Date: Sunday, July 13
Time: Starting at 10 am
Where: Sandy Mush Game Lands
Distance: 2 miles (out and back)
Difficulty: (4/10), Easy
Cost: Suggested $10 donation towards our conservation efforts is appreciated.
Registration: Pre-registration is REQUIRED
Join us for the 2025 Sandy Mush Game Lands: Morning Meditative Hike
Start your morning with intention on a meditative hike through the peaceful setting of the Sandy Mush Game Lands. This easy 2-mile out-and-back walk invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and fully immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of nature.
Along the way, we’ll engage in gentle mindfulness practices including focused breathing, quiet observation, and intentional pauses to reflect or journal. Binoculars are encouraged for those who want to take a closer look at birds and wildlife. You’re also welcome to bring a journal, sketchbook, or any tool that helps deepen your connection with the natural world.
This experience is perfect for anyone seeking a calm, grounding start to the day or a deeper appreciation for the beauty of the Southern Appalachians.
Please note: This hike passes through pasture and wildlife habitat. Be prepared for the possibility of encountering ticks, bees, or snakes.
Thank you for your interest in this Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy event. We look forward to sharing this peaceful morning on the trail with you.
A pre-hike email sent to registered participants prior to the day of the outing will include additional information such as the group meeting location. We estimate this outing experience to last approximately 3 hours. If you have any questions please email Alex Russell at alex@appalachian.org.
SAHC’s involvement in conservation:
The Sandy Mush Game Lands consist of 2,765 acres of land in Buncombe and Madison Counties, owned by the State of NC and managed by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC). Sandy Mush Creek and Turkey Creek flow through it.
In 2004, SAHC assisted the State of NC in the acquisition of the land, once owned by CP&L/Progress Energy, for conservation and public ownership. In 2011, we acquired an 88-acre tract because it formed a critical linking bridge and wildlife corridor between non-contiguous portions of the game lands — and in 2017 we transferred this tract to the state for inclusion in the Sandy Mush Game Lands. In 2023, SAHC assisted our partners at NCWRC with the adding 67 acres to the Sandy Mush Game Lands on the Madison County side, by providing a matching contribution which helped NCWRC secure grants from the NC Land and Water Fund and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wildlife Restoration Program to make the acquisition possible.
