A Rattling Good Time
Our newest AmeriCorps Project Conserve PR and Outreach Associate, Kana Miller, jumped full into the outings program last month with her first “For Love of Beer & Mountains” guided hike — and a bit of a surprise along the trail!
“On September 20th, a beautiful and sunny Saturday, my initiation into the SAHC family truly commenced as I led my first event and “For Love of Beer and Mountains” partnership hike up Clawhammer Mountain. As the newest AmeriCorps Project Conserve PR and Outreach Associate, part of my responsibilities include teaming up with Highland Brewing Company to lead these partnership hikes to namesakes of Highland’s seasonal brews, raising awareness and support for our conservation efforts to protect clean water, unique plant and animal habitat and scenic beauty. While I was nervous about leading my first hike, I was quickly put at ease by the cheerful demeanor of our hiking group.
Within the first couple of minutes on trail a fellow AmeriCorps member and Stewardship Associate, Andrea Thompson, heard the soft rattle of a young rattlesnake! The rattler was sunbathing just a foot of trail. How Andrea was able to hear the quite rattling still amazes me.
Our group was able to admire the rattler from the trail and everyone was able to keep a safe distance, respecting the snake’s privacy. From that exciting encounter, the day only got better. Saturday was a perfect day for a hike – you could feel Fall right around the corner! As we climbed through wildflower patches and rich forests, the small yet chatty group enjoyed conversations ranging from native species identification to beer and ‘old school’ Nike hiking boots.
The final push to the summit of Clawhammer Mountain is steep but worth the view. A beautiful vista of Looking Glass and Pisgah National Forest lies just a couple hundred feet past the summit. This rocky outcrop makes for a fantastic lunch spot, where we soaked up the sun and pointed out various features, like the Blue Ridge Parkway and a few of the infamous balds of the region.
After a while deserved and relaxing lunch, we made our way back down the mountain. The hike down was equally as enjoyable as our ascent. I’m very grateful my first group of hikers was such an amiable and awesome bunch! As we neared the trailhead, the group was both relieved and disappointed to see that our rattlesnake friend had moved on, to a different sunning spot. I can’t wait to see what my next hike will have in store!”
