Date: Saturday, October 11th
Time: 10:30 am
Where: Blackrock Mountain Trail, Waterrock Knob Visitor Center
Distance: 6 miles
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous (7/10)
Cost: FREE for all participants (Pre-Registration is Required!)
Join Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy on Saturday, October 11th to hike the Blackrock Mountain Trail to the summit of Blackrock Mountain with views of Thunderstruck Ridge, Waterrock Knob and other 6,000ft peaks! Participants will travel roughly 6 miles over rugged terrain through mystical red spruce, fraser firs, and red oak forests while periodically stopping at rock outcroppings for awe inspiring views.
This moderately strenuous hike contains numerous steep sections with some rock scrambling. During this time of year, we’ll be seeing spectacular fall colors as well as Saw-Whet Owl and Carolina Northern Flying squirrel habitat!
Blackrock Mountain in the Plott Balsam Mountains is part of a network of conservation lands in progress of being added to an expansion of national park land at Waterrock Knob on the Blue Ridge Parkway. In 2013, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy purchased the summit of Blackrock Mountain, with more than 250 surrounding acres. The property adjoins other conservation lands: SAHC’s 60-acre Blackrock Ridge tract (protected in 2010), the Sylva Watershed (protected with a conservation easement held by Mainspring Conservation Trust), and The Nature Conservancy’s Plott-Balsam Preserve. SAHC’s conservation work in this area protects high elevation habitat and pristine headwater streams.
After registering, you’ll receive directions, meeting instructions, and other important details a couple days prior to the event date.
If you have any questions please email SAHC Outreach Program Manager, Erin Goodpaster at erin@appalachian.org
