Thunderstruck Hike 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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“You can do this, Izzy, it’s only October,” I tried to convince myself as I braced for the angry, bitter, frigid wind outside in the parking lot. I was at the carpool rendezvous point at 8:30 am, 15 minutes before the group would arrive, and I needed to get breakfast. I opened the latch – come what may.

Steaming, painfully hot coffee in one hand, toasty vegan breakfast burrito in the other I was able to wait outside for the rest of my participants to arrive. I should have packed a thicker sweater. In total, eight of us met for the carpool – the rest would join us at the trailhead at Waterrock Knob.

I had the privilege of riding with my good friend Nico and two new friends Art and Wes. Adrienne Lenker’s new LP abysskiss played on my stereo as we ascended the Blue Ridge Parkway. Time slid effortlessly by as we discussed the finer points of stealth camping. 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

Thunderstruck Hike 2018

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