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."

DuPont State Forest has closed many trials because of debris fallen in recent snow and ice storms, the State Division of Forest Resources announced last week.

"The February 5th ice storm broke lots of tree limbs and tops," the Division says. "Freezing weather and additional snows have hampered cleanup operations. ... Main forest roads are clear, but are muddy when not frozen. ... Most single-track trails have debris in them. They may be passable for hikers, but mountain bikers and horseback riders will find them difficult to negotiate.

"Some trails will be closed temporarily until the ground is completely thawed and we have at least a week without rain or snow."

A list posted March 6 shows 20 trails closed indefinitely because of wet conditions and debris. The list is to be updated weekly.

The 10,300 acre DuPont State Forest is located in Henderson and Transylvania counties between the towns of Hendersonville and Brevard.

The Friends of DuPont Forest will sponsor the annual Tour de Falls Saturday and Sunday, offering a 12-mile tour by shuttle bus to four of Dupont State Forest’s spectacular sites: Triple Falls, High Falls, Bridal Veil Falls and Lake Julia.

Shuttles will run from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., allowing visitors the chance to enjoy each site for as long as they like. The tour generally takes about 2 hours.

DuPont State Forest is located in Henderson and Transylvania counties in western North Carolina. The beginning of the tour is located adjacent to the Buck Forest entrance on Staton/DuPont Road.

The Friends group will have volunteers on each shuttle and at the four stops to provide information about the history of the forest and the work now being done to preserve and protect it. At Lake Julia, the last stop before returning to the parking lot, refreshments will be served in the rustic lodge overlooking the lake.

No advance reservations are required. A $10 per person donation is requested.