the property was privately owned; it was used by the DuPont Corporation to fly in clients and company officials. From the airstrip, there are great views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Mt. Pisgah. Finally, the trail leads past Fawn Lake before returning the parking area.

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

Hikers will be meeting at the Bi-Lo in Columbus at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximate 1-hour drive to the trailhead. 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. Hikers should be prepared to return to the area by 3 p.m., at the latest. In case of inclement weather, please contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike to see if the hike will take place.

Also, please mark your calendar and plan to join PAC for the upcoming ninth annual PACWalk for Preservation and third Annual PACRun 5K Trail Run on Saturday, May 4. The event will be held at Tryon Estates, 619 Laurel Lake Dr., Columbus. PACRun starts at 8 a.m. and PACWalk begins at 10 a.m. Come help PAC preserve our mountains, farms, forests, waterways and green spaces. For more information, visit PAC’s website, www.pacolet.org, where a registration form can be printed, or call PAC at 828-859-5060 or e-mail: info@pacolet.org.  You can also register for PACRun online at www.strictlyrunning.com.

PAC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation organization (land trust) founded in 1989 to protect and conserve the area’s natural resources (PAC’s mission). PAC works with area landowners to ensure the long-term protection of their property through voluntary conservation easements (agreements) which enable landowners to maintain ownership of their property, preserving precious natural resources (open lands, forests, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, farmland, stream banks, etc.), and potentially obtain significant federal, state, and local tax benefits. PAC’s vision is a community living and growing in harmony with our natural heritage and a goal to provide a legacy that will endure and be valued by generations to come. PAC works diligently to provide leadership to encourage conservation and provide education programs emphasizing responsible land use practices to help – save the places you love.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina