The 6th Annual Uwharrie Thru Hike gathers at Walker's Creek Trailhead for the Uwharrie Trailblazer's and Three Rivers Land Conservancy's annual Trail Celebration. Some light afternoon rain kept the crowd to about 80 people, 60 of whom were thru hikers. The hike event began early Thursday morning, still in darkness, at Asheboro Airport. Hikers began arriving early for registration and shuttling to the hike start point about an hour away. Asheboro Airport has parking space for about 15 vehicles. We had 40 and then another 6 or 7 volunteers. We parked vehicles along a 1/4 mile stretch of road on the airport property.
The NC Zoo provided 3 buses to transport everyone. Zoo buses have an area for stowing wheelchairs which was perfect for stacking backpacks. The fist bus left about 8:15 followed by the second at 8:40. The final and smallest bus left just before 9 and it was filled to the gills.
Live auction items for Trail Celebration
Thursday's hike begins at the Woods Run Trailhead on Rts 24/27 near the Lake Tillery bridge. It is about a 10 mile hike to a NFS primitive campsite, Yates Place. Here the hikers checked in and located a suitable spot to set up. There was a group campfire and libations as everyone celebrated the first day on the trail. We started the day with 64 and had a couple drop out after completing the first day.
Raffle items at Trail Celebration
Second day is the toughest and longest at 11 miles. The recent twin storms, Florence and Michael, left their mark on the forest. Major blowdowns between Dusty Road and Rt 109 will have to addressed soon. The day's hike ended at Jumpin Off Rock. We had cleared an area nearby for a firepit and temporary trails to access a flat area suitable for tent and hammock camping. After spending the previous 2 years at the trailhead parking area, we wanted to limit our impact on the area. We also provided a portalet, although it didn't arrive until 8pm.
Third day on the trail is my favorite. We had about 20 day hikers which we shuttled from Walker Creek trailhead to Jumpin Off Rock. One of the highlights today is the overnight shelter on top of Little Long Mountain. With long range views, this is a great spot to spend the night. The Trailblazers and Land Trust were instrumental in obtaining this property, transferring it to the Uwharrie National Forest and made it possible for a shelter to built as an Eagle Scout project. We dedicated the nearby trailhead to Uwharrie Trail pioneer, Joe Moffitt. From here the trail goes up and over King Mountain, the highest point on the trail. Florence took out an old culvert in the section which will require a rerouted trail soon.
The hike then heads off onto a 2 mile section which we are currently building. It will become part of the Uwharrie National Recreation Trail within a year. The hike ends on private property, owned by the NC Zoo Society. This property will transfer to the Uwharrie National Forest within the next year. Two years ago, we received grant money from the Randolph Hospital Foundation and A3 Healthy Communities organization to build a parking area on the property. A scout project set up fencing and built a kiosk.
Food lineup at trail Celebration
Saturday night is time to celebrate the trail, fellowship and our vision for the future. All the partners mentioned thus far, are engaged with the Forest Service to maintain the current trail and connect it to the Birkhead Wilderness, just a mile away. At one of our future celebrations, we'll be celebrating that connection.
REI stores in the Charlotte area were on site with some hammocks for display, cornhole game and a smore station. They also provided a metal firepit for the evening. REI generously provided a number of items for our raffle.
Four Saints Brewing donated beer for the evening. The Forest Service had a couple folks there. Local trail enthusiasts were present including Uwharrie legend, Mike Chisholm. Travis Morehead with the Three Rivers land Conservancy spoke about its role in the Uwharries. Former Uwharrie specialist with Three Rivers LT and now Executive Director with Piedmont Land Conservancy, Kevin Redding was in attendance as well.
David Craft conducted the ceremony, finishing with this year's presentation of the Trail Champion Award. Don Childrey, author of , our trail bible, Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide received the award. Don has been a longtime supporter of the trail and is the only person to complete all 6 thru hikes.
Don Childrey, accompanied by his wife, received Trail Champion Award
The final day of the event, starts out with a 2 mile road walk. This is why we are so dedicated to closing the trail gap to the Birkheads. Hikers start out on blacktop and then the half mile gravel road to the Robbins Branch trailhead. Our event's official route is on Hannah Creek Trail but some participants choose the shorter route on Robbins Branch Trail. Downed trees on both trails are going to require much work. Since motorized equipment is not allowed in Wilderness Areas, it is likely, some of the bigger blowdowns are going to remain with the trail skirting around them.
The first hikers arrive super early, around 10:30am at Tot Hill trailhead. By 2pm, everyone is off the trail and on their way home.
Dave Gardner's 70 gal water tank provided water throughout the hike
There's Dave in the rattlesnake banded cowboy hat
Travis Morehead tells us about the Land Trust's role
This is one of the signs we'll be using to replace the old and sometimes, inaccurate trail signs in the Birkhead Wilderness. Other signs we had made for the trail outside the wilderness, were treated wood with routed lettering painted yellow. In the wilderness, we decided to make the signs out of natural cedar and leave the routed lettering unpainted.
Til next year.
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