Pacolet Area Conservancy
850 N. Trade Street
Tryon, NC 28782

Phone: 828-859-5060
Email: info@pacolet.org

 

PAC received a grant from The Polk County Community Foundation which helped PAC to secure an option to purchase the organization's office space in Tryon. PAC hopes to be able to make its home permanent some time in the next 3 years. Thanks to our local foundation!

 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events/Hikes...

 

PAC Kicks off its Spring Hiking Series Friday, February 17th!

Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC) for five Friday hikes offered this spring, starting February 17th! 

February 17th: Peter’s Creek Heritage Trust Preserve, a 3.6-mile, easy to moderate loop hike

(see the description below)

March 2nd: Paris Mountain State Park, a 4-mile, moderate loop hike; $2 park fee

March 16th: Chestnut Ridge Heritage Preserve, a 5.5-mile moderate to strenuous, out & back hike

March 30th: Rainbow Falls in Jones Gap State Park, a 5-mile, strenuous out & back hike; $2 park fee

April 13th: Green River Game Lands, a 6-mile, moderate to strenuous loop hike 

SATURDAY, April 21st: PAC protected Norman Wilder Forest. PAC Land Protection Specialist, Pam Torlina, will lead hikers on a 3.5-mile, moderate interpretive hike on the preserve, pointing out native flora and fauna of the season.

For more details, check out our Spring Hiking Series brochure

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February 17th, PAC's Friday Hike Goes to Peter’s Creek Heritage Preserve

Join the Pacolet Area Conservancy (PAC), Friday, Feb. 17, for the first of six hikes offered this spring.  Hikers will enjoy a 3.6-mile hike at Peter’s Creek Heritage Preserve, the first hike of the Spring Hiking Series.  PAC Land Protection Specialist, Pam Torlina, will lead hikers on a 3.6-mile easy/moderate loop through the Preserve. 

Peter’s Creek Heritage Preserve is located 3-miles north of the Pacolet River and protects 160 acre near Spartanburg, SC.  The loop trail meanders through a piedmont cove forest with rolling topography.  At times, the trail parallels Peter’s Creek and Mineral Springs Branch and there is a spur trail that will lead hikers to the old Martin’s Mill Dam, which is over 100 years old.  The preserves hardwood bluffs and slopes along Peter’s Creek and Mineral Springs Branch provide the perfect conditions for (state and federal listed “Threatened”) Dwarf-flowered Heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora) to grow and thrive.  In fact, the preserve is home to the second largest known population of the species.  There are a couple of stream crossings, so come prepared.

If you are interested in attending the PAC hike at Peter’s Creek Heritage Preserve, please contact the PAC office to sign up by phone at (828)859-5060 or e-mail, landprotection@pacolet.org.

Hikers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear; bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water.  Please be sure to bring any personal medication that you may require.  Hikers should be prepared to return to the area by 3:00, at the latest.  In case of inclement weather, please contact the PAC office by 8:15 on the day of the hike to see if the hike will take place. 

Hikers will be meeting at the Landrum Bi-Lo at 8:30 a.m. to arrange car-pooling and start the approximately 30 minute drive to the Preserve.  If you cannot make this hike but would like to attend other hikes, please visit PACs website, www.pacolet.org, or go to PACs Facebook page for information on upcoming hikes.  The next hike is scheduled for March 2nd at Paris Mountain State Park.

State and Federal listed "Threatened", Dwarf-flowered Heartleaf (Hexastylis naniflora) on a PAC protected property. (photo by Pam Torlina)

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Join the PAC "Kudzu Warriors" every Monday from 9-11 at the PAC protected Norman Wilder Forest located off of HWY 176 to continue efforts to eradicate non-native and invasive Kudzu from the site.

The PAC "Kudzu Warriors" will be at the site from 9-11. Please join us if you have the time and interest! We are very hopeful to make a big dent in the Kudzu (and other non-native and invasive plants) over the winter!

Call PAC at (828)859-5060 or e-mail landprotection@pacolet.org if you are interested or would like more information. Also, check out our webpage dedicated to Kudzu Eradication!

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Trail Work Day at Norman Wilder Forest, February 18th at 9:00

Please join us as we work to keep the public hiking trails at PAC's Norman Wilder Forest free and clear of obstacles!

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PAC Walk will be held again on May 5th 2012!

SAVE THE DATE!