Time: Starting at 9:00 am
Where: Plott Balsam Mountains off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Meet at Waterrock Knob Visitor Center.
Distance: 6 miles (3 miles in, 3 miles out). Rugged, rocky terrain throughout the trail with steep elevation change, becoming smoother through Spruce-fir forest further along.
Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous (7-8)
Cost: FREE for all participants
Join the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy and Highland Brewing Company on November 7 for a moderately strenuous hike to enjoy views of Thunderstruck Ridge, for which Highland’s next seasonal is named. Participants will travel over 5 miles of rugged terrain through mystical red spruce, Fraser firs, red oak forests, and other high elevation trees while occasionally stopping at rock outcroppings for views of Thunderstruck Ridge. During this time of year, we’ll be seeing fall colors as well as we hike through Saw-Whet Owl and Carolina Northern Flying squirrel habitat!
The group will hike through the 1,595-acre Plott Balsam Preserve and eventually reach Blackrock Mountain, which SAHC protected in 2013, at a towering 5,600 feet of elevation. This beautiful section of mountains can be seen from the Blue Ridge Parkway. SAHC’s conservation work in this area protects high elevation habitat and pristine headwater streams. So come out, and let’s celebrate Thunderstruck Coffee Porter and land conservation together. This hike is FREE for everyone!
