Celebrate Earth Day with the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, April 21, for an approximately 4-5 mile, moderate hike at the PAC protected, Walnut Creek Preserve (WCP).   This is a cooperative hike with participants from PAC, Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC), and Keith Viglietta’s hiking group.

This hike will be led by Babs Strickland, owner and manager of Walnut Creek Preserve, and the trails will lead hikers through the Preserve’s varied natural resource areas. Participants will enjoy the trails at WCP and stop to enjoy the many wildflowers that should be blooming at this time. The Preserve is private land and the public is only allowed on the property by invitation, so take advantage of this unique opportunity to enjoy the serenity of this beautiful property.

Those interested are asked to meet at the Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve at 9:30 a.m. for a short tour and talk about the nature center and the preserve.  The hike will take place on the preserve from approximately 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a break for a snack/lunch at around 11:30 a.m. No dogs are permitted.

To get to Walnut Creek Preserve’s Nature Center from the Tryon and Columbus area, take Hwy. 108 E. and turn left on Hwy. 9 toward Lake Lure. Follow Hwy. 9 N. for five miles and turn right onto McGuinn Road (at the Exxon Station). Go one mile to the intersection with Big Level Road; turn left, go 2/10ths of a mile and take the first right onto Aden Green Road. Follow Aden Green for 4/10ths of a mile and turn left on Wood Thrush Lane and into Walnut Creek Preserve. Take the first left onto Conservatory Lane, which takes you to the parking area for the nature center. GPS coordinates to the Nature Center are available at the PAC website and directions can be obtained on Google Maps by searching “Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center.” 

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

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, contact the PAC office by 8:45 a.m. on the day of the hike, check pacolet.org, and/or facebook.com/pacoletarea.conservancy to see if the hike will take place.

– article submitted

by Pam Torlina