
Date: Friday, January 27th
Time: 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Where: SAHC’s Elk Hollow Preserve
Distance: 5 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate (6/10)
Cost: The hike is FREE for SAHC members, 10$ for non-members
Join us on Friday, January 27th, for a pleasant stroll through the Elk Hollow Preserve on the Everett J. Bowman Memorial Trail and warm up on historically one of the coldest days of the year! The trail will lead us through beautiful forests of oaks, maples, and beech trees, as well as early successional meadows perfect for bird spotting. The Preserve boasts a bounty of rare wildlife, including Golden-winged Warblers, Southern Appalachian brook trout, and Gray’s lilies. Additionally, SAHC has installed a camping platform, intact trail system, and a moldering privy which will leave you excited to visit us again. This hike is part of our “For Love of Beer and Mountains” partnership with Highland Brewing Company, celebrating the final release of Thunderstruck Coffee Porter. The walk will be co-led by Jay Leutze, author and SAHC Senior Advisor to the Board, who will talk about the history of the tract. Continue with us after this hike for additional miles as we press further up Roaring Creek along the Overmountain Victory Trail to Yellow Mountain Gap. Here at the intersection with the AT we will reflect on the significance of this Nationally Historic trail that commemorates the journey of Revolutionary War heroes and be grateful it is only cold weather we are battling.
Please expect COLD weather on January 27th. Wear study hiking clothes and pack extra layers including hats and gloves. Pack food and water to sustain yourself for multiple hours in the woods. There will be time to revisit your car between visiting Elk Hollow Preserve and continuing on the Overmountain Victory Trail. The Elk Hollow Preserve is an hour and a half drive north of Asheville NC and an hour from Johnson City TN. Please plan accordingly!
FREE for SAHC members, $10 for non-members. If you are not a member but would like to become one, click here!
Thank you for taking interest in our outing with Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy!
I am sorry to say that our outing is currently full and we cannot accept any more attendees at this time. However, if you are still interested in the hike, please contact me at travis@appalachian.org and your name and email will be put on a wait-list. I will contact you if a spot becomes available. If you have any questions, you can contact me at travis@appalachian.org.
Thank you for your interest in hiking with SAHC!
Travis Bordley