A recent post of the Swannanoa Valley Museum and History Center on FaceBook shared a great sounding event.
Hike to headwaters of Catawba River on old wagon road.
Join us on Saturday, May 6th, for a hike on a section of one of the oldest wagon roads into the Valley from Old Fort. The hike starts at Arthur Joe and Mary Hemphill’s pavilion at Fortune Fields and follows the Old Wagon Road to Hungry Gap, just above where the Catawba River bubbles out of the ground at its source. Afterwards, there will be a campfire/cookout with stories from descendants of the first settlers of the valley. To learn more and to register, click here:
DETAILS:
Join us for this moderate 4.3 mile round trip hike on a section of one of the oldest wagon roads into the Valley from Old Fort. The hike starts at Arthur Joe and Mary Hemphill’s pavilion at Fortune Fields and follows the Old Wagon Road to Hungry Gap, just above where the Catawba River bubbles out of the ground at its source. Arthur Joe’s ancestor, Capt. Thomas Hemphill (1746-1826) was an original Revolutionary War patriot who owned part of this popular stage road up from Old Fort. Arthur Joe and Mary donated this large tract to conservation. Stick around after the hike for a campfire/cookout with stories from descendants of the first settlers of the valley. The hike will be led by Rick and Melinda Halford, who are the caretakers of the tract.
Cost: $50 for members/$65 for non-members. Some fees apply.
Difficulty: Moderate, 4.3 miles round-trip. Learn more here.
Please e-mail svmhikes@gmail.com with any inquiries.
Catawba Falls is near Old Fort, NC, just the other side of the continental divide from Black Mountain. It has been a popular hike and summer wading area, but was closed last summer for some changes, perhaps to make it more difficult for eager young people to fall and be injured. We're all hoping it will open again this summer.
Today's quote:
We can remember that today we can be a gift to each person we meet, just by looking at them with eyes of love. |
TERRY PATTEN |
Sounds like a nice hike, I guess the moderate hike can be hard at times. The Waterfall is pretty. Take care, enjoy you day!
ReplyDeleteI would love an easy hike, so that would be too hard for me. But I love that it's along the old wagon road. Hope the waterfall is open again this summer for those who like to cool off in it's pool.
Delete...watersheds are interesting to think about.
ReplyDeleteI never considered them until I joined the group working in my watershed for increasing it's health - for both nature and man.
DeleteSounds like an interesting hike. And what a beautiful waterfall!
ReplyDeleteIt has always been a favorite for the local folks...though I haven't gone there, I've seen where people park to walk in up the stream...which becomes the Catabaw River.
DeleteSounds like quite a hike.
ReplyDeleteI hope someone will post pictures!
DeleteI'd love to do that hike and find out the history and see that beautiful waterfall too.
ReplyDeleteIt sure will be a great experience for those who go for the hike. THey would have to come up the other direction to see the waterfall. But seeing the headwaters would be a great thing, I think!
DeleteThat sounds like a great hike to take there.
ReplyDelete