JOIN THE SVM’S MEMBERS ONLY HIKING CLUB!
These will be moderate monthly hikes of approximately 5-7 miles on weekdays in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina. They will be loop or out and back hikes within a 1-hour drive of Black Mountain in areas like The Craggies, Big Ivey, Old Fort, Pisgah National Forest, Bent Creek, Florence Preserve, Shope Creek, North Mills Recreation Area and others. All you need to do to join us is to maintain your active museum membership and pay a $30 annual club fee.
During the middle of each month, we will send out an email to our hiking club members with the date and details for the hike which will take place during the following month. The days that the hikes are on will vary so more people have a chance to hike.
For more information and hike details, please email svmhikes@gmail.com.
What: Monthly Weekday Hikes for Swannanoa Valley Museum Members.
Cost: Current Swannanoa Valley Museum Membership Plus $30 Annual Hiking Club Fee.
Hikes: Moderate Hikes – 5 to 7 miles.
Where: Western NC including The Craggies, Big Ivey, Old Fort, Pisgah National Forest, Bent Creek, Blue Ridge Parkway Trails, Florence Preserve, Shope Creek, North Mills River Recreation Area, and others.
When: One weekday per month.
UPCOMING HIKES (click date below to register)
SVM Members Hike #4: Babel Tower – Linville Gorge- Monday , March 31st, at 8:50 am.
Babel Tower – Linville Gorge
This 3.5-mile moderate to strenuous out and back hike to Babel Tower is one you do not want to miss. The legendary Babel Tower offers some of the most spectacular views of the Linville Gorge and the Linville River. We will descend 870 feet over 1.3 miles from the rim of the Linville Gorge to Babel Tower where there will be a short scramble to get to the top of the massive Babel Tower Rock Formation. After taking in the views, we will head down another ½ mile to the river before climbing back up 1,380 feet over 1.5 miles back up the trail to our cars. As with most of the trails in the gorge, this trail can be rocky and root-filled at spots.
Meet: 9:00 am – Hillman Beer – 78 Catawba Ave, Old Fort. Park in the large lot behind the brewery. We will carpool to the trailhead in the Linville Gorge from there (approx.1hour). It will help if drivers have trucks or 4-wheel drive vehicles with some clearance as the road along the gorge to the trail can be rough.
Estimated Return Time to Cars: 3:30 pm
Post Hike Celebration: TBD
SVM Members Hike #5: Camp Rockmont– Thursday, April 17th at 10:00 am
This 4.5-Mile moderate Loop with an elevation gain of 850 feet that includes a couple of short steeper climbs will explore some of the lessor-known trails and a waterfall in Camp Rockmont. We will learn about the storied past of Camp Rockmont and Black Mountain College. It is such a privilege to hike in this beautiful area. You do not want to miss this one!
Meet: 10:00 am – Paved Lot off Lake Eden Road in front of the Correctional Institute/Old Moore General Hospital Location. From Old 70 Near Grovestone Road, Proceed toward Swannanoa and take a right turn on Lake Eden Road just past the Grove Stone Quarry. You will see a paved area on your left.
Estimated Return Time to Cars: 2:30 pm