The hike to Weatherford Heights explores the history and geography of Y.M.C.A. Blue Ridge Assembly. The hike follows the original boundary line of the conference center’s grounds, surveyed by educator, author, and religious leader Willis Duke Weatherford in 1906. Weatherford sought a permanent location for student training sessions he arranged. When he reached the present site of Blue Ridge Assembly, between two steep forested ridges of the Swannanoa Mountains two miles from Black Mountain, he exclaimed, “Eureka, we have found it!”

Difficulty:  Strenuous, 6 miles

Updated Coronavirus Protocol:
Due to the very high percentage of fully vaccinated people on our hikes, in 2022 we will be returning to our customary hike route and transportation plans. We will be doing one-way hikes that will require a short carpool/driver shuttle system. People in the shuttle cars should mask up and leave some windows open. **If you are uncomfortable with these arrangements, please let the hike committee know at svmhikes@gmail.com and your credits will be reserved for future hikes.**’

We will observe the following hiking procedures due to COVID:

• Please bring a mask to the event to use during carpooling.
• No one who is sick, running a fever or potentially exposed to COVID should attend
• If not vaccinated, masks should be worn in all group settings like sign-in and congregation
  times.
• Social distancing while on the trails is recommended