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Hemlock Education Hike
December 12, 2015 @ 5:00 am - 9:30 am
Join MountainTrue’s Forest Keepers and Margot Wallston, the Hemlock Restoration Initiative Coordinator, as we hike and learn about hemlock ecosystems, the hemlock woolly adelgid, and current efforts to ensure hemlocks survive on North Carolina’s public and private lands.
This is an easy-moderate 4-mile hike on well-maintained trails in Montreat with a 898 foot elevation gain and descent. We will go slowly on the climbs, taking in the surroundings, and will take breaks as needed.
We begin at the parking area near the Montreat gate and introduce the challenges hemlocks face, what Montreat is doing to protect their trees, and the “Beetles for Buncombe” program. Then, we carpool to the Lookout trailhead and begin our hike up to Brushy Mountain.
At the summit of Brushy Mountain, we will find ourselves in the midst of a mature Carolina hemlock stand. We will eat lunch at the summit and continue our hemlock education. After lunch, we’ll head down toward Sourwood Gap and loop onto to Trestle Road and back to the Lookout trailhead.
Bring a lunch, wear sturdy shoes and lots of layers, and be ready to learn about hemlock ecosystems found in Western North Carolina!
Please note that each person in your party needs to register for the hike!
