| Hike | Date |
| Trails Less Traveled: Seven Sisters | Saturday, March 7th, 2026 |
| Fortune Fields/Upper Catawba – Hike with a Cookout and Stories Around the Campfire | Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 |
| Trails Less Traveled Hike – Raven Cliff Falls | Friday, June 5th |
Trails Less Traveled: Seven Sisters Hike
Hike Overview: The Seven Sisters peaks are a familiar sight from Lake Tomahawk. While the Seven Sisters span an expanse of only 3.5 miles, hiking up to and across the range is a strenuous, 9.8-mile distance. Along the way, hike leaders will share historical anecdotes about the peak’s nomenclature, social history, geography, and ecology. The hike has several panoramic views. This hike is recommended only for experienced hikers.
Fortune Fields/Upper Catawba – Hike with a Cookout and Stories Around the Campfire
The original Suwali Nunnahi Trail, which followed the Catawba River to its headwaters, was historically used for centuries by early indigenous people prior to the arrival of the Spanish in the 1550s and 1560’s. This trail became part of the Old Wagon Road which was the first route used by European settlers to explore and settle in the Swannanoa Valley beginning in the late-1770’s, and traveled through what would become the Fortune Fields Property. Join the Swannanoa Valley Museum as the current property owners Rick and Melinda Halford lead us on a 4-to-5-mile moderate hike through the historic property followed by a cookout and stories from local historians around the campfire. Bordered by Chestnut Ridge and surrounding the Upper Catawba River, Fortune Fields, which is rich in beauty and local history, is a magical place to visit.
Meet: 10:15 am – Black Mountain Ingles (550 NC-9; Black Mountain) – Park in the side of the parking lot nearest to the gas station. We will carpool to Fortune Fields from there.
Cookout and Stories Around the Fire Following the Hike: The museum will provide burgers and hot dogs with vegetarian options. Please bring a side to share and beer, wine, or whatever else you might want to drink.
Estimated Return Time: 5:30 pm. Note: If you are not staying for the cookout and campfire, we should be done hiking by about 3:30 pm.
Raven Cliff Falls – Trails Less Traveled
Join us for this approximately 7-mile Moderate Loop Hike with 1,200 feet of climbing to the 400-foot-high Raven Cliff Falls in the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area in South Carolina. This hike is easily accessible with a short 35-minute drive from Mills River. The Blue Ridge Escarpment plunges 2000 feet down into the South Carolina Piedmont below creating many waterfalls and beautiful views in the area. We will hike to the falls overlook and down to a Suspension Bridge which crosses Matthews Creek just above the falls.
Meet: 9:00 am at Ingles – Mills River (3338 Boylston Hwy; Mills River) – Park in the side of the parking lot in front of Ace Hardware (closest to the gas station).
Estimated Return Time to Mills River Ingles: 3:15 pm.
Post Hike Celebration: Appalachian Mountain Brewing – Mills River.
Hiker Resources: