This Land, Your Land

Trails at Dupont State Forest re-opened earlier this week upon completion of work to clear them of debris from winter storms, Forest Supervisor David R. Brown says on the Friends of Dupont Forest Web site.

"This does not mean that trails will be completely free of hazards," he adds. "Visitors to the forest must always be aware of their surroundings, and watch for hazards."

The winter of 2009-'10 was wetter and colder than any winter in recent years, and ice storm debris created hazards on many trails.

The Vista Trail will not be cleared or reopened, the message says.

Dupont State Forest encompasses 10,300 acres on the Transylvania/Henderson county border between Hendersonville and Brevard. The forest has four major waterfalls on Little River, including Triple Falls (below), and several more on Grassy Creek.

In another note on the site, the Friends group has announced that it will not hold the Mother's Day Tour de Falls this year. It cites "a lack of affordable buses."

America's 392 national parks are offering free admission as part of National Park Week, April 17 to 25.

In North Carolina, this means savings at Wright Brothers National Memorial at Manteo, which normally charges $4 for ages 16 and older. It's the only one of nine national parks in the state that charges admission.

Recreation "user fees" such as permit fees, camping fees and tour fees are not waived during the National Park Week promotion.