THE PANTHER’S ROAR · days, and a presentation by Jennifer Pharr Davis, 2011 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, to a sold-out audience at Sapphire Valley Country Club.!

Friends of Panthertown The Panther’s Roar Panthertown Valley WNC

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Printed on Recycled PaperPage !1Autumn 2018

EVENT CALENDAR !F r i . November 23 M e m b e r H i k e , R S V P w i t h Ja s o n K i m e n k e r 9 : 30a m a t S a l t R o c k S a t . December 1 Headwaters Half Marathon in Panthertown Val ley 10 :00am at Salt Rock

THE PANTHER’S ROAR PO BOX 51 CASHIERS, NC 28717 | WWW.PANTHERTOWN.ORG | (828) 269-HIKE

Autumn 2018 Friends of Panthertown News

Photo of July 28 Blackrock Overlook hike participants contributed by Virginia Guilfoile!!Members Explore Panthertown On Guided Hikes!!Many of our members and their guests enjoyed exploring Panthertown this summer with several opportunities to join our guided and interpretive hikes. Each season we lead hikes to different places in Panthertown Valley. As a member, you are invited to join us on any hike we have scheduled. Group size is limited, so make sure you RSVP soon. Autumn is a favorite time of the year to visit and explore Panthertown. We hope to meet you on the trails this season.!!In June, Tony Austin led members from Cold Mountain Gap up Little Green Mountain to Tranquility Point, and then later in the month Tony Austin and Mike Purdy led a group of volunteers up Greenland Creek Trail to maintain and keep it clear for visitors. !!In July, Virginia Guilfoile and Virginia Willard led a guided hike along Blackrock Trail, Overlook Trail, and Carlton’s Way, and then visited several popular waterfalls in Panthertown, including Granny Burrell Falls, Frolictown Falls, and Wilderness Falls. !!In August, Bill Jacobs led a remarkable and educational “Geology of Panthertown” interpretive hike for members and their guests. This was one of our most popular hikes. (Continues on Page 4) !!

“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.”

- William Shakespeare

OUR MISSION !The mission of Friends of Panthertown is to work in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service to

conserve this outstanding natural resource while

improving the quality and experience of recreational

opportunities in Panthertown Valley.

JOIN OR RENEW !!It’s time to join

Friends or renew your membership. !Donate to Protect

panthertown.org/join

http://panthertown.org/join

http://panthertown.org/join

https://panthertown.org/about/

http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/recarea/?recid=48686

https://panthertown.org/panthertown-valley

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http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/nfsnc/recreation/recarea/?recid=48686

https://panthertown.org/panthertown-valley


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www.panthertown.orgPage !2Autumn 2018

!!!We appreciate and want to thank all of our members and volunteers for your cont inued support and contributions this summer and into autumn. We could not do the work that is needed in Panthertown without YOU! We are very grateful. !To volunteer, or to Adopt-A-Trail in Panthertown, visit our website, call us at (828) 269-HIKE (4453), or send an e-mail to: [email protected] !Thanks to Cullasaja Women’s Organization for a generous $3,000 grant in support of our ongoing Panthertown volunteer program and to support educational outreach in the Cashiers-Highlands community.

We had a great summer program with Boys & Girls Club of The Plateau where we met with 85 students from Blue Ridge and S u m m i t C h a r t e r s c h o o l s t o e n c o u r a g e s t e w a r d s h i p o f Panthertown and help inspire potential future outdoor leaders in our community. The program was made possible by a grant from Wade Hampton Donor Advised Fund. !

U. S . Fo r e s t S e r v i c e Cautions Visitors To Be Safe Around Waterfalls!USFS reminds visitors to the National Forests of NC that waterfalls are beautiful to look at but can be dangerous. Don’t be the next victim! Waterfal l safety is extremely important to us and should be important to you and your loved ones. Unsafe behaviors around waterfalls has led to death and injuries which can involve long painful recoveries or leave permanent damage to your body. Observe and obey all posted signs. Stay on marked trails and observation areas. Do not jump off waterfalls or dive into pools. Do not swim or wade upstream near a waterfall. Expect rocks and leaves to be slick around waterfalls. Watch your children and pets at all times. Be mindful so you, your family, and your friends can enjoy your visit and return home safe and sound. Your safety is your responsibility!!

News & Happenings!We hope you enjoy our autumn edition of The Panther’s Roar, hot off the press. !

We stayed busy this summer maintaining the 30 mile trail system in Panthertown and encouraging visitors to be good stewards of the forest and practice Leave No Trace principles of outdoor ethics when visiting.!

We worked with local students at the Boys & Girls Club to help inspire these future leaders, and hosted guided hikes, trail work days, and a presentation by Jennifer Pharr Davis, 2011 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, to a sold-out audience at Sapphire Valley Country Club.!

Our outstanding volunteers have worked hard to keep the trails maintained and our hike leaders have led and interpreted some very popular guided hikes in Panthertown Valley. Hike participants have enjoyed exploring Panthertown and learning more about Friends of Panthertown and the work that we do to protect this special place. Our guided hikes and trail work days are both great ways to get involved and meet others who also care for Panthertown.!

!!B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s

Margaret Carton President !

Mike Purdy V.P. Trail Boss!

Virginia Willard V.P. Development!

Paul Johnson Treasurer!

Tony Austin Mike English Mike Kettles Margo Purdy

Tom West Wynette Wiles

Jason Kimenker!Executive Director!

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Friends of Panthertown is a 501(c)(3) non-profit

organization. All donations and memberships are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law.!

PA N T H E RTO W N B E A R A L E RT

See important informationposted on our website at panthertown.org/bears

Greenland Creek Falls

http://panthertown.org/bears

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Panthertown Valley Expo & Picnic Held On National Trails Day !Our inaugural Expo kicked off June 2 with a picnic at the Salt Rock Gap overlook followed by the Expo at Sapphire Community Center sponsored by Bald Rock POA, Highland Hiker, and Oskar Blues Brewery. The Expo featured music by Geoff McBride and George Reeves. Exhibitors included Friends, Jackson County Parks & Recreation, Bear Tracks Trading Co., Panthertown Map Assoc., Bill Jacobs,



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Panthertown Guided Hikes (C o n t i n u e d f r o m P a g e 1 ) : I n e a r l y August , M i ke P u rd y l ed a t ra i l work d a y w h i l e Wy n e t t e Wi l e s a n d M i ke English led another group on a guided hike to some of Panthertown’s prettiest views. Wildflowers were st i l l in bloom and ever yone enjoyed themselves while l e a r n i n g m o r e a b o u t t h e wo r k we d o .

Photos from Panthertown guided hike contributed by Wynette Wiles



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BearVault Canisters Now Available For Backcountry Food Storage !Panthertown Valley is designated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as part of the Panthertown-Bonas Defeat Bear Sanctuary. Black bears live here. This is their protected home.!!The U.S. Fores t Ser v ice and Fr iends o f Panthertown strongly recommend all overnight campers in Panthertown Valley use bear-proof containers for storing food and scented items. Suspending food properly from a tree is no longer recommended in Panthertown due to clever bears. !Friends of Panthertown recommends and is now an authorized reseller of backcountry BearVault canisters. The medium sized BV450 is available to purchase for $69.95 and the larger BV500 costs $79.95. Both canisters are made in the U.S.A. of super rugged materials and come with a lifetime warranty from BearVault. These food storage containers are an excellent investment. They are worth the peace of mind they will provide you when camping overnight in black bear territory.!!For more information about black bears in Panthertown visit panthertown.org/bears To purchase a BearVault contact us via e-mail at [email protected] or call (828) 269-HIKE.!

Photos from July 28 guided hike contributed by Virginia Guilfoile






Na t i o n a l G e o g ra p h i c Ad v e n t u r e r o f t h e Ye a r S p o k e a t Fr i e n d s o f Pa n t h e r t o w n B e n e f i t !

Friends of Panthertown hosted a presentation in August by Jennifer Pharr Davis, long distance hiker, author, speaker, and National Geographic Adventurer of the Year. The program was held at The County Club of Sapphire Valley.!!Jennifer Pharr Davis has logged over 14,000 miles on six different continents, including thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail, the Colorado Trail, Vermont’s Long Trail, numerous trails in Europe, and the Appalachian Trail three times. In 2011, Jennifer wanted to test her physical limits. With the help of her husband Brew and a dedicated group of friends, she set the fastest known time (male or female) on the “A.T.” by hiking 47 miles a day for 46 days straight.!!More educational presentations by other speakers are planned for 2019. Watch your e-mails and check our website next year or visit our pages on social media for Panthertown related news and updated event information.!

Tra i l Vo l u n t e e r s Ha v e Fu n & Wo r k Ha rd !

Sign -up today to volunteer ! Visit panthertown.org/volunteer/ for info.!!

Friend of Panthertown Executive Director, Jason Kimenker, was a featured speaker in October at the 2018 Outdoor Economy Conference at Western Carolina University. Jason co-led a well-attended presentation with Michael Despeaux of Nantahala Area SORBA, each discussing the benefits and necessity of volunteerism and stewardship in Western North Carolina’s outdoor economy. We appreciate our volunteers!


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A Different Perspective : Autumn In Panthertown Valley As Seen From Above!These autumn aerial photos of Panthertown Valley were taken in October 2018 and submitted by Scott Burns of Jackson County. He shared, “Panthertown Valley from the sky… Blackrock seems to be right below me and it is easy to spot Little Green Mountain and Big Green Mountain… and many of you can fill in all the spaces in between… and some just out of sight”. Lake Toxaway is seen at the top of the photos and the deep green of the pine forest can be seen towards the middle. (Photos by Scott Burns)!




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THE PANTHER’S ROAR · days, and a presentation by Jennifer Pharr Davis, 2011 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, to a sold-out audience at Sapphire Valley Country Club.!