Message from the Mayor - Lake Lure Designated as Part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail

By Carol Pritchett, Mayor

Town of Lake Lure

August 2023

I am very pleased to announce that some trail sections in the Town of Lake Lure have officially been designated as part of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail (HNGST). The following trail sections have been designated as segments of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail.

• 2.5 miles of the Lake Lure Green Space
• 0.4 miles of the Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail
• All 3.5 miles of the Buffalo Creek Park Trail
• All 8.7 miles of the Weed Patch Mountain Trail

Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail will provide a connection between Chimney Rock State Park; Lake Lure; Upper Hickory Nut Gorge, including Bearwallow Mountain, Florence Nature Preserve, and Wildcat Rock; and Buffalo Creek Park. Local citizens, visitors, and even wildlife will be able to use this connection to access natural lands while protected from vehicular traffic. This is a map of the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail (HNGST).

Much of the land that the HNGST will be constructed on is protected by both Chimney Rock State Park and Conserving Carolina, a western North Carolina land trust. The image in the center of the state trail's blaze is a salamander — one of the most endangered vertebrate groups in the world. Salamanders are one of many species that depend on conserved land to survive. A full fifth of the world's salamander diversity can be found in the American South, and no state has more salamander species than North Carolina, which has more than 60.  This is a fun fact for your next Trivia game!

Upper Boulders Trail at Buffalo Creek Park: As we celebrate this new distinction for Lake Lure trails it is the perfect time to showcase the new Upper Boulders Trail at Buffalo Creek Park.  The Town of Lake Lure and the Carolina Climbers are delighted to invite you to the grand opening celebration of the new Upper Boulders Trail.   This new 2-mile trail provides access to expanded bouldering and climbing opportunities within Buffalo Creek Park.  The Upper Boulder Trail features a creek with cascades and a summit view.  Note that this trail is open for hiking only.

Fall Round Table Meetings: In addition to this event, I would like to take the opportunity to invite you all to the Town of Lake Lure Fall Round Table Meetings. The purpose of the meeting is to give community members opportunities to ask questions, share ideas, and get information about the Town of Lake Lure and upcoming projects. The meetings are open to the public.  One forum will be held on The Terrace, outside of Legends at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure and the other meeting will be in the Lake Lure Municipal Hall. Please join us to be sure you have the latest information.

WHEN: Tuesday, 9/19/23 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

WHERE: The Terrace at Rumbling Bald, 153 Mountains Blvd, Lake Lure, NC 28746

or

WHEN: Thursday, 9/21/23 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Please note that we rescheduled our second Round Table Meeting to 9/21/23 to avoid conflicting with the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation's Community Impact Awards Dinner scheduled for 9/20/23. You may see an advertisement for this date in the Mountain Breeze but the meeting was rescheduled to 9/21/23 so people could attend both events.

WHERE: Lake Lure Municipal Hall, 2948 Memorial Highway, Lake Lure, NC 28746

RSVP: Please RSVP to Communications@townoflakelure.com or call 828-625-9983 x 103. 

I appreciate the support of our citizens as we continue our work to preserve Lake Lure for future generations. I look forward to seeing you at the upcoming meetings and events.