Good News! The DuPont Forest single-track trails are now open! There are few trail closures still in effect including:
Last week, Riverbend Trail was closed permanently and a new spur trail was opened to allow access to the base of High Falls. The old trail was often flooded and caused sedimentation problems due to the proximity to the river.
The new High Falls Loop is approximately 2 miles (from the High Falls parking lot and back). New directional signs have also been placed along the trail to help guide visitors. The spur trail will more effectively shed water than the old Riverbend Trail and allow quicker access to the base of High Falls for visitors and emergency responders. The trail is open to hikers, cyclists, and equestrians.
A new Forest Trail Map can be found here – www.dupontforest.com/visit/maps/.
The DuPont Forest Festival Committee is pleased to announce the schedule of events for the first ever DuPont
Forest Festival, September 22, 2018.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to lead an activity. We have an impressive line up of events including:
Check out the full lineup. Exact locations, dates, and descriptions will be announced in May. Stay tuned!
Big thanks to our Forest Festival Sponsors! Learn more about becoming a sponsor here.
Who knew that a new bathroom could be so exciting? But we are excited! Construction on the brand new Hooker Falls Access Area bathroom started on Monday, April 16th and is expected to be completed by mid-August. (see press release from NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services here).
Back in 2016 Friends of DuPont Forest pledged $50,000 for the sorely needed bathrooms and we are thrilled to have honored that pledge this week.
PLEASE BE ADVISED
During the construction, the upper lot at Hooker Falls will be closed. As we move into the busy season, here are some things to keep in mind.
Keep up with the status of the Hooker Falls project visit ncforestservice.gov.
We had a record number of volunteers come out on March 10th for our Trail Crew Work Day. Twenty-seven volunteers cleared more than 20 drains including some that required major rebuilds. Thank you to all who came out including several folks from Pisgah Area SORBA. We appreciate all the hard work you do to keep our trails pristine.
To volunteer with the DuPont Trail Crew, join Friends of DuPont and sign up.
On National Public Lands Day, Saturday September 22, 2018 Friends of DuPont Forest will launch the first ever DuPont Forest Festival, an event celebrating the adventure, wildness, and beauty of DuPont State Recreational Forest.
“We envision a schedule of events that weave in guided tours – hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding, educational lectures, and hands-on demonstrations. I think of it as an outdoor conference that shows off DuPont Forest and teaches our communities about the importance of our public lands and their role in protecting them,” says Sara Landry, executive director of Friends of DuPont Forest.
Friends of DuPont Forest is now accepting proposals for Forest Festival activities. The organization invites members of the community to share their outdoor knowledge and lead a demonstration, tour, or lecture. To put your name in the hat, submit your Forest Festival Activity proposal. The deadline to submit your proposal is March 16th, 2018.
Possible activities include:
Science Experiments
Wildlife Hike
Tree Identification Hike
Forestry Demonstration
Fly Fishing Demonstration
Horseback Riding Tour / Demonstration
Map / Compass Demonstration
Outdoor Gear Demonstration
Optimizing Avenza Map App
Mountain Bike Demonstration
Mountain Bike Tour
Demo Day at Lake Julia
Yoga at Big Rock
History Tour
Movie Tour
For questions about the proposal process and / or sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sara Landry at 828.713.2368 or saralandry@dupontforest.com.
