Blue Ridge Parkway views Archives - Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy

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!

The Thunderstruck Partnership Hike is currently at capacity. If you would like to be added to the waitlist fill out the registration below.

2021 Thunderstruck Partnership Hike with Highlands Brewing

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In 2018, SAHC accepted a donated conservation easement on 526 acres in Swannanoa owned by Chemtronics, Inc. The conservation easement permanently protects land adjoining Pisgah National Forest, as well as scenic views from the Blue Ridge Parkway, I-40 and NC Highway 70.

“This landscape is important to the surrounding Swannanoa community, and we are pleased to be able to permanently protect these ridges,” says Executive Director Carl Silverstein. “The conservation easement area provides important wildlife corridors and will create an undeveloped buffer adjoining other protected lands.”

The forested, steep slopes of the property rise to elevations over 3,580 ft. The tract adjoins a large block of contiguous, protected land in the Black Mountains that includes the Asheville Watershed, Pisgah National Forest, Mount Mitchell State Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is located less than a mile away. The Audubon Society’s Black and Great Craggy Mountains Important Bird Area covers a portion of the property. This Important Bird Area provides habitat for a wide variety of species, including: Black-throated Blue warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, Canada Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Pine Siskin, and Dark-eyed Junco. Read more

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2021 Thunderstruck Partnership Hike with Highland Brewing Company

The Thunderstruck Partnership Hike is currently at capacity. If you would like to be added to the waitlist fill out the registration below.

2021 Thunderstruck Partnership Hike with Highlands Brewing

526-acre Swannanoa Conservation Easement

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