Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail: A Magnificent Jewel in Western North Carolina, with Peter Barr

The Hickory Nut Gorge is a magnificent jewel in the mountains of Western North Carolina. This 14-mile-long canyon cuts a picturesque pass exposing spectacular sheer granite cliffs, and contains an abundance of undisturbed forests.

In this episode, I sit down with Peter Barr who led the development of more than 20 miles of new sustainable trails as well as the legislative authorization of the planned 130-mile Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail network. He is a two-time national award-winning trail designer, receiving recognition for outstanding construction and design for the three-mile Wildcat Rock Trail in 2018, and the 8-mile Weed Patch Mountain Trail and Tunnel Trail in 2019, recognizing Weed Patch as one of the best new trails in the country by the national Coalition for Recreational Trails.

We talk about the vast natural beauty in this region, and how the Bearwallow Mountain Trail was made possible due to conserved land owned by Conserving Carolina, and how this project led to further conservation efforts that made the development of this extensive trail network possible.

The Hickory Nut Gorge is a special place, but what makes the trail system extra special is the collective effort of landowners, conservation groups, and talented trail designers & contractors, that has led to ultra-sustainable trails throughout the Gorge that will be protected forever. Join us as we take a closer look at this spectacular place and the people who have made it possible for all of us to explore such an amazing place, forever!

DISCOVER MORE
John Myers
Conserving Carolina
Carolina Mountain Club
Trail Dynamics
Vermont Conservation Crew
North Carolina Youth Conservation Corp
Chris “Shrimper” Khare
Single Track Trails
Coalition for Recreational Trails

Mike Andress
Host, Exploration Local
828-551-9065
mike@explorationlocal.com

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