Cartoogechaye fourth grade experiences fall colors on the AT

The Nantahala Hiking Club (NHC), the Franklin based Appalachian Trail (AT) maintaining club, provided eight hike leaders to support Cartoogechaye’s annual hike to Siler Bald last month.

More than 70 students and parents participated on the hike from Wayah Crest to Siler Bald and return on the AT. The field trip introduced hiking as a live long healthy living activity. On the hike students learned about various plants and trees and the work required to maintain the AT (The “Peoples Trail”) as a primitive hiking trail.

Prior to the hike the NHC gave a presentation to the students on the history of the AT, the preparations needed for a day hike (www.hikesafe.com) and the principles of Leave No Trace (www.lnt.org).

The outreach to the local schools provided by the NHC is part of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s Trail to Every Classroom program. The program’s key tenants are place based education, service learning and volunteerism.

To learn more about local hiking and volunteer opportunities to care for America’s first National Scenic Trail, which is literally in our backyard, visit www.nantahalahikingclub.org or on Facebook.