Local Naturalist Releases Third Hiking Guide
It is with much anticipation and excitement that local naturalist Ken Czarnomski in partnership with the the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority announces the release of the third installment in a series unique local hiking guides – The Blackrock Mountain Hiking Guide.
The partnership between Ken and the TDA came together in 2013 with an idea to create a one-of-a-kind Haywood County specific hiking guide, starting with the Purchase Knob hiking guide. The map was so popular that Ken followed up with a second, Sam’s Summits Loop Trail, and now the latest: the Blackrock Mountain Hiking Guide. Located along the Balsam Ridge area of the Plott Balsams in Haywood County, the guide leads hiking enthusiasts on a 4.6 mile adventure that has the ability to be extended into as much as a 10.8 mile hike if preferred.
The latest guide was of particular interest to Ken due to the trail’s relationship to local land conservation efforts and the special history of the Plott Balsams. Ken was first enticed by this area in the year 2000 when he visited Waterrock Knob (near to the entrance of the trailhead for Blackrock) in the height of fall on one of those exceptionally crisp “Carolina Blue” sky days. At the time, the trail to Blackrock was overgrown and unmarked, but now sixteen years later, the Blackrock Mountain trail is now maintained by the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy.
The area Ken highlighted in the guide – the Balsam Mountain Range – is home to a significant part of Haywood County heritage, the Plott Balsams. The Plott family, who settled in the area just prior to the 1790’s, brought with them thoroughbred hounds of German descent. The Plotts bred the lineage and trained them to hunt large game, like black bears. The tradition of this breed has continued and Plott Hounds are now one of the most sought after big game hunting dogs in the country. The breed is also appropriately dubbed as the official state dog of North Carolina, proudly hailing from Haywood County. The history of the hound is celebrated every June at PlottFest in Maggie Valley, NC. Because of the Plott family’s contribution of these great dogs, a portion of the Balsam Mountain Range was named the Plott Balsams. The new guide includes the history of the family and the dog, as well as information about the actual mountain range. This is one of the aspects that makes Ken’s guides stand out from others – they include both a detailed hiking map and the intriguing history and information about the actual mountains you are exploring.
With PlottFest taking place June 18 – 19, the guides have been released just in time for the annual celebration. Guides will be available for free at the festival and can also be obtained at the Haywood County Visitor Center in Maggie Valley. “We are pleased to be offering the Blackrock Mountain map at PlottFest 2016,” says Amy Spivey, co-founder of PlottFest. “The map is a great addition to our festival and an asset for visitors to the area. The maps are beautiful and informative. I appreciate that they will assist our guests as they explore the splendor of the mountains,” says Amy.
How Can I Get A Copy?
For more information on the guides or to pick up your own copy of the free Blackrock Mountain Hiking Guide, stop by the Haywood County Visitor Center at 1110 Soco Rd., Maggie Valley, NC 28751.