I’ve done part of this hike and it’s nice but I haven’t done the Pump Gap section. So I don’t know what this part of the trail is like other than it will be downhill and probably rocky. It should be about 3.5 miles one way but could be more.

This is a car shuttle hike meaning we leave cars at each end of the trail head. The hike is located in the Hot Springs so we could possibly have a meal after (but would be based upon COVID restrictions).

Let’s meet at the Ingles in Weaverville (the one across the street from Publix) at 9:45 with a departure at 10 a.m. Park near the gas station, road side. I have a white Hyundai. Suggested car pool donation is $5 each. If you carpool please wear a mask in the car and bring hand sanitizer.

We will drive out to the trailhead in Hot Springs, leave a car and then drive back up to the other trailhead. This part will involve carpooling so please make sure you are ok with that.

Once hiking, we immediately start uphill and this is one of the hardest parts of the hike but it’s short. We will travel along the AT with a gentle uphill most of the way, but it is scenic.

Eventually we will come to the intersection with the Pump Gap trail and take it back down to the trail head. Who knows what the trail holds? It’s about 1 mile down this section.

Please wear proper hiking shoes, hiking poles are recommended. We won’t be stopping for lunch so bring a snack if you want. Don’t forget the water.

I don’t put attendee limits on my hikes so you don’t have to worry about having a spot. Therefore, you can sign up a day before the hike.

Billy Zanski teaches a fun approach to finding your inner rhythm. Drums are provided. No experience required. Walk-ins welcome, reservations preferred. Private Lessons, special events, team building, and drum circles are also available. Please call or email to inquire.

Dreaming of starting your own farm? Farm Dreams is an entry-level, day-long workshop designed to help people who are seeking practical, common-sense information on sustainable farming and how to move forward. This is a great workshop to attend if you are in the exploratory stages of starting a farm.

In this one-day, exploratory workshop participants will…
Learn about sustainable farming careers in Western North Carolina.
Discover and assess your resources, skills and farming intentions.
Begin to develop an educational plan toward farming.
Connect with regional training opportunities and support networks.
Prioritize your next steps toward your farming goals.
Hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.

Register here/links to tickets: www.organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/farm-dreams

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Dreaming of starting your own farm? Farm Dreams is an entry-level, day-long workshop designed to help people who are seeking practical, common-sense information on sustainable farming and how to move forward. This is a great workshop to attend if you are in the exploratory stages of starting a farm.

In this one-day, exploratory workshop participants will…
Learn about sustainable farming careers in Western North Carolina.
Discover and assess your resources, skills and farming intentions.
Begin to develop an educational plan toward farming.
Connect with regional training opportunities and support networks.
Prioritize your next steps toward your farming goals.
Hear from experienced farmers running successful farms in WNC.

Register here/links to tickets: www.organicgrowersschool.org/farmers/farm-dreams

We will meet at the Ingles on Tunnel Road. I’m not that familiar with this Ingles, but if there is a gas station at this Ingles please park over by it. I have a white Hyundai and will stand outside the car. Suggested car pool donation will be $2-$3 each as this is not a far drive to the trailhead.
Meeting time is 9:45 with a departure of 10 a.m.
We will then drive out to Warren Wilson to the trailhead which is in a parking area for one of the living areas. Parking is at a minimum so car pool if you can. If carpooling, please wear a mask in your driver’s car and sanitize your hands.

Once we arrive at the trailhead we will meander through the woods. I haven’t done this trail for probably 4 years so I hope it will all come back. But you might want to plan on a few mishaps and a retracing of steps.

We start out gradually uphill, will past through a dark forest with trees planted in rows, find the trail that goes down hill for a least half a mile, turn left and head towards Swannanoa River, walk up to a man made lake, retrace our steps, head towards the agricultural area of WW, turn right, crawl through the fence and pick the trail back up, now going uphill and re-intersect the trail we started out on.

This trail isn’t hard but it does have it’s ups and downs.
Bring a snack if you like but we won’t be stopping for a meal.
As usual wear shoes with a good tread, bring water, and a hiking pole if needed. There are no creek crossings.

What we’re about

Homestead Dreams is an entry level, exploratory workshop designed to help you incorporate small-scale, self-sufficiency and sustainability into all aspects of your life.

This workshop will be held ONLINE. Register on our website: https://organicgrowersschool.org/gardeners/homestead-dreams/

Regardless of whether you own or rent a home, or live in a rural or urban setting, you can move towards more self-reliance NOW!

Excellent for those in the exploratory stages of getting started with a land-based life. We cover common sense, relevant information to help maximize your independence, increase your connection to community, place, and self, and plan out your dreams for the next 1 to 5 years.

Appropriate for those who are incorporating agriculture, renewable energy, green building, land planning, hand-made products, and land-based living of all kinds. Includes a panel of local homesteaders and a regional expert on soil, climate, rainfall, typography, vegetation, wind, and how that affects and determines life, farming, and building in our region.

Taught by Lee Warren & Brandon Greenstein.

Lee Warren is the co-founder, designer, and builder, of an off-grid, sustainably-built CoHousing Neighborhood at Earthaven Ecovillage; founder and manager of Imani Farm, 5-acre pasture-based cooperative farm; and managing partner of SOIL, School of Integrated Living, which teaches organic food production, regenerative systems, and community living. Lee is also an herbalist, writer, teacher, and food activist, with an avid interest in rural wisdom, sustainable economics, and empowered self-reliance.

Brandon is the Home-Grower Program Director for OGS, developing new initiatives to provide services to home-growers. His background is in Renewable Systems, Earth Works, Energy, Water, Homesteading, Permaculture. He offers consulting, design, and technical services for the creation of low impact and energy conserving systems through his company, Integrated Ecological Solutions.

 Mingus Creek

4 miles | easy

Historic cemeteries and mill, wildflowers

2021 CLASSIC HIKES OF THE SMOKIES

Discover America’s most-visited national park with a guided day hike! The Classic Hikes of the Smokies feature interpretation of the history, flora, and fauna of park trails. Hikes vary in distance, difficulty, and location within the park to provide a comprehensive overview of the Smokies, exposing hikers to high Appalachian vistas, streams teeming with aquatic life, the best collection of log structures on the Eastern Seaboard, and much more.

After completing registration…
You will receive an email the Friday before the hike with directions, and more information. All hikes begin at 9 a.m

What is an airstrip doing in the middle of DuPont State Recreational Forest? Why the formal entrance into a state forest? And how did the lakes come to be?

Come on a moderate all-day hike through historic DuPont Forest where we will walk, talk, take photos and even speculate. DuPont Forest is in Cedar Mountain, located between Hendersonville and Brevard. We will visit Bridal Veil Falls and four lakes. Although the hike focuses on DuPont Forest history, we might see some early spring flowers and buds.

Here are the details:

• The hike is 7.5 miles and about 800 feet of altitude gain over the day. The trails are well-maintained but will be muddy and rocky.
• Meet at the Transylvania County Library (212 S Gaston St, Brevard, NC) by 8:20am. We will depart from there in a caravan and arrive at the Fawn Lake Access Area of DuPont just before 9am.
• Wear light boots or good sneakers with hiking sock, a rain jacket (no matter the weather forecast) and a couple of layers of warm clothing – a long sleeve shirt and a fleece.
• Bring lunch and snacks and at least one quart of water – two pints. Water will not be available  on the hike.
• There are no toilets in the forest. We will stop several times for trail breaks in the woods. There is also no cell service in the area including the forest.
• Note: For liability reasons, no dogs are allowed on this hike.

Questions, concerns? Email me at [email protected]