The mission of Friends of Panthertown is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities in Panthertown Valley.
Posted by: panthertown | August 2, 2018
Welcome Friends!
Posted by: panthertown | August 9, 2018
National Geographic Adventurer of the Year to visit Plateau
SAPPHIRE, NC – Friends of Panthertown will host a presentation by Jennifer Pharr Davis, long distance hiker, author, speaker, and 2011 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year on Saturday, August 18. The program will be held at The County Club of Sapphire Valley from 5:30pm – 7:30pm as a ticketed benefit in support of conservation work in Panthertown Valley.
Jennifer Pharr Davis has logged over 14,000 miles on six different continents, including thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Colorado Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, numerous trails in Europe, and the Appalachian Trail three times. In 2011, Jennifer wanted to test her physical limits. With the help of her husband Brew and a dedicated group of friends, she set the fastest known time (male or female) on the “A.T.” by hiking 47 miles a day for 46 days straight.
“We are excited to have Jennifer share her adventures with us,” said Jason Kimenker, Executive Director of Friends of Panthertown, “and we know her stories will inspire, entertain, and delight the audience.”
Jennifer will be sharing slides and stories, answering questions, and reading excerpts from her new book The Pursuit of Endurance, available for sale at the event. Publisher’s Weekly says, “this inspiring work (is) at times reminiscent of the writings of such travel memoirists as Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson (and) could become a regular companion for distance hikers or, indeed, for anyone embarking on a personal challenge.”
Jennifer will also be signing books after the program. For her adventures, she has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, NPR’s Talk of the Nation, ESPN, and the CBS Early Show. She is founder and owner of Blue Ridge Hiking Company, an Asheville, North Carolina-based guiding service whose mission is “to make the wilderness accessible and enjoyable through the written and spoken word, instruction and guiding.”
Friends of Panthertown is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization that works in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities in Panthertown Valley, a 6,295-acre backcountry recreation area with 30 miles of public trails within Nantahala National Forest.
General admission tickets for An Evening with Jennifer Pharr Davis cost $10 per person. Tickets may be purchased online with a credit card at panthertown.org/tickets to be held at will call, and with cash or check at the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center (828) 743-5191. A limited number of tickets will also be available to purchase at the door (cash, check, or credit cards accepted at the door).
A very limited special VIP ticket package is also available including premium front row reserved seating, a signed copy of her new book, The Pursuit of Endurance, and a hike in Panthertown Valley with Jennifer.
Contact Friends of Panthertown at friends@panthertown.org for more information.
Posted by: panthertown | May 23, 2018
Panthertown Valley EXPO and National Trails Day Picnic to be held June 2
Panthertown Valley EXPO & Picnic
Friends of Panthertown to Celebrate National Trails Day
On National Trails Day, Saturday, June 2, local non-profit Friends of Panthertown will host a Panthertown Valley EXPO to celebrate National Trails Day at Sapphire Valley Community Center from 2pm to 4pm and an informal National Trails Day Picnic in Panthertown kick-off gathering at the Salt Rock Gap overlook in Panthertown Valley from 11am to 1pm. Both events are free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome.
For the Picnic in Panthertown, bring your own chairs or a blanket, gather your friends, and pack a picnic lunch to enjoy at the Salt Rock Gap overlook. There will be an opportunity to go hiking and explore Panthertown both before and after the picnic. Maps will be available.
After the picnic, head over to the Sapphire Valley Community Center anytime between 2pm and 4pm for the EXPO. Experts will be on hand to provide information and answer your questions about exploring Panthertown, including hiking, mountain biking, riding horses, fishing, birding, and rock climbing. There will be door prizes and giveaways, including maps and t-shirts, live music by Geoff McBride plus an opportunity to sign up for summertime guided hikes into Panthertown.
Thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors at the EXPO: Bald Rock, Highland Hiker, Oskar Blues Brewery North Carolina, D.D. Bullwinkel’s Outdoors, Brookings’ Anglers, Nantahala Area SORBA, Bear Tracks Travel Center, Panthertown Map Association, Jackson County, North Carolina, Recreation and Parks and Jackson County Outdoor Recreation.
Friends of Panthertown Valley is the 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that protects and maintains more than 30 miles of public trails in Panthertown Valley, a 6,300 acre backcountry recreational area in the Nantahala National Forest, in partnership with U.S. Forest Service – National Forests in North Carolina. Panthertown offers some of the most scenic public trails in the area.
Sapphire Valley Community Center is located at 127 Cherokee Trail in Sapphire, NC.
Salt Rock Gap in Panthertown is located at the end of Breedlove Road off Cedar Creek Road in Cashiers. Parking is limited along the bumpy 1/4 mile USFS gravel road leading to the trailhead. Signs will be posted at the trailhead directing hikers to the nearby picnic site located about a 5-10 minute walk from the parking area. In case of rain, the picnic will instead be located at Sapphire Valley Community Center where the Expo will also be held.
Contact friends@panthertown.org or visit www.panthertown.org for more info on these and other events, including An evening with Jennifer Pharr Davis on August 18 by Jennifer Pharr Davis, hiker, author, speaker, and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year who has covered over 12,000 miles of long distance trails on six different continents and holds the overall record for fastest known time on the Appalachian Trail.
Posted by: panthertown | April 1, 2018
Panthertown Valley to be renamed Beartown Valley; Entry fee to be charged.
Panthertown Valley to be renamed Beartown Valley; Entry fee to be charged.
April 1, 2018 (Happy April Fool’s Day)
Cashiers, NC – Panthertown Valley is designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission as part of the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary. Bear hunting is prohibited anywhere in Panthertown.
Due to a significant increase in black bear (Ursus americanus) encounters in Panthertown Valley over the past several years, and as a result of intense market research following an extensive public comment period, on Friday the U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Mike Wilkins and Forest Supervisor Gifford Pinchot announced they have officially authorized renaming this popular back country recreation area.
“When was the last time anyone saw an actual panther in Panthertown Valley”, Wilkins asked. This question comes up often from visitors to the valley. “It’s been a hot minute. But, there are plenty of big and hungry bears living there instead”, said someone of authority who wished to remain anonymous. “The bears have most likely eaten all of the remaining panthers, or at least scared them away.” Beginning July 1, a user entry fee of $1 per visitor will be charged to help offset the costs of renaming the valley.
District Ranger Mike Wilkins was overheard discussing the situation with North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission officers. “We really should rename this back country area to better reflect the wildlife that inhabit its boundaries.” Earlier this year the name Trouttown Valley was recommended by anglers, but due to the word having two Ts back to back, they decided against it. “Beartown has a much better ring to it”, said Wilkins, “and there is only one letter T in that name.” Forest Supervisor Gifford Pinchot reported that the name Squirreltown Valley was also suggested and was under consideration for about a minute.
The North Carolina Forest Supervisor has indicated people are confused about the name Panthertown. The bears have been petitioning for a name change for as long as she can remember. All signs and maps of the area will be adjusted starting today to reflect the new name. References to the name Panthertown Valley will be scrubbed from the internet. Any remaining panthers in the valley will be batter dipped and served with sweet tea and a side of ranch dressing. And now, back to your regularly scheduled news.
For actual, honest to goodness, true current information about bear activity from U.S. Forest Service: Bear activity in Beartown Valley
Become a supporting member of Friends to help us protect and maintain Beartown Valley for all to enjoy. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible. The mission of Friends of Beartown is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities in Beartown Valley. Get involved, join us, or sign-up to volunteer today!
Posted in Friends of Panthertown, Panthertown Valley | Tags: April First, Forest Service, Nantahala
