Hikers, and their dogs, are invited to join Conserving Carolina and Blue Ridge Humane Society (BRHS) on Wednesday, April 24th at 11 a.m. for an approximately 2-mile hike up Bearwallow Mounatain. Conserving Carolina’s Community Engagement Director, Pam Torlina, will lead the hike from the trail head off of Bearwallow Mountain Road.
This is a great opportunity to give an adoptable dog a break from the Adoption Center and allow them to enjoy a nice, socializing walk in the outdoors. There is a limit to the number of dogs that can come from BRHS, so if you’re interested in walking a dog, please contact Cameron Davis, Volunteer Manager for BRHS by Monday, April 1st to arrange a time for training orientation, pairing with the appropriate dog, and to sign a volunteer waiver. Cameron can be reached at volunteer@blueridgehumane.org. Participants may also bring their own dog on the hike so long as they are kept on leash and do not have any nose-to-nose meetings with the BRHS dogs. If bringing your own dog, there is no need to go through orientation at BRHS.
The approximately 2-mile easy/moderate, loop hike begins by ascending Bearwallow Mountain, gaining just over 500’ in elevation in approximately 1 mile. The trail traverses through a maturing hardwood forest before opening up to a grassy meadow near the mountain’s summit at 4,232 feet above sea level. Here, hikers will enjoy a nearly 280° panoramic view of the surrounding mountains with views that include Mt. Mitchell and Mt. Pisgah. This breathtaking vista also includes a birds-eye view of Hickory Nut Gorge, downtown Hendersonville, and the high country of South Carolina. A historic fire lookout tower occupies the summit, as do grazing cattle who call the mountaintop home.
After taking in the sights and enjoying a little break and snack near the summit of the mountain, hikers and their dogs will complete the loop by returning to the trailhead by traveling a gravel service road on the property.
Pre-registration is mandatory, and space is limited to 20 participants. For more information and to register, visit the Conserving Carolina website.
