First Hike of 2019 - Panthertown Loop Hike and Dinner

Overview

Join us for our first hike of 2019! The Panthertown Loop is an 8.5 mile hike featuring five waterfalls and two stunning overlooks.

Following our hike, we will meet for a 5pm club dinner at Blind Mule in Lake Toxaway!

Trip capacity is eighteen. We plan to hike at a 2 to 2.5 mph pace.

Each hiker is responsible for their own costs and transportation. Carpooling details below. There is no park entry or trail access fee.

Please RSVP as soon as possible as we expect this to fill quickly!

If you have any questions, please contact the event host, Pam Kain at pam23@ymail.com.

Hike Expectations:

• Hike starts on time!
  
• No dogs allowed
  
• Please bring proper footwear, adequate water, sunblock, hat, snacks or a pack lunch, hiking poles, bug spray, towel and change of clothing for dinner.
  
• Please bring rain gear! Most hikes are deep in the forest, where conditions may change rapidly. Hikes will go in the rain, unless we experience severe rain, thunder, lightening or water crossings.
  
• If carpooling, please provide the driver with gas money. 
  
• Please be prepared to sign a waiver of liability.
  

Hike Details:

From trailhead on the east side of the valley we will descend to the School House Falls. From there, we take a steep climb up Little Green Trail to the Tranquility Point Overlook and eat our lunches.

After lunch, we descend to Mac’s Gap and pass Granny Burrell Falls, Frolictown Falls and Wilderness Falls. We then climb again to the Salt Rock Overlook on the west side of the valley and head east again on the Panthertown Valley Trail to the Sand Bar Pool.  We will take a side trail to Warden Falls and then return to the Cold Mountain Gap Trail head. 

For more information, see: https://www.discoverjacksonnc.com/insiders-guide-panthertown-valley-yosemite-east/

Driving Directions:

From Brevard, head west on Highway 64. Turn right at 281 North to Cold Mountain Road. Turn left on CMR, just past the Toxaway Firestation. After six miles, the road becomes gravel and has sharp turn left and then right into parking lot.

Carpooling:

If you would like to carpool, please plan to meet at Roses Furniture Parking lot at 605 Park Street in Belmont NC at 8am.