Outdoor enthusiasts and hikers are invited to join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) Friday, Nov. 11.  This is a moderate 4-mile hike at Walnut Creek Preserve. Babs Strickland, owner and manager of Walnut Creek Preserve, will start the hike from the new Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center located within the preserve.

The trail leads hikers through the preserve’s varied natural resource areas, along a loop that follows Walnut Creek and several of its tributaries. The preserve is private land and the public is allowed on the property by invitation only.

The 2,100 acre Walnut Creek Preserve contains two-miles of Walnut Creek, including a waterfall and more than 25 tributaries to Walnut Creek, most of which originate on the preserve.

The preserve is comprised of forests and pastureland and is home to a variety of indigenous plant life, including rare and threatened species, as well as a wealth of animal life.

Hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear, bring a bag lunch and/or snack, plenty of water and any personal medication. In case of inclement weather, contact the PAC office by 8:15 a.m. on the day of the hike to see if the hike will take place.

Contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at 828-859-5060 or email landprotection@pacolet.org. Hikers will meet in Columbus at the Bi-Lo parking lot at 8:30 a.m. or at McGuinn’s Exxon (located at the intersection of N.C. Hwy. 9 and McGuinn Road) at 9 a.m.

PAC welcomes last-minute participants. If you cannot make this hike, visit www.pacolet.org or follow PAC’s Facebook.

– article submitted by Pam Torlina