Forest Bathing: How To Cleanse Your Spirit As a part of North Carolina’s Year of The Trail celebration, “Wellness and Trails” is the theme for August. In conjunction with that theme, this month’s blog is about Forest Bathing, which has become a popular activity for folks who love the outdoors. If you’re new to the concept, you’ll enjoy this fascinating interview we conducted with Dr. Mattie Decker, a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, mindfulness teacher and a retired professor of education. Q&A Q&A: Mattie, tell us a little about yourself. “I’m a lifelong educator who grew up in Savannah, Georgia. I got my teaching degree from Georgia State University and then went on to teach in rural Appalachia in northeast Georgia. Later, I spent ten years in Colorado. I’ve always had a deep connection with nature, and Colorado deepened that relationship. Ultimately, we moved to Arkansas where I finished my master’s thesis. I then went on to pursue my doctorate at the University of Memphis. Over the years, I’ve also spent a great amount of time in Finland, studying and researching their innovative teacher education program. In Norway, I became a certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide.” Q&A Q&A: What is forest bathing and how long has it been around? “Forest bathing is derived from the Japanese practice shinrin-yoku, which means forest bath. It was developed in the 80’s when Japan was in the midst of their tech boom. People were dying from a wide range of diseases in unprecedented numbers.... Read More
Memorable Road Rides: Wheely Fun Transylvania County has earned a worldwide — and well-deserved — reputation for itsspectacular mountain biking. Yet the road cycling opportunities here are just as rich, variedand rewarding, whether you’re a beginner to the sport, a dedicated club rider or a trainingprofessional. Here are three routes (easy, intermediate and challenging) that provide anexcellent introduction to two-wheeled travel in Transylvania County and give you theopportunity to celebrate North Carolina’s “Year of The Trail.” For more road cycling trails,check out Pisgah Map Company’s “Ride Transylvania” map, available here. 1. Easy Name: Walnut Hollow & East Fork River ValleyDistance: 26 milesElevation Gain: 1,542 feetType: Paved RoadStart: Downtown Brevard, Visitors Center Map and Elevation Profile Description: Are you short on time but want to get in a good workout? This popular route fits the bill. Leaving downtown Brevard, enjoy a pleasant six-mile warm up before encountering the legendary climb up Walnut Hollow. But take heart: from the top of thisone-mile climb (average 7.6% gradient), it’s an invigorating descent down to the East Fork of the French Broad River and a scenic valley ride to Rosman and back to Brevard. 2. Intermediate Name: Headwaters LoopLevel: Easy-IntermediateDistance: 20.4 milesElevation Gain: 1,815 feetType: RoadStart: Champion Park, Rosman Map and Elevation Profile Description: While short, this route in the western part of Transylvania County possesses all the qualities that make the “Land of Waterfalls” such a special place to tour. You’ll find convenient parking at Champion Park in Rosman where this ride begins. Along... Read More
Come to Your Senses When you venture into the woods to celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail, we want you to have the richest and most rewarding experience possible. That’s why we’ve enlisted the help of Torry Nergart, conservation easement manager at Conserving Carolina, to give us some insights on how you can get the most from your time on Transylvania County’s treasured trails. Q&A Q&A: Torry, why is it important to try and engage all five senses when you’re enjoying the outdoors? “When I think about engaging the senses, I think about all five of them working together collectively. You could call that ‘mindfulness,’ and one of the easiest places to do that is in the forest. When we find natural connections, it gives us what we’re missing from modern living.” “Personally, I have to burn off a little energy before I can be more mindful. So, I do a trail run or bike a little bit. Both of these activities have a way of burning off a little of the busy-ness. It kind of rattles out the distractions. Then, I’m prepared to take a deep breath and engage all my senses.” Q&A Q&A: What are some plant and animal smells and scents we should be aware of when in the woods? “It’s interesting. When you’re trying to disconnect from the real world, you’re not turning anything off – you’re actually turning on your senses. And that’s especially true for the sense of smell.... Read More
Wildflower Walks Some hiking trails offer big surprises – like hidden waterfalls or dramatic vistas – but some offer smaller, more intimate experiences that can be equally satisfying. Throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains, and specifically in Transylvania County, a wide variety of wildflowers lend vibrant color to our coves and hollows from early spring to late autumn. We talked to two wildflower experts, Rosemarie Shannon Knoll and Marianne Weaver to come up with four outstanding wildflower hikes for you to enjoy during North Carolina’s Year of the Trail. It’s a great way to enjoy Mother Nature in her role as landscape artist, nonpariel. Tip: A good wildflower guide is an ideal companion for these walks. There are several excellent guides available, but we’re partial to Rosemarie Shannon Knoll’s superb series, which includes Wildflowers of the Blue Ridge Parkwayand Pisgah National Forest, Wildflower Quick Reference Guideand Wildflowers and Watefalls of DuPont State Recreational Forest. All three titles are available at High Falls Publishing. Art Loeb Trail, Pisgah National Forest DESCRIPTIONAn easy out and back walk of two miles, this spring wildflower walk is close to the entrance of Pisgah National Forest near the Davidson River Campground. The path follows the Art Loeb Trail along the Davidson River. WHAT MAKES IT SPECIALAccording to Rosemarie: “This easy to walk trail is covered with a beautiful carpet of wildflowers in April and May including Trillium, Bloodroot, Toothwort, and a variety of Violets. You will also see Mayapple, Trout Lily, Little Brown Jug, and... Read More
Going With The Flow. Often, people think of trails as winding routes across terra firma. Yet the truth is, rivers are the original trails – carved by Mother Nature over eons, they journey across the land following the path of least resistance, resulting in surprises around just about every bend. As we celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail, we want to honor Transylvania County’s first trail: the French Broad River, third oldest river in the world, and its many tributaries. To take us on this journey, we caught up with Jack Henderson, MountainTrue’s French Broad Paddle Trail Manager. Enjoy this Q & A with a passionate advocate for the French Broad River. (Editor’s note: We have paraphrased and edited this interview for brevity.) Q&A Q&A: Tell us a little about yourself, Jack. I’ve been living in western North Carolina since 2010 and have worked for a variety of recreation and conservation groups with focus upon public access and natural resource protection. Prior to joining MountainTrue, I was with RiverLink. Along with Hartwell Carson, who is the Riverkeeper for the French Broad, I help manage the French Broad River Paddle Trail. Q&A Q&A: What makes the French Broad River such a significant, meaningful body of water? It flows from its headwaters within Transylvania County to the confluence with the Holston River where it forms the Tennessee River. It covers a wide variety of ecological, cultural, geological and topographical components in a relatively small physical space. Q&A Q&A: What makes... Read More
Waterfalls Worth the Hike One of the great joys of hiking in Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and Gorges State Park is that there is often a “reward” for your effort: a stunning view, an interesting geological formation or, as the subject of this blog attests, a waterfall. Here are four hikes that will make all that leg work worth it. 4 1 Rainbow FallsPisgah National Forest (with access from Gorges State Park) Recent improvements at Gorges State Park have made this trek a delight. From the parking area at Grassy Ridge, the well-groomed trail descends to the stunning Horsepasture River. When you reach the river, turn right. The trail becomes steeper, but the effort is worth it. The trail skirts around Rainbow Falls, offering up a great view. If you’ve got energy to burn, continue up river to Turtle Back Falls and Drift Falls — a waterfall trifecta! Distance: 3.9 miles roundtripTrails: Grassy Ridge AccessStarting Point: Grassy Ridge Parking Area, Gorges State Park. Directions to trailhead: From downtown Brevard, go west on US 64 toward Sapphire for 18.2 miles. Turn left on NC 281 and go .7 miles. Turn left into park entrance. Proceed to the Grassy Ridge parking lot. All Trails Link 2 2 Twin FallsPisgah National Forest A beautiful, moderate hike delivers you to this doubly satisfying cascade deep in Pisgah National Forest. If you’re looking for a wintertime hike, this one fits the bill, as the views are best when the leaves are... Read More
Leave it Better As you venture forth into our woods and waterways during the Year of the Trail, we invite you to learn more about our “Leave It Better” program. Based on the national “Leave No Trace” principles, “Leave It Better” is designed to inspire explorers of our bountiful natural wonders to leave the land and water better than they found it. This easy-to-follow six-step checklist is something you can put into practice anywhere you roam. Happy trails! 1 1 Pick It Up. Pick up not just what you packed in, but all that you see. Millions of pounds of trash are left behind in our public lands every year. Keep an eye out for litter and be sure to come prepared with gloves and trash bags to assist with safe collection. 2 2 Pitch In. For every 10 hours you spend in the great outdoors, give one hour of service, or donate to an organization that supports public lands. Balancing the amount of time spent enjoying the outdoors with time spent giving back will not only reduce your impact, but also the impact of others. Find a local organization that focuses on an issue that resonates with you, and volunteer or provide a donation to make a difference. 3 3 Prepare Yourself. Leaving it better starts before your visit. Educate yourself on local rules, safety regulations, and trail policies before you visit public lands. Prepare yourself by checking trail closures and weather on the day of your trip. Pack... Read More
Kid Friendly Transylvania County is an ideal vacation destination for families. And if you’re looking to celebrate North Carolina’s Year of the Trail with your young ones, we’ve got some terrific family-friendly hikes that are short in distance but long on rewards. Each of the following short treks makes for a great introduction to the wonders of our natural environment. 1 1 Moore Cove FallsPisgah National Forest Cruise across small streams and amid hillsides covered in ferns to this lovely grotto-like waterfall. There’s very little elevation gain on this trail, making it a perfect option for families with young adventurers. Note: This is a popular hike with limited parking. On summer and fall weekends we recommend hiking this one earlier in the morning (before 10 am) or later in the afternoon (after 4 pm). Distance: 1.2 miles (Out and back)Starting point: Moore Cove Falls Trailhead Directions to Trailhead: From the intersection of US 276, NC 280 and US 64 in Pisgah Forest, head north on US 276 for 6.7 miles to the parking area on the right. Hike a footbridge over the Davidson River and follow a well-marked trail to the falls. All Trails Link 2 2 Andy Cove Nature TrailPisgah National Forest This little gem of a trail is a pure delight, no matter how young or old you are. After a short initial climb, the trail winds its way back into scenic Andy Cove via a footpath and several cantilevered boardwalks. Mid-way, you’ll reach a cool 30-foot... Read More
Taps & Trails Brevard and Transylvania County serve up incredible mountain biking and amazing craft beers. So, what better way to ring in North Carolina’s Year of the Trail than with a “Taps and Trails” pairing. We’ve picked five trails and matched them with five brews that share similar characteristics. We called on avid mountain biker and in-the-know beer connoisseur Ben Hardy to help us out. 1 1 Pairing #1 Brewery: Brevard Brewing CompanyBeer: Bohemian Pilsner, 4.9% ABVTrail: Ridgeline, DuPont State Recreational Forest Why they go well together:“Ridgeline is a classic local trail in DuPont. It’s probably on the top five list of anyone who’s ever ridden around Brevard, and you’ll quickly understand why. Ridgeline is all fun and flow. Riders of any skill level should find plenty of enjoyment. The trail has enough whoops and berms to keep it exciting, but it’s smooth and gentle all the way down.” “BBC’s Bohemian Pilsner is a classic style brewed with respect to tradition. It’s the perfect refresher after a day of riding, guaranteed to keep the fun rolling. Just like Ridgeline, this beer is a smooth character, packed with flavor, but not over the top. You’ll want to keep it flowin’.” About Ridgeline About Brevard Brewing Company: Opened in 2012, BBC holds the distinction of being Brevard’s first craft brewery. It’s also notable for the dedication and passion owner and brew master Kyle Williams brings to all his creations. He has a special soft spot for German lagers and pilsners... Read More
Take A Walk On The Wild Side Headwaters State Forest: A Conservation Laboratory North Carolina’s newest state forest was founded in 2018 and represents another iconic destination in Transylvania County. In terms of beauty and features, it’s on par with Pisgah, DuPont and Gorges. However, its remote location and limited access make it a more appropriate destination for adventurers with good wilderness and map-reading skills. We caught up with Assistant Regional Forester Michael Cheek, who oversees this 6,730 acre mountain wonderland for the North Carolina Forest Service to help us understand the importance of Headwaters and the opportunities for visitors to enjoy its unique topography and features — especially as we celebrate North Carolina’s “Year of the Trail.” Q&A Q&A: Michael, what’s distinctive about Headwaters? “Headwaters is located right along the edge of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the South Carolina border. It’s very remote and has a very “back country” feel to it. You’ll find plenty of trails and lots of solitude.” Q&A Q&A: What’s the key mission of Headwaters State Forest? “Certainly, recreation is a part of it, but our primary focus is on the conservation of the headwater streams that feed into the East Fork of the French Broad River. There are over a dozen named streams feeding into the East Fork, totaling some 50 miles. That’s where our clean drinking water comes from, and these headwater streams are key to that. Part of our mission is also to demonstrate good forestry practices – to show... Read More
Five Fabulous Hikes There’s no better place to celebrate the Year of the Trail than our little corner of the world. Here in Transylvania County, you can choose to hit the trail in a national forest (Pisgah), a state park (Gorges), two state forests (DuPont and Headwaters) or a charming small town (Brevard). All told, there are more than over a hundred thousand acres of lush woodlands here. An afternoon hike in our part of the world will either soothe your soul or stretch your spirit depending on your path. Below you’ll find five not-to-be-missed hikes. 4 5 Pink Beds Loop Pisgah National Forest Here’s your chance to marvel at the capabilities of the irrepressible “castor canadensis” (more commonly known as the North American beaver) to transform a landscape. This mostly flat 5 mile trail works around bogs and ponds created by these industrious engineers. This high-elevation valley is ideal for a casual ramble. You’ll see lots of native wildflowers and ferns along the way. Be sure to visit the Forest Discovery Center at the nearby Cradle of Forestry, too. Reach the trailhead by entering Pisgah National Forest on US276 and drive north 11.4 miles. Parking is on the right. Level: EasyDistance: 5 milesTrail: Pink Beds LoopStarting Point: Picnic area of Pink Beds Directions: From intersection of US-276/US-64/NC-280, enter Pisgah National Forest. Go 11.4 miles on US-276 North. Turn right into Pink Beds Picnic Area. X 4 4 John Rock Pisgah National Forest John Rock is a local favorite, and with good... Read More
Horsin’ Around Mount Up For A Great Equestrian Experience in Brevard Brevard and Transylvania County’s extensive trail systems have famously offered both cyclists and hikers a whole world of exciting paths to take and places to explore. You don’t, however, always need hiking boots or handlebars to celebrate the Year of the Trail in Brevard’s forests. The equestrian-inclined will find multiple opportunities to get their tails on the trails with the help of four-footed friends, who rarely say “neigh” to a little exploring. Experienced riders have celebrated Brevard’s multiple equestrian options for years, but novices will also find many opportunities to enjoy getting in on the “mane” event. All three of the area’s public lands — Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Recreational Forest, and Gorges State Park — have horse-friendly trails. By and large, the trails are clearly marked, but it’s recommended that you do a little research in advance on where horses are welcome before you hoof it into the wilderness. Left your pony at home? No worries. Several local stables will be happy to help you find a suitable horse, gear, and a trail guide to lead you. These include: Pisgah Forest Stables | Rusty Spur Trail Rides | Whitewater Equestrian Center Once you hit the trail, here are some tips to keep in mind whether you are hiking, biking,or horsing around: 1 1 Everyone: Be friendly and aware. That means keeping an eye ahead and an ear on your surroundings.... Read More
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