Friday, October 4,1996
Gttaway
Page 7
at Pisgah
Off-road Vehicle Trails
Picntckinf
Rafting
Restaurants Nearby
Rock Climbing
Scenic Drives
Snowmobiling
Snowshoeing
Swimming Beaches
Swimming Poo!
, I Visitor Center
Wilderness Backpacking
Winter Camping
Wheelchair Trails
£
CRADL' of FORiSTRY IN AM RICA
EXHIBITS ♦ TRAILS '# ^-OOD
(Top) The Cradle of Forestry has been a popular attraction for many
years. It has been enjoyed by many. (Bottom) Sliding Rock, formed by
natural means, has awed many visitors. Clarion photo by Rhonda Parker
•I.'’
Forest Service has been forced to erect
a fence this year so that visitors will not
endanger themselves by getting too
close to the 60 foot cliff The waterfall
is especially beautiful during the winter
because the water seeping through the
rock formation freezes, leaving many
beautiful icicle forms.
The Pisgah Forest National Fish
Hatchery is located about six miles
above the Ranger Station. Visitors are
welcome. It is one of the largest trout
hatcheries in the country.
Sliding Rock touches a little of the
child within us all, to find a reasonable
motive to slide down a very slippery
rock into a very cold pool of mountain
water. Once your motive is clear, slide
until you drop.
If hiking is your thing, you can
hike until you drop on any of the
hundreds of miles of trails within the
forest. Many high and low impact
hikes are available, but if you are
unsure which is best suited for you,
check the maps of trails at the Ranger
Station. They will be glad to help, and
they have many maps for you to look at
and purchase.
Hunting and fishing are allowed in
certain parts of the forest, but those
sports are regulated by the state. You
will need to check with the N.C.
Wildlife Resources Commission for
regulations and license requirements.
You may contact them at: l-800“662-
7137.
If a nice slow ride is all you want
to do, there is an access to The Blue
Ridge Parkway a few miles above
Sliding Rock. The “Parkway” is a
designated “scenic drive”. There are
numerous overlooks and stunning
scenery to view. Around seventeen
million people visit the “Parkway” each
year. It is open year round, except
when severe weather conditions force
the closure of some sections. Most of
the visitor’s centers are open from April
to October.
This is only a short review of the
many places to go and things to do in
and around the Pisgah National Forest.
The area offers a nice diversion from
the classroom and, of course,
homework. As you enjoy the forest and
its many offerings, please try to
remember to pick up and throw away
any trash you may be tempted to leave
so the next person won’t have to.
For information on this or any
other National Forest or Park, write to;
National Park Supervisor’s Office,
160A Zillicoa Street, Asheville, N.C.,
28802 or feel free to call (704) 257-
4200.