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185 Acres of Wilderness Exploration! Norman Wilder Forest was first opened to the public in September 2001. This beautiful natural resource consists of 185 protected acres of mature third growth mixed hardwood forest located on the steep slopes of Little Warrior Mountain. Trails wind through beautiful vistas and provide hikers with a leafy canopy of shade trees and stunning views of sheer rock walls. Bridges, steps, and trails make this a most enjoyable moderate hike of approximately 2-3 miles. |
Norman Wilder Forest Rules: Daylight hours only. Trails for foot traffic only. Please stay on marked trails. Take only photographs Leave only footprints |
To see the Trail Map, Click Here: Norman Wilder Forest Trail Map
To see the Bird Check List, Click Here: Norman Wilder Forest Bird Check List
Directions:
From Spartanburg Take I-26 West, Exit at ‘Tryon Columbus’ (exit 67). Turn right into traffic circle. Continue across the bridge & exit right, Out of the circle, onto HWY 108, toward Tryon, then take HWY 176 west toward Saluda to the parking area/trail head on the right, just past Riverview Road.
From Hendersonville Take I-26 East, Exit at ‘Saluda 176’ (exit 59). Turn right on Ozone Drive. Go approximately 1 mile. Turn left on HWY 176. Continue on 176 to parking area/trail head on the left side of the road, near Valhalla, just past Tau Rock Vineyard Road.
Parking is available both at the trail head of Hwy 176 and on Tau Rock Vinyard Road.
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Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary:
“Wander along this woodland path to commune with nature and the inner self.” Dr. Robert L. Shuford
Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary is located within the town of Columbus in Polk County, NC and offers a mixed hardwood forest transected by Weaver Branch, creating perfect habitat for birds, plants, and wildlife. There are three loop trails, including a Self Guided Nature Trail, that provide hikers with opportunities for short or long walks. The Sanctuary trails also link with the St. Luke's Hospital Tom Raymond Fitness Trail which links to the Isothermal Community College trail system.
Originally a royal land grant, and now protected forever by the Pacolet Area Conservancy, the Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary honors Helen Shuford. The public is invited to enjoy the Wildlife Sanctuary along nature trails established by PAC.
Sanctuary Rules:
Hours are from dawn to dusk.
Please stay on marked trails.
Take only photographs.
Leave only footprints.
No vehicles, no littering.
Dogs to be kept under owner’s control.
Respect nature
Enjoy.
To see the Trail Map, Click Here: Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary-Trail Map
To see the Self Guided Nature Trail Map, Click Here: Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary-Self Guided Nature Trail
To see the Bird Check List, Click Here: Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary Bird Check List
Directions:
From the the Town of Columbus: Go west on Route 108. Go approximately ¼ mile. Take a left on Shuford Drive. Look to your right for the parking area and trail sign.
From the Town of Tryon: Go east on Route 108. Before I-26 Take a right on Shuford Drive. Look to your right for the parking area and sign.
Trail heads can be accessed from Shuford Drive and from the Tom Raymond Fitness Trail behind St. Luke’s Hospital.
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Special thanks to Tommy Lytle and Phillip Holbert for their kind donations and hard work sprucing up the parking area at Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary (and for making it safer)!
On September 24th a group of PAC volunteers (Tommy Lytle, Alan Leonard, Nadine Naujoks, Wally Hughes, and Barbara and Rob Hall-thank you all!) and PAC LPS, Pam Torlina, met to do trail maintenance on the trail system and noted a large, dead oak branch in the center of the parking area. This caused some concern for safety. Well, Tommy Lytle got right on it and contacted his friend, Phillip Holbert.
On October 5th, Phillip Holbert cut down three large, dead oaks that were threatening cars in the parking area, as well as hikers heading out on the trail! Phillip was very careful and conscientious about creating minimal disturbance to the land and surrounding vegetation. He did a fabulous job! He even chipped the tops of the trees onto the parking area and smoothed it out, and he framed in the parking area, preventing cars from circling the large oaks still living within the parking area. He even made a cute bench for people to sit on and enjoy the sights and sounds of the Sanctuary!
(That's Gail Stockdale in the photos above.)
PACs Norman Wilder Forest and Weaverbarton Shuford Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary Trails are located along the North Carolina Birding Trail.
