December Newsletter
Welcome to all of our new and returning ROC members and sponsors!
Haley Speer
David Stoutenburgh
Nancy Kubale
The support we receive from memberships helps us to continue improving local trails, lead group hikes and river floats, and create new outdoor programs. Membership is only $35 for individuals and families, and $100 for businesses. We also offer multiple sponsorship opportunities for businesses to help expand and enhance outdoor recreation in Rutherford County.
Members get discounts at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, Barley’s Taproom, Copper Penny, Main Street Coffee, The Scoop, and recently added: Grumpy’s Bike Shop! Grumpy’s is located across the street from the ROC Office on W. Main St. in Spindale. Check them out for all your biking needs and great service!
Click the link below for more details about becoming a member.
| December 3rd is Giving Tuesday! ROC is committed to providing meaningful outdoor experiences for the people of Rutherford County, while expanding environmental education and stewardship opportunities to take care of the places we all love. We want to make the outdoors accessible and enjoyable for all, here today and for future generations.
Since the hurricane, we’ve been expanding necessary resources and mobilizing volunteers to help with relief efforts and trail and river restoration. With increasing needs, your support means more than ever. We have a $1,000 donor match for donations this month – help us meet this match and double your impact today! This match will only last for the month of December, so be sure to make the most of your donation today. |
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Chainsaw Certification Class
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Have you found debris along the Broad River? ROC is gathering information about the following to share with local partners and help develop a plan for river restoration:
- Large amounts of litter and debris
- Pollution sources
- Downed or hanging trees
- Extreme erosion or landslides
- Large objects in the water (cars, boats, building debris, metal)
Send a picture and GPS coordinates to info@rutherfordoutdoor.org or submit a report here. Please avoid entering the river at this time, and only take pictures from riverbanks if you are able to do so safely. Thank you for helping heal our river!
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Broad River Sampling
 
Broad River sampling continues to show positive results on the road to recovery. Bacteria levels are trending lower at all sites, although turbidity remains high below the Lake Lure Dam. Check out the full list of sites in the above picture with many thanks to Broad Riverkeeper. |
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| Want to help protect the Broad River? The Department of Environmental Quality is accepting comments on the 2024 Broad River Basin Plan. This is a great opportunity to advocate and influence a healthy future for our river. Take action here!
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Local Trail Statuses
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| Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park & Lake Lure Green Space: OPEN!
Our local trails near Lake Lure are finally open for the public! The Dittmer-Watts trails and connecting portion of the Green Space are fully cleared of trees thanks to the Town of Lake Lure, volunteers from Camp Lurecrest, and the National Guard. However, the portion of the Green Space across the street near the Fire Department is still closed! Please avoid this area, as it is still being used for lake operations as they continue to recover and clean up from the storm. |
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| Thermal Belt Rail Trail: OPEN!
The Thermal Belt Rail Trail is clear of trees and now fully passable. Please proceed with caution as there are still overhanging and protruding trees remaining. Many thanks to Rutherford County Government, Town of Spindale, Town of Forest City, Town of Rutherfordton, and all who contributed to the re-opening of the trail! |
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| Purple Martin Greenway: OPEN!
The Purple Martin Greenway is clear of trees and open for use. Thank you to Ruff’ton Roots, Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, Town of Rutherfordton Public Works, and all who helped make this happen! |
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| Buffalo Creek Park
The trails at Buffalo Creek Park are CLOSED.
There have been multiple landslides and many trees have fallen.
This trail will be closed for the foreseeable future, but see below for an update on damage assessment. |
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| Weedpatch Mountain Trail
The Weedpatch Mountain Trail is CLOSED.
Due to the high amount of trees and landslides, the trail is impassable. See below for an update on damage assessment. |
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| Surrounding Area Trails
Many trails in our area are closed, but a number have reopened this month with hopefully more to come soon. Check out updates on the areas below!
- DuPont State Recreational Forest: Partially Open
- Pisgah National Forest: Partially Open
- Pisgah Ranger District is open but the Grandfather and Appalachian Ranger Districts remain closed. Check the Pisgah Ranger District visitor center near Brevard for the most up to date trails info.
- NC State Parks: Partially Open
- Crowder’s Mountain State Park
- Gorges State Park
- Grandfather Mountain State Park
- Lake Norman State Park
- Rendezvous Mountain State Park
- Lake James State Park
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Buffalo Creek Park Loop and Weed Patch Mountain Trail Update
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| ROC, Conserving Carolina, the Carolina Climbers Coalition, the Town of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock State Park met in late October to discuss trail assessments, restoration possibilities, and timelines for opening trails. We are all working together to gather data about the extent of damage and estimate the cost of repairing trails such as Strawberry Gap, Youngs Mountain, Chimney Rock State Park trails, Buffalo Creek Park, and Weed Patch Mountain.
With a clear path forward regarding documenting damage, initial assessments of the Weed Patch Mountain Trail have begun. So far, we have detailed documentation starting at the Buffalo Creek Park loop and ending at marker 102 of Weed Patch.
See the screenshots below of the field map detailing the issues found on the Buffalo Creek Park loop and Weed Patch trail. Green dots are trees down, orange and red are missing or damaged tread, blue is water related damage, and pink is landslide damage.
Stay tuned as we continue scouting and documenting damage done to these trails. |
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Extension Trail (Weed Patch marker 1-42)
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Weed Patch Mountain Trail (marker 42-102)
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| The next Race in the ROC Race Series is a downtown run through Forest City: Hope Network Be the Light 5K! Don’t miss this beautiful run through Forest City’s Christmas light display! Click the link to register today. There are only 3 races left in this year’s Race Series! Be sure to check out the schedule on our website and register so you don’t miss them.
If you’d like to receive the Race Series Newsletter and stay in the loop, click here to automatically join the list. To volunteer with ROC at one of these races, contact Gabe at gabe@rutherfordoutdoor.org. |
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PO Box 1349
Rutherfordton, NC 28139
828-351-3235
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Get Outdoors!
Our monthly newsletters keep you informed and help you find ways to Get Outdoors! Inside each newsletter you will find insightful news and information on our Race Series, recent events and upcoming events with ways for you to participate and even volunteer. Sign up below for a wealth of information on Rutherford County trails and events.
PO Box 1349 Rutherfordton, NC 28139 
