Corinne Fretwell hikes at Hickory Nut Gorge (Photo courtesy of CMLC)
Take the Challenge: Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy Invites You to Get Outside
By Katie Onheiber
Western North Carolina is a bit of a showoff in the fall. Our rolling mountainsides light up in warm hues of yellow, orange and red. The thick humidity dissipates and we’re greeted with crisp, cool air—prime conditions for getting outside. The Pardee & Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy (CMLC) White Squirrel Hiking Challenge aims to help you take that first step…and several more.
Sponsored by Pardee UNC Healthcare and in its fourth iteration, the White Squirrel Hiking Challenge features eight hikes on CMLC-conserved lands—up mountains, over streams, through forests and back. There is something for everyone, from gentle jaunts to more strenuous climbs. Enjoy expansive views, blooming wildflowers, tumbling waterfalls and hallowed historical grounds while getting some fresh air and experiencing our region’s protected lands.
“There are so many amazing places to hike in Western North Carolina that, at times, I find myself overwhelmed with all the possibilities,” shares Cheryl Cawley, who already has Hiking Challenges 2 and 3 under her belt. “The White Squirrel Challenges give me focus and achievable goals so that, instead of spending hours researching and deciding where to hike, I can just set the driving directions and save the trail description on my phone and away I go.”
Why the white squirrel? The curiously colored critter is a regionally unique wildlife oddity found on several of CMLC’s conserved lands. Its residency evokes great pride among those that call the southern Blue Ridge Mountains home. In addition to its role as a local symbol, the white squirrel represents some of the natural resources protected by CMLC: wildlife, habitat and biodiversity. Over the decades, the white squirrel has expanded its territory throughout Western North Carolina, and now has found its way into the Hiking Challenge.
The Pardee & CMLC White Squirrel Hiking Challenge encourages outdoor enthusiasts—and anyone interested in keeping our mountains beautiful—to explore and discover our treasured landscapes while staying active and healthy. Since 2011, White Squirrel Hiking Challenges have taken nature lovers on more than 5,000 individual hikes. Proudly, 450 hikers have completed the Challenges. Champions run the gamut from four to 81 years old and from novice to experienced hikers.
“A big part of what we do is connecting our community to what’s here in our backyard,” says Peter Barr, CMLC’s trails and recreational lands coordinator. “Spending time in nature—whether it’s a post-work stroll or a full-day hike—is an easy and rewarding escape from our technology-saturated lives. It’s therapy that won’t cost you a thing.”
While most of the hikes within the Hiking Challenge are on publicly accessible lands, several of the Challenge hikes are on conservation easement properties that remain privately owned. “CMLC greatly appreciates the cooperation and support of these landowners, who are very generous to open their property to the public for hiking,” says Kieran Roe, CMLC’s executive director. “In return for the privilege, they ask that visitors support land conservation by being members of CMLC.”
Once all eight hikes in the Challenge are completed, hikers receive the coveted white squirrel embroidered hiking patch, a $10 gift certificate to Mast General Store and a certificate of completion. Best of all, each participant is helping to protect why we love it here. Our rich and lush forests, round and welcoming mountains, fresh and flowing waters and expansive and wildflower-speckled meadows are irreplaceable.
“It’s a tremendous feeling of freedom to breathe this fresh air, look up at the sky through the trees, and hear the trickle or gush of water over rocks,” says Cawley.
Pardee & Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy Hiking Challenge 4 Lineup
Bearwallow Mountain
Climb the most iconic and scenic peak in Henderson County to enjoy a 360 degree view from the summit meadow.
Distance: 2 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
DuPont State Forest: Grassy Creek Falls
Escape the crowds by hiking to DuPont’s beautiful, lesser-known waterfall.
Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Fryingpan Mountain Lookout Tower
Owned by the US Forest Service, the breathtaking vantage point from this historic fire lookout near the Blue Ridge Parkway provides a birds-eye view of thousands of acres of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy conserved land.
Distance: 1.4 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Headwaters State Forest
Take an adventure along the Foothills Trail in North Carolina’s newest state forest to a stunning, secret mountain vista.
Distance: 5.2 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Rhododendron Lake Nature Park
An easy “walk in the park” circumnavigates historic Rhododendron Lake in Laurel Park, showcasing a restored stream. Distance: 0.5 miles round-trip Difficulty: Easy The Park at Flat Rock Walk, run or bike the loop trail in Flat Rock’s new village park.
Distance: 1.5 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy
Wildcat Rock
Ascend Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy’s newest trail in the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge, beyond 100-foot Little Bearwallow Falls, to an expansive view atop a scenic rock outcropping.
Distance: 3.8 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
Your Choice:
Little Bearwallow Mountain
Climb beyond Wildcat Rock to the top of Little Bearwallow on the second part of Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy’s newest trail in the Upper Hickory Nut Gorge.
Distance: 5.8 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Strenuous
-Or-
French Broad River Paddle/Float
Float or paddle on the venerable French Broad River, starting or finishing at the new Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy-facilitated Horse Shoe River Access Park.
Distance: 3.8 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Are you ready to get outside? To sign-up for the Pardee & CMLC White Squirrel Hiking Challenge, visit carolinamountain.org/hc4. Katie Onheiber is the communications and marketing manager at Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy. Learn more about our local land trusts and find the conservancy nearest to you at ctnc.org.
