For our upcoming October hike, the Hemlock Restoration Initiative is thrilled to invite you on a sunset walk to a Carolina hemlock bluff in Pisgah National Forest. Just 20 minutes east of Asheville, our route is a moderately strenuous 2-mile roundtrip hike.
We will meet at the Young’s Ridge Trailhead right off I-40 near Ridgecrest at 4 p.m. and hike 1 mile up a single-track trail to an overlook. An HRI staff member will guide the hike and provide education about hemlock ecology and how we can work together to save this unique tree from the hemlock woolly adelgid.
We will stop at a couple overlooks on the way up with the final showstopper view planned for optimal sunset-color viewing. There, with some neighboring Carolina hemlocks, we will join in a collective half hour of appreciation as the golden hour sun lights up the warm tones of the Appalachian fall leaves.
After taking in the sunset, we will then turn around and descend the same way we came up. The tread of the trail is relatively groomed, so hiking at dusk should not pose an issue, although we do suggest you bring a headlamp or flashlight to improve your comfort.
RSVP is required. Please register by October 17 by emailing education@savehemlocksnc.org or calling 828-252-4783. Be sure to bring water, a flashlight, and any snacks you may want. A sturdy pair of hiking shoes or boots is recommended. More details will be provided upon registration.