National Public Lands Day in Panthertown Valley

Join us in supporting our nation’s public lands on Saturday, September 24! Get outside and volunteer for National Public Lands Day!

You can get involved! We’ll be maintaining trails on the eastern side of Panthertown Valley, coming in from the Cold Mountain Gap trail-head on the NC 281/Lake Toxaway side of Panthertown Valley.

National Public Lands Day is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. In 2010, over 170,000 volunteers attended events at over 2,060 sites across the United States and its territories making this year’s event the largest National Public Lands Day in history. Volunteers planted trees and native plants – pulled invasive species – restored historic building, bridges and landmarks – cleared trails and brush – repaired stream banks and prevented erosion – built and installed bird and bat houses – collected native seeds – helped make public lands accessible for the handicapped and children NPLD focuses on promoting service and recreation on public lands. NPLD continues to commemorate and celebrate the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) by inspiring a new generation of volunteers committed to service on public lands. While volunteers can break a sweat while working to improve their parks on NPLD, they can also explore and enjoy America’s natural wonders. NPLD can be a gateway to discovering the beauty and opportunity for fun at our parks and backcountry recreation areas – hiking, biking, swimming, bird watching, picnicking or just plain relaxing in America’s backyard.

Friends of Panthertown volunteers and leaders will meet at the Cold Mountain Gap trail-head at 9:30 a.m. and the group will hike in to help maintain and prune nearby trails on the eastern portion of Panthertown Valley. Trail tools and instructions will be provide and new volunteers are always welcome. Candidate trails for maintenance include the Panthertown Valley Trail from the entrance to the sandbar pool, the Powerline Road from Panthertown Valley Trail to North Road, Green Valley Trail and Mac’s Gap Trail from Green Valley Trail to Panthertown Valley Trail. Depending on how many volunteers arrive we may split off into groups and tackle several trails at once.

Leaves have just starting to change colors and the temperatures have cooled off in the valley. Now is the perfect time to join us in “the Yosemite of the East” for a day of giving back to our public lands. Trail volunteers are asked to pack a lunch, bring plenty of water, wear good shoes, and bring a pair of work gloves and pruners if you have them. Tools and instruction will be provided. We expect to hike less than 5 miles on easy to moderate trails and be finished by 3 p.m. We hope you will join us! This is a great way to give back to Panthertown.

Volunteer with us on Saturday, September 24. Visit the Friends of Panthertown volunteer information page on our website for more information about what to expect, what to bring and how you can help. You may also call us at (828) 269-HIKE (4453)

DIRECTIONS TO COLD MOUNTAIN GAP TRAIL-HEAD:

From US 64, take NC 281 0.7 miles north. Go past the Lake Toxaway fire station. Turn left (north) on Cold Mountain Road and continue 6.0 miles. When the road ends (Canaan Land will be straight ahead) bear left on a gravel road. Then turn right on the first gravel road to reach the trailhead parking area. (If you miss the turn you’ll end up in a residential development.)

For more information: e-mail friends@panthertown.org or call (828) 269-HIKE (4453)