Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The hiking trails at Table Rock State Park are rated from Easy to Very Strenuous. The Table Rock National Recreational Trail, for example, ascends 2,000 feet to the granite dome at 3,124 feet and is rated at the top of the scale for skill and fitness. At the next Live@Lanier, however, you can experience the challenge from your chair, as well as easier nearby hiker destinations.

On Tuesday, February 18 at Noon, sit back as Jim Stehlik, author of Distilling the Mysteries of Hogback Mountain, and photographer Maggie Brooks join to lead you across miles of wilderness in comfort. Both are veteran hikers and know the way.

From west to east and up, Jim will share the history of the Blue Ridge Escarpment area. With more than 15 years of photographs, Maggie will illustrate the trip with the views of the mountains and waterfalls, wildlife and wild flowers.

“Hiking the Escarpment” is the latest in Lanier’s Felburn Nature and Wildlife Collection series. The program is free and open to the public. Members and visitors can also browse the collection downstairs in the Le Duc Room, The Lanier Library, 72 Chestnut Street in Tryon. Call 828-859-9535 or visit www.thelanierlibrary.org for more information.

 

Submitted by Vincent Verrecchio

 

Table Rock: a strenuous ascent to 3,124 feet (Photo by Maggie Brooks)