Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) on Friday, April 14, for an approximately 5.5-mile, moderate/strenuous, out and back hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP).  PAC’s Director of Stewardship and Land Protection, Pam Torlina, will lead the hike.

From the park entrance at Cataloochee, the hike will follow the historic Asbury Trail along the park’s boundary with the Appalachian Ranger District of Pisgah National Forest. The trail is named for the Methodist bishop, Francis Asbury. In the 19th century, Asbury brought his traveling ministry to this area. This trail that Asbury travelled was a known Cattalucha Indian track. Later, after the establishment of the GSMNP, the Civilian Conservation Corps erected a fence along the park boundary and portions of it still remain. This portion of Asbury Trail offers beautiful winter views of the surrounding mountains and along the way hikers will enjoy emerging wildflowers and the sounds of spring.

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

Hikers are asked to meet at the BI-LO in Columbus at 8:30 a.m. to check in and start the approximately one-hour drive to the Cataloochee entrance into the GSMNP. Hikers should be prepared to return to the area in the late-afternoon.    

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, please contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike, check the PAC website, pacolet.org, and/or the PAC Facebook page, facebook.com/pacoletarea.conservancy, to see if the hike will take place.

If you cannot make this hike but would like to attend future hikes, visit PACs website or go to PACs Facebook page for information on additional upcoming hikes.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina