Climbing the Cherohala Skyway,
Graham
County, NC
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Reservations and prepayment are required on all Ventures.
Your place on this Venture will be reserved when the full amount has been received. Please make your check payable to VENTURES, Inc. and send it to this address or call the office with your VISA or MasterCard #.
This Venture is limited to 15 participants.
An easy relaxing day and a walk through beautiful scenery. We will have some moderate uphill walking. Bring good walking boots, binoculars and maybe a notebook - just in case you want to write notes!
This spectacular highway winds through 15 miles of the scenic North Carolina Mountains, crests over the 6,000 foot mark before it descends 21 miles into the forests of Tennessee. The road traverses both the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests, hence the name "Chero-hala". It is easy to spend a whole day in this area, starting out early by walking the trails at Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and then spending the rest of the day climbing high into the northern forests along the Skyway. There are several well-marked pull-outs, offering spectacular views and several trails into the surrounding forests.
The birding here is very enjoyable, but most of us only work it during the spring. On one recent autumn exploration, the quantity of migrants coming through was incredible, with thrushes, tanagers and sparrows being everywhere along the roadsides. Warblers are abundant and we hope to amass a very impressive selection of southbound birds. This road certainly bears further exploration in almost any season.
$35 per person per day.
Price includes: A delicious picnic lunch will be provided.
Directions & Time of Departure
We will carpool from the Balsam Gap Visitor Center at 7AM. From I-40/US 74 West, in the direction of Canton/Knoxville, take Exit 27 to US 74/19/23. Continue west on US 74 (at times it is also US 19, US 23, or US 441) for another 12.8 miles and the rest center will be on the left side of the road.
Drivers will be given directions from here to The Skyway. Alternatively you can just meet us there, but please let the Ventures office know.
Dwayne Martin