Fifth Annual Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike Dates Announced!

The Land Trust for Central NC is excited to announce the dates for our fifth annual Uwharrie Trail Thru Hike backpacking trip, which will take place on October 12 – 15, 2017!

Have you heard of the Uwharrie Trail? At 40 miles, it is the longest single-track footpath in central North Carolina. The LandTrust and other conservation partners have been working for the past 20 years to reconnect this trail, and thanks to these efforts it can now be hiked in its 40-mile entirety. This Uwharrie Trail is known for its cultural and natural significance, including such unique features as old gold mines, rare plants and wildlife, ghost stories, and more. Join us for an awesome backpacking trip through some of the oldest mountains in the world, as we pay tribute to the trailblazers and uncover the secrets of the past. 

This is a backpacking trip, so everyone will be responsible for bringing and carrying their own gear and food. We will have water filters, maps and navigational aids, and a first aid kit. The thru hike will go from south to north again this year, and we provide transportation to the start (Wood Run Trailhead on Highway 24/27) from the end (Tot Hill /Talbott’s Branch trailhead on Tot Hill Farm Road). Campsites will be near roads, so if you are interested in joining in for only a portion or in slack packing, that is an option but you must arrange for your own transportation. If you are not able to join in for the hike but would like to participate as a trail angel, please let us know (and thank you!). Day hikes are available with shuttle service on Saturday, October 14^th with a 5-mile option and a 9-mile option. There will be a celebratory cookout also on Saturday, and you can attend just the cookout if you wish.

There is a required fee of $50 to join the thru hike, which includes a cookout the last night and a commemorative bandana, and a one-year membership in The LandTrust. We are also in need of trail angels to help out with logistics. You’ll receive a free tee bandana for helping. Any additional donations will go directly towards our work reconnecting the trail and are fully tax deductible.

The hike is four approximately 10-mile days with camping at established camps: Yates Place, Jumpin Off Rock, and the (future) Walkers Creek Trailhead. We will send a more detailed map of the route closer to the date along with some final information and details. Youth must be 16 or accompanied by an adult. All participants must sign a liability release form.

Thanks so much for your interest and support of The LandTrust and the Uwharrie Trail! We are looking forward to and hope you can join us for another great thru hike adventure!

Please contact Crystal Cockman at crystal@landtrustcnc.org or 704-647-0302 for more information.

To register, please go to http://landtrustcnc.org/2017/uwharrie-trail-thru-hike-2017/.