Rutherford Weekly

Page 6 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, September 23-September 29, 2021 ©Community First Media Community First Media 132 Blanton Street, Spindale 828-287-0776 DOUBLE YOUR DOLLARS Shop Yokefellow Shop Yokefellow Thrift Store Thrift Store 132 Blanton Street Spindale, NC 28160 • 828-287-0776 For every dollar you spend, you get a bar- gain AND the proceeds assist a family in need of a helping hand. FANTASTIC FINDS, NAME BRANDS, FANTASTIC FINDS, NAME BRANDS, VINTAGE, AND NEW WITH TAGS VINTAGE, AND NEW WITH TAGS 2004 Chase High Rd., Forest City For more info call 828-245-1059 ©Community First Media Community First Media BECAUSE OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, FLOYD'S CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH WILL CELEBRATE 150 YEARS SUNDAY, OCT. 3, 2021 All current and previous members as well as the Chase Community are invited to join us. Everyone is encouraged to wear old-fashioned styles of clothing. The service will begin at 10:30 am. After morning worship, all are invited to stay for fellowship lunch and old-timey games. Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. The call of the wild has been loud and clear during the pandemic with many people looking for a way to escape, get outdoors and connect more with their loved ones and nature. That trend is evident with Grandfather Mountain experiencing record attendance the last two years. With more people visiting, the park has also observed a substantial increase in hikers. In 2019, the Linville, N.C., nature preserve recorded 11,889 hikers between January and August. In 2021, 15,110 hikers hit the trails during that same period, a 27-percent increase. "Having more people on the trails means that people are getting back to nature and specifi cally seeing the wonders of Grandfather Mountain in a unique way," said H Patton III, natural resource management specialist for the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, the nonprofi t organization that owns and operates the park. "Hiking our trails offers one of the most diffi cult and exciting experiences that our guests can have. The rugged connection to the mountain is one that they will never forget." Grandfather Mountain offers access to 11 trails varying in diffi culty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks. In-park trails include the Woods Walk, Black Rock Nature Trail and Bridge Trail. The nature preserve also provides access to backcountry trails in the adjacent Grandfather Mountain State Park. Along the Grandfather Trail, a very strenuous trail that runs from the mountain's Hiker Parking Lot out 2.4 miles to Calloway Peak, hikers use in-place cables and ladders for extra steep sections and at times are traversing the ridgeline of the mountain. With more visitors and hikers comes more responsibility on natural resource management staff. "The trail feels the effects of every footstep, and it shows over time," Patton said. Grandfather's natural resource staff, comprised of four people, has worked hard this season to help people stay on course by repainting blazes and blocking social trails, or paths made by folks who go off trail. The team has also added new sets of rock steps to help hikers navigate tough terrain and worked to manage the tread, or surface, of trails. Trail work hours are also on the rise. The team put in 391 hours of trail work from mid- March to early August in 2019. In 2021, that number is 449 hours, a 15-percent increase. This extra time provides more than the benefi t of well-kept trails. "We've made a conscious effort to be present more often on our trails," Patton said. "We like to let hikers know that we are around and available if they need us for any reason." Fall is a very popular time to hike at Grandfather Mountain, one of the best leaf-looking destinations in the South. The mountain is home to a myriad of plants and hardwood trees that range from pumpkin- colored beech trees to blood-red sourwoods and rusty red oaks. In addition, Grandfather's lofty heights provide guests with a spectacular vantage point as the leaf change and fall color advances down the fl anks of the mountain and into the piedmont of North Carolina. While the leaf change at Grandfather Mountain generally starts at higher elevations in late September, the views of fall color brightening up the low-lying valleys below can last through October. Patton recommends these six tips for folks planning to hike at Grandfather Mountain this fall: 1. Choose the right trail for you and your group's fi tness level. Every trail at Grandfather Mountain offers a great hiking experience, but the experience can be tarnished if the enjoyable hike turns into a survival situation. Grandfather Mountain offers access to a variety of trails that fi t any group, from a simple walk in the woods to a full day hike with very rugged terrain. 2. Be familiar with the trail. Use resources such as maps and apps to help navigate trails. Plan your route in advance of your hike. Trail information for Grandfather Mountain is located at www.grandfather.com. 3. Check the weather. Check the weather the week before, week of, days before, the day of and even right before you begin your hike. Weather can change quickly in the mountains, and knowing what you might run into will keep you safe and happy. 4. Tell someone your plan. You should always make people aware of your plan, so if anything were to happen, someone would know to look for you or where to fi nd you. At Grandfather Mountain, hikers are asked to fi ll out hiking permits before hitting the backcountry trails. These permits also give the hiker contact information to utilize if needed. 5. Dress appropriately. Hiking boots are best for hiking, but please wear closed toe shoes at the very least. Clothes that are moisture wicking are also important. Packing a rain jacket and extra layers is also advised. 6. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Some of the backcountry trails on Grandfather Mountain will take all day to complete. This means water and some snacks to get you through the day will be necessary. Information on Grandfather Mountain's trails is located at www.grandfather.com. Advance tickets and online reservations to enter the park are strongly encouraged during the busy fall season. In October, park hours will be 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Trails will close at 6 p.m. All hikers must be back to their vehicles by that time or a search party will be sent out. Grandfather Mountain expects uptick in hikers this fall, shares hiking tips Article Provided By: Frank Ruggiero Grandfather Mountain offers access to 11 trails varying in diffi culty from a gentle walk in the woods to a rigorous trek across rugged peaks — including the use of ladders and cables. Photo: Chip Henderson | Chip Henderson Photography Hikers rests at an overlook on Grandfather Mountain's Black Rock Nature Trail. In 2021, the Linville, nature park has seen a 27% increase of hikers from 2019. Photo: Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation 828-245-2238 828-245-2238 417 South Broadway Street Forest City Monday-Friday 9am-5pm ©Community First Media Community First Media M i k e s M i k e s Auto Sales Auto Sales M i k e s M i k e s INC. INC. 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