i wilderness gate wa ystate trail study · stakeholders to explain the state trail concept. staff...
TRANSCRIPT
! ! WildernessGateway2019
I
Wilderness Gateway State Trail Study
NC Division of Parks and Recreation
December 1, 2019
Contents
Introduction ..........................................................................1
Planning area ........................................................................2
Location ...............................................................................2
Results .................................................................................6
Maps:
Wilderness Gateway State Trail Planning Corridor .......................7 Segment 1 ...................................................................................8 Segment 2 ...................................................................................9 Segment 3 .................................................................................10 Segment 4 .................................................................................11 Segment 5 .................................................................................12 Segment 6 .................................................................................13 Segment 7 .................................................................................14 Segment 8 .................................................................................15 Segment 9 .................................................................................16 Segment 10 ...............................................................................17
Conclusion ...........................................................................18
Next Steps ...........................................................................19
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
1
INTRODUCTION
In 2019, the General Assembly authorized the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to add the Wilderness Gateway State Trail to the State Parks System. During the same session the General Assembly directed the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation (Division) to conduct a feasibility study of connecting the trail with various natural areas, trails and communities in the four counties of the trail proposed corridor.
The vision for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail entails three primary purposes: conservation, recreation and tourism.
By protecting and conserving riparian corridors and other important habitats the trail corridors will serve as ecological connectors between larger tracts of natural lands enabling the migration of wildlife and ensuring the genetic viability of wildlife and plant populations. In this way, the trail is part of a statewide conservation strategy to ensure the future health and beauty of North Carolina’s natural resources.
By creating pathways, enhancing walkable downtowns areas and building urban greenways in areas where North Carolina residents live and work, the trail will provide safe and pleasant recreation and exercise opportunities. This offers easy and enjoyable ways for people to improve their health with more physical activity.
Finally, by creating recreational opportunities with access to scenic wilderness areas and connections to multiple downtowns, all easily accessible from I-40, the trail will attract visitors from North Carolina as well as other states.
Division staff have visited the trail corridor and have met with potential stakeholders to explain the state trail concept. Staff have listened to input, begun recruiting segment managers and begun resolving issues. Finally, staff conducted a GIS analysis to determine a potential corridor for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, within which segment managers will be able to construct and manage trail segments for inclusion in the State Trail.
Stakeholder meetings were held.
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
2
PLANNING AREA
The legislation that created the Wilderness Gateway State Trail stated:“The Division of Parks and Recreation of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources shall study the feasibility of connecting the Town of Valdese, the City of Hickory, the Overmountain Victory State Trail, natural areas located within Burke and Catawba counties, as well as other communities and places of interest to the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. In conducting this study, the Division shall specifically consider improving access across and from Interstate 40 to the northeastern and western portions of South Mountains State Park.”
Using this direction, the planning area for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail encompasses Catawba, Burke, McDowell and Rutherford Counties. Meetings with officials from each of the counties and major towns within the planning area were held to help refine the planning corridor. Foothills Conservancy of NC and Conserving Carolinas Land Conservancy were also included in this planning effort.
Initial trail concept as outlined by the NC General Assembly.
l
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
3
The Wilderness Gateway State Trail will connect with the Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail (near Chimney Rock State Park) and will meander along the boundary of Rutherford and McDowell counties to connect to South Mountains State Park. From South Mountains State Park, the trail will travel through Burke and Catawba Counties, with connections to Valdese and Hickory. Much of the trail corridor in Catawba County will be developed in conjunction with the Carolina Thread Trail. Part of the initial development of the State Trail will be a blueway (paddle trail) on the Jacob Fork and Henry Fork Rivers. In the future, trails along the banks of these rivers and connecting to Bakers Mountain are envisioned.
LOCATION
This proposed corridor will intersect with locations of signature events in North Carolina history including Native American settlements, Spanish exploration, the Overmountain Victory men, textile and furniture industries, music and moonshine.
Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail, in Rutherford County, will be the western terminus of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. Hickory Nut Gorge State Trail connects Chimney Rock State Park, Lake Lure, Bat Cave and Bearwallow Mountain. Some of North Carolina’s most dramatic mountain scenery is found at Chimney Rock State Park, with the signature 315-foot spire overlooking Hickory Nut Gorge and Lake Lure.
Rutherford County was formed in 1779 and named after the Revolutionary War general and member of the North Carolina Provincial Congress, Griffith Rutherford. The county seat is Rutherfordton. The economy of Rutherford County includes tourism, Christmas trees, and textiles. The county is 564 square miles and is in the Broad River basin. In 2016 the population was estimated to be 66,421.
The southwestern segment of the Wilderness Gate-way Trail will connect with Chimney Rock State Park
South Mountains State Park and the adjacent gamelands provide ample outdoor recreational opportunities.
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
4
McDowell County was formed from Rutherford and Burke Counties in 1842. It is named after Joseph McDowell, a general in the Revolutionary War. Originally Cherokee and Catawba Indian territory, today Marion is the county seat. The economy revolves around Christmas tree production, furniture and pharmaceuticals. It is 440 square miles, with approximately 75% of the land forested. Located in the Broad and Catawba River basins, McDowell County had an estimated population of 45,075 in 2016.
The Overmountain Victory Trail is a National Historic Trail that stretches for 330 miles through four states (Virginia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina). in 2019 the North Carolina portion was made a North Carolina State Trail by the state General Assembly. The Overmountain Victory Trail traces the route used by patriot militia during the pivotal Kings Mountain campaign of 1780. Thomas Jefferson called the victory of American patriots over British Major Patrick Ferguson’s army at King’s Mountain in October 1780, the battle that “turned the tide of success” in the Revolutionary War.
The trail follows the path that these citizen soldiers followed as they mustered to fight at Kings Mountain. Research done by the National Park Service has identified a narrow corridor for the trail. While there is a commemorative motor trail, users of the State Trail will be protected from vehicular traffic, following the alignment identified by the National Park Service. The Wilderness Gateway and Overmountain Victory State Trails will be co-located in portions of McDowell and Burke Counties.
South Mountains Game Lands offers over 22,000 acres for public hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife viewing, and other wildlife-based recreational activities. The game land also provides other public outdoor recreational opportunities to the extent that these uses are compatible with the conservation and management of wildlife resources and do not displace primary users. The most popular activities
Both Valdese and Hickory have walkable downtown districts which will dovetail nicely with the Wilderness Gateway trail.
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
5
besides hunting/fishing are hiking, horseback riding, and photography. Additional activities such as mountain biking and geocaching occur at lower levels. Horseback riding on a 13.7-mile designated trail is currently allowed from May 15 to August 31.
South Mountains State Park, the largest North Carolina State Park at just over 22,000 acres, is an important part of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail corridor. Opportunities for camping, mountain biking and horseback riding, trout fishing, and spectacular scenery will enhance the trail experience. A visitor center offers museum-quality exhibits on the cultural and natural history of the South Mountains. The Catawba Valley and the gaps across the mountain ranges to the west were once major travel routes. The South Mountains served as a buffer zone between the Cherokee and the Catawba Indians, and the first European settlers in the area farmed the fertile land along the Catawba River.
Together, South Mountains State Park and South Mountains Game Lands serve as an important reservoir for endangered, threatened, or rare species including the white irisette, bog turtle, and small whorled pogonia. An additional 33 species are considered significantly rare, endemic, or species of special concern at the state level. Many common species of both flora and fauna occur through out both areas.
Burke County was formed in 1777 and named for Thomas Burke, NC governor and delegate to the Continental Congress. Morganton is the county seat. The county has the highest proportion of state government employees, outside of Raleigh, due to the North Carolina School for the Deaf, Broughton Hospital, Western Carolina Hospital and Western Correctional Center. The economy includes forest products, chemicals, and tourism. The county takes up 507 square miles and is in the Catawba River basin. In 2016 the population was estimated to be 88,851.
Valdese will provide an interesting cultural component for trail users. This town was founded by the Waldensians, Italian immigrants in the late 19th century. Their history is on display throughout Valdese including museums, Trail of Faith and the Waldensian Heritage Winery.
Catawba County was formed from Lincoln County in 1842 and is named for the Catawba Indians who once inhabited the land. Newton is the county seat, although Hickory is the largest city. Furniture, telecommunications equipment, and agricul-ture comprise a diversified economy. Located in the Catawba River basin, it occu-pies 398 square miles. The Carolina Thread Trail network runs throughout Cataw-ba County. Some of the planned Carolina Thread Trails will be co-located with the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, thus boosting both trail efforts.
Hickory is best known for furniture production. At one time, it is estimated that 60% of all furniture made in the USA was made within a 200-mile radius of Hickory. In addition to furniture, Hickory hosts several colleges and universities and a minor league baseball team.
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
6
Results
To determine the feasibility for specific planned segments of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, Division staff met with public officials, land conservancies, state agencies and private conservationists to evaluate local public support for the general concept of a public trail and the availability of trail volunteers; presence of viable section sponsors committed to the design, construction, maintenance and management of the trail; and a corridor that offers environmental and economic sustainability. The results of those meetings are summarized in the following tables.
Meeting participants indicated universal public support for the trail. Segment managers were identified for many of the proposed segments and efforts are continuing to recruit managers for the remaining segments. Support was also vocalized for connecting the trail to downtown areas of nearby towns, as well as the potential to co-locate the Wilderness Gateway trail with other planned and existing trails in the region.
As segment managers begin to plan the trail’s physical route and determine permitted trail users, care will need to be taken to identify a sustainable alignment for trail construction given the challenging topography of the region. However, this is entirely possible, especially with the services of professional trail builders and designers.
A paddle trail along parts of the Jacob and Henry Fork rivers will diversify the recreational opportunities along the Wilderness Gateway trail.
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
7
Wild
erne
ss G
atew
ay S
tate
Tra
il Pl
anni
ng C
orri
dor
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
8
Des
crip
tion
:Th
is s
egm
ent
of t
he t
rail
will
con
nect
Hic
kory
Nut
Gor
ge S
tate
Tra
il to
tra
il bu
ilt o
n pr
ivat
e co
nser
vatio
n la
nd in
McD
owel
l Cou
nty.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
The
prio
rity
for
thi
s se
gmen
t is
to
iden
tify
a se
gmen
t m
anag
er.
Onc
e th
at is
ac
com
plis
hed,
the
n la
nd w
ill h
ave
to b
e ac
quired
for
the
tra
il co
rrid
or.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: lo
ng-t
erm
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
Loca
l pla
nnin
g•
Larg
e la
ndho
ldin
gs
Fund
ing
Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rs•
Land
con
serv
ancy
sup
port
Land
acq
uisi
tion
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
Priv
ate
supp
ort
Publ
ic la
ndSta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
gM
ajor
roa
dway
cro
ssin
g•
Lack
of lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nCoo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
•Lo
ng-t
erm
man
agem
ent
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: 0
mile
s of
con
stru
cted
tra
il
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: T
he c
orrido
r w
ill g
ener
ally
fol
low
the
Bun
com
be C
ount
y lin
e in
ord
er t
o ta
ke a
dvan
tage
of la
rger
par
cels
of la
nd.
Thi
s al
ignm
ent
may
cha
nge
depe
ndin
g on
the
will
ingn
ess
of t
he a
rea
land
owne
rs t
o se
ll or
gra
nt p
erm
anen
t ea
sem
ents
on
thei
r pr
oper
ty for
the
tra
il.
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
6 m
iles
Sec
tion
sp
onso
rs:
TBD
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Rut
herf
ord
Out
door
Coa
litio
n, C
onse
rvin
g Car
olin
as L
and
Con
serv
ancy
, Fo
othi
lls C
onse
rvan
cy o
f N
C,
Rut
herf
ord
Cou
nty,
NC S
tate
Par
ks
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Iden
tify
segm
ent
man
ager
o Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
SEG
MEN
T 1
: H
icko
ry N
ut G
orge
Sta
te T
rail
to R
uthe
rfor
d Cou
nty
Line
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
9
Des
crip
tion
:Th
e tr
ail w
ill b
e co
ntai
ned
on p
riva
te c
onse
rvat
ion
land
tha
t w
ill b
e m
anag
ed b
y Fo
othi
lls
Land
Con
serv
ancy
.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
Land
is s
till b
eing
acq
uire
d in
thi
s se
ctio
n. At
the
req
uest
of Fo
othi
lls C
onse
rvan
cy o
f N
C a
nd t
he p
riva
te c
onse
rvat
or,
plan
ning
and
con
stru
ctio
n of
the
tra
il in
thi
s se
ctio
n w
ill
occu
r af
ter
all t
he la
nd is
acq
uire
d.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: m
id-t
erm
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
Loca
l pla
nnin
g•
Larg
e la
ndho
ldin
gs
Fund
ing
Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rs•
Land
con
serv
ancy
sup
port
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nFl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
s•
Priv
ate
supp
ort
Publ
ic la
ndSta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
gM
ajor
roa
dway
cro
ssin
gLa
ck o
f lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nCoo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
Long
-ter
m m
anag
emen
t
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
ils:
0 m
iles
of c
onst
ruct
ed t
rails
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: R
uthe
rfor
d/M
cDow
ell C
ount
y lin
e
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
13 m
iles
Sec
tion
sp
onso
r: F
ooth
ills
Con
serv
ancy
of N
C
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Rut
herf
ord
Cou
nty,
McD
owel
l Cou
nty,
NC S
tate
Par
ks
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
o D
esig
n su
stai
nabl
e tr
ail a
lignm
ent
o Acq
uire
per
man
ent
trai
l eas
emen
t
SEG
MEN
T 2
: Rut
herf
ord
Cou
nty
Line
to
US 2
21
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
10
Des
crip
tion
:Th
e tr
ail w
ill b
e lo
cate
d on
priva
te c
onse
rvat
ion
land
tha
t is
man
aged
by
Foot
hills
Con
serv
ancy
of
NC.
The
re is
a c
ompl
ete,
pro
tect
ed c
orrido
r be
twee
n U
S 2
21 a
nd
US 6
4.
A t
railh
ead
can
be lo
cate
d w
here
the
tra
il in
ters
ects
with
US64
.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
Trai
l con
stru
ctio
n ca
n st
art
once
a d
etai
led,
sus
tain
able
tra
il de
sign
is c
ompl
eted
.
Ther
e is
pot
entia
l and
sup
port
for
a c
onne
ctio
n to
the
Fon
ta F
lora
Sta
te T
rail
thro
ugh
the
Box
Cre
ek W
ilder
ness
. T
his
conn
ectio
n m
ight
als
o se
rve
to c
onne
ct
the
Ther
mal
belt
Rail
Trai
l (Rut
herf
ord
Cou
nty)
with
the
Pea
vine
Rai
l Tra
il (M
cDow
ell
Cou
nty)
, a
loca
l prior
ity.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: n
ear-
term
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
Loca
l pla
nnin
g•
Larg
e la
ndho
ldin
gs
Fund
ing
Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rs•
Land
con
serv
ancy
sup
port
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nFl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
s•
Priv
ate
supp
ort
Publ
ic la
ndSta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
Fund
ing
•M
ajor
roa
dway
cro
ssin
gLa
ck o
f lo
cal p
lann
ing
Land
acq
uisi
tion
Coo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
Long
-ter
m m
anag
emen
t
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: 0
mile
s co
nstr
ucte
d tr
ail
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: R
ough
ly p
aral
lels
the
Rut
herf
ord/
McD
owel
l Cou
nty
line
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
8 m
iles
Sec
tion
sp
onso
r: F
ooth
ills
Con
serv
ancy
of N
C
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
McD
owel
l Cou
nty,
Rut
herf
ord
Cou
nty,
Nat
iona
l Par
k Ser
vice
, N
C S
tate
Par
ks
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Dev
elop
a d
esig
n-bu
ild p
ropo
sal f
or s
usta
inab
le t
rail
cons
truc
tion
o Acq
uire
per
man
ent
trai
l eas
emen
t
SEG
MEN
T 3
: U
S 2
21 t
o U
S 6
4
Bob’
s C
reek
Poc
ket W
ilder
ness
Box
Cre
ek W
ilder
ness
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
11
Des
crip
tion
:Th
is s
egm
ent
will
con
nect
tra
il co
nstr
ucte
d on
priva
te c
onse
rvat
ion
land
with
Sou
th
Mou
ntai
ns S
tate
Par
k.
It w
ill b
e co
-loc
ated
with
the
Ove
rmou
ntai
n Vic
tory
Sta
te T
rail.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
This
seg
men
t of
tra
il w
ill b
e co
-loc
ated
with
the
Ove
rmou
ntai
n Vic
tory
Sta
te T
rail
until
it
ente
rs t
he s
tate
par
k. T
he t
rail
alig
nmen
t m
ust
be c
oord
inat
ed w
ith t
he N
atio
nal P
ark
Ser
vice
to
ensu
re t
hat
it oc
curs
with
in t
heir p
lann
ed c
orrido
r fo
r th
e O
verm
ount
ain
Vic
tory
Tra
il fo
otpa
th.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: m
idte
rm
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
•Lo
cal p
lann
ing
Larg
e la
ndho
ldin
gs
Fund
ing
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rsLa
nd c
onse
rvan
cy s
uppo
rt
Land
acq
uisi
tion
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
•Pr
ivat
e su
ppor
t
•Pu
blic
land
•Sta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
g•
Maj
or r
oadw
ay c
ross
ing
Lack
of lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nCoo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
Long
-ter
m m
anag
emen
t
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: 0
mile
s of
con
stru
cted
tra
il
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: C
o-lo
cate
with
Ove
rmou
ntai
n Vic
tory
Sta
te T
rail
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
4 m
iles
Sec
tion
sp
onso
r: B
urke
Cou
nty
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Nat
iona
l Par
k Ser
vice
, O
verm
ount
ain
Vic
tory
Tra
il Ass
ocia
tion,
Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark,
NC W
ildlif
e Re
sour
ces
(Sou
th M
ount
ains
Gam
elan
ds),
NC
Sta
te P
arks
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
o Coo
rdin
ate
with
Nat
iona
l Par
k Ser
vice
to
co-l
ocat
e w
ith O
verm
ount
ain
Vic
tory
Sta
te
Tra
ilo
Coo
rdin
ate
plan
ning
and
dev
elop
men
t w
ith B
urke
and
McD
owel
l Cou
ntie
so
Coo
rdin
ate
with
Wild
life
Reso
urce
s Com
mis
sion
(G
amel
ands
)o
Coo
rdin
ate
with
Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark
SEG
MEN
T 4
: U
S 6
4 to
Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
12
Des
crip
tion
:Th
is t
rail
segm
ent
will
con
nect
to
the
exis
ting
trai
l net
wor
k in
the
eas
tern
par
t of
the
par
k.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
Nor
th C
arol
ina
Sta
te P
arks
sho
uld
hire
a t
rail
desi
gner
to
desi
gn a
nd b
uild
thi
s se
gmen
t,
sinc
e th
e to
pogr
aphy
in t
he w
este
rn p
art
of t
he p
ark
is e
spec
ially
cha
lleng
ing.
Th
ere
is
an o
ppor
tuni
ty t
o ro
ute
the
trai
l ont
o th
e ga
me
land
s th
at a
re m
anag
ed b
y th
e W
ildlif
e Re
sour
ces
Com
mis
sion
.
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
Loca
l pla
nnin
gLa
rge
land
hold
ings
Fund
ing
Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rsLa
nd c
onse
rvan
cy s
uppo
rt
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nFl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
sPr
ivat
e su
ppor
t
Publ
ic la
nd•
Sta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
gM
ajor
roa
dway
cro
ssin
gLa
ck o
f lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nCoo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
Long
-ter
m m
anag
emen
t
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: S
outh
Mou
ntai
ns S
tate
Par
k ha
s ov
er 4
0 m
iles
of c
onst
ruct
ed t
rails
in
the
eas
tern
par
t of
the
par
k. T
he a
lignm
ent
of t
he n
ew t
rail
in t
he w
este
rn p
art
of t
he
park
will
det
erm
ine
whi
ch t
rails
will
be
co-l
ocat
ed w
ith t
he W
ilder
ness
Gat
eway
Sta
te T
rail.
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: T
he in
terim
rou
te w
ill b
e lo
cate
d on
WRC’s
gra
vel a
cces
s ro
ad.
Th
e pe
rman
ent
rout
e w
ill c
onne
ct t
he w
este
rn b
ound
ary
of t
he p
ark
with
the
exi
stin
g,
sust
aina
ble
trai
ls in
the
eas
tern
par
t.
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
12 m
iles
Sec
tion
sp
onso
rs:
NC S
tate
Par
ks,
NC W
ildlif
e Re
sour
ces
Com
mis
sion
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Nat
iona
l Par
k Ser
vice
, Fr
iend
s of
Sou
th M
tns
Sta
te P
ark,
Fo
othi
lls L
and
Con
serv
ancy
of N
C,
Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark,
NC W
ildlif
e Re
sour
ce
Com
mis
sion
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
if n
eede
d
SEG
MEN
T 5
: Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
13
SEG
MEN
T 6
: Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark
to C
amba
rus
Loop
, N
orth
Des
crip
tion
:Th
is s
egm
ent
will
con
nect
Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark
to V
alde
se a
nd t
he n
orth
end
of
the
Cam
baru
s Lo
op.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
Muc
h of
thi
s se
gmen
t w
ill b
e de
pend
ent
on la
nd a
cqui
sitio
n. O
ne o
f th
e m
ajor
obs
tacl
es
of t
his
segm
ent—
cros
sing
I-4
0 ne
ar V
alde
se—
has
been
res
olve
d w
ith t
he N
CD
OT’
s w
illin
gnes
s to
incl
ude
bike
/ped
estr
ian
acce
ss a
t Ex
it 11
1 w
hen
the
over
pass
is r
epla
ced.
Lo
catin
g th
e se
gmen
t so
uth
of I
-40,
with
a c
onne
ctio
n to
Val
dese
, ta
kes
adva
ntag
e of
la
rger
tra
cts
of u
ndev
elop
ed la
nd.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: L
ong
term
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
•Lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
rge
land
hold
ings
Fund
ing
Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rs•
Land
con
serv
ancy
sup
port
Land
acq
uisi
tion
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
Priv
ate
supp
ort
Publ
ic la
nd•
Sta
ff r
esou
rces
•Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
g•
Maj
or r
oadw
ay c
ross
ing
Lack
of lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
n•
Coo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
•Lo
ng-t
erm
man
agem
ent
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: 0
mile
s of
con
stru
cted
tra
il
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: T
he r
oute
will
be
prim
arily
sou
th o
f I-
40,
othe
r th
an t
he c
onne
ctio
ns
with
Val
dese
, to
tak
e ad
vant
age
of t
he le
ss u
rban
ized
land
scap
e an
d th
e pa
rtne
rshi
p w
ith
Foot
hills
Con
serv
ancy
of
NC.
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
21 m
iles
Pot
enti
al s
egm
ent
spon
sors
: TB
D
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Frien
ds o
f Va
ldes
e Pa
rks,
Foo
thill
s Con
serv
ancy
of N
C,
Tow
n of
Va
ldes
e, B
urke
Cou
nty,
Cat
awba
Cou
nty,
NC S
tate
Par
ks
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Iden
tify
segm
ent
spon
sor
o Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
Vald
ese
Exit
111
“Cambarus Loop”
see Segment 9
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
14
SEG
MEN
T 7
: Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark
to C
amba
rus
Loop
, Sou
th
Des
crip
tion
:Th
is s
egm
ent
will
con
nect
Sou
th M
ount
ains
Sta
te P
ark
to t
he s
outh
end
of Cam
baru
s Lo
op v
ia t
he J
acob
For
k.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
Muc
h of
thi
s se
gmen
t w
ill b
e de
pend
ent
on la
nd a
cqui
sitio
n.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: L
ong
term
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
Loca
l pla
nnin
gLa
rge
land
hold
ings
Fund
ing
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rs•
Land
con
serv
ancy
sup
port
Land
acq
uisi
tion
•Fl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
sPr
ivat
e su
ppor
t
Publ
ic la
ndSta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
gM
ajor
roa
dway
cro
ssin
gLa
ck o
f lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
n•
Coo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
•Fl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
s
Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
•Lo
ng-t
erm
man
agem
ent
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: 0
mile
s of
con
stru
cted
tra
il
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: T
his
rout
e w
ill fol
low
the
Jac
ob F
ork
rive
r ea
st fro
m S
outh
Mou
ntai
ns
Sta
te p
ark,
fol
low
ing
the
ripa
rian
buff
er.
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
22 m
iles
Pot
enti
al s
egm
ent
spon
sors
: TB
D
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Frien
ds o
f Va
ldes
e Pa
rks,
Foo
thill
s Con
serv
ancy
of N
C,
Bur
ke
Cou
nty,
Cat
awba
Cou
nty,
NC S
tate
Par
ks
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Iden
tify
segm
ent
spon
sor
o Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
“Cambarus Loop”
see Segment 9
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
15
SEG
MEN
T 8
: Cam
baru
s Lo
op B
luew
ay
Des
crip
tion
:Th
is s
egm
ent
of t
he t
rail
will
be
a bl
uew
ay,
whi
ch is
a p
addl
e tr
ail,
alon
g th
e Ja
cob
Fork
, H
enry
For
k an
d Sou
th F
ork
Cat
awba
Riv
ers.
It
is n
amed
for
an
ende
mic
cra
yfish
spe
cies
re
cent
ly d
isco
vere
d in
the
are
a. A
cces
s po
ints
are
cur
rent
ly a
vaila
ble
at J
acob
For
k Pa
rk
and
Hen
ry F
ork
Riv
er P
ark.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
Dev
elop
ing
a bl
uew
ay e
ncom
pass
es a
cqui
ring
and
dev
elop
ing
padd
le a
cces
s si
tes
alon
g th
e w
ater
way
s.
Park
ing,
res
troo
ms,
acc
ess
to t
he r
iver
and
sig
nage
are
all
requ
ired
.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: n
ear-
term
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
Loca
l pla
nnin
gLa
rge
land
hold
ings
Fund
ing
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rs•
Land
con
serv
ancy
sup
port
Land
acq
uisi
tion
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
•Pr
ivat
e su
ppor
t
•Pu
blic
land
•Sta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
gM
ajor
roa
dway
cro
ssin
gLa
ck o
f lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nCoo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
•Fl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
s
Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
Nee
ds d
etai
led
alig
nmen
t•
Topo
grap
hyLo
ng-t
erm
man
agem
ent
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: 0
mile
s of
con
stru
cted
tra
il
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: T
he C
amba
rus
Loop
Blu
eway
will
fol
low
the
Hen
ry F
ork
and
Jaco
b Fo
rk a
nd c
ontin
ue p
ast
the
confl
uenc
e on
Sou
th F
ork
Cat
awba
Riv
er.
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
34 m
iles
in t
otal
(Ja
cob
Fork
-13,
Hen
ry F
ork-
14,
Sou
th
Fork
-7)
Seg
men
t sp
onso
rs:
NC S
tate
Par
ks,
Tow
n of
New
ton
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Foo
thill
s Con
serv
ancy
of N
C,
Hic
kory
, Cat
awba
Cou
nty,
Tow
n of
New
ton,
NC S
tate
Par
ks
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
o Pa
ddle
acc
ess
deve
lopm
ent—
rive
r ac
cess
, pa
rkin
g an
d re
stro
oms
Jaco
b Fo
rk
Park
Hen
ry F
ork
Riv
er P
ark
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
16
SEG
MEN
T 9
: Cam
baru
s Lo
op
Des
crip
tion
:Th
is s
egm
ent
of t
he t
rail
will
inco
rpor
ates
Bak
ers
Mou
ntai
n Pa
rk,
a de
stin
atio
n of
inte
rest
fo
r Cat
awba
Cou
nty,
and
cre
ates
a lo
op a
long
the
ban
ks o
f H
enry
’s F
ork
and
Jaco
b’s
Fork
. Th
e Cam
baru
s lo
op is
nam
ed for
an
ende
mic
cra
yfish
spe
cies
rec
ently
dis
cove
red
in
the
area
.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
As
land
is a
cqui
red,
the
tra
il w
ill b
e de
velo
ped.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: L
ong
term
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
Loca
l pla
nnin
gLa
rge
land
hold
ings
Fund
ing
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rs•
Land
con
serv
ancy
sup
port
Land
acq
uisi
tion
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
Priv
ate
supp
ort
•Pu
blic
land
Sta
ff r
esou
rces
Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
g•
Maj
or r
oadw
ay c
ross
ing
Lack
of lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
nCoo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
•Fl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
s
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
Urb
aniz
ed c
orrido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
•N
eeds
det
aile
d al
ignm
ent
•To
pogr
aphy
•Lo
ng-t
erm
man
agem
ent
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
ils:
0 m
iles
of c
onst
ruct
ed t
rails
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: F
ollo
ws
the
east
ern
segm
ents
of th
e Ja
cob
and
Hen
ry F
orks
to
thei
r co
nflue
nce
at J
acob
For
k Pa
rk.
It w
ill c
onne
ct t
hese
seg
men
ts v
ia B
aker
s M
ount
ain
Park
.
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
21 m
iles
Pot
enti
al s
ecti
on s
pon
sors
: TB
D
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Foo
thill
s Con
serv
ancy
of N
C,
Cat
awba
Cou
nty,
NC S
tate
Par
ks,
Hic
kory
, N
ewto
n
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Iden
tify
segm
ent
spon
sor
o Acq
uire
land
fro
m w
illin
g se
llers
Jaco
b Fo
rk
Park
Hen
ry F
ork
Riv
er P
ark
Bake
rs
Mou
ntai
n Pa
rk
NC D
ivis
ion
of P
arks
and
Rec
reat
ion
D
ecem
ber,
2019
WIL
DE
RN
ES
S G
AT
EW
AY
S
TAT
E T
RA
IL S
TU
DY
17
SEG
MEN
T 1
0:
Cat
awba
Cou
nty
Loop
Des
crip
tion
:Th
e lo
op t
hrou
gh C
ataw
ba C
ount
y w
ill b
e co
-loc
ated
with
par
t of
the
ir C
arol
ina
Thre
ad
Trai
l net
wor
k.
Pla
nn
ing
Str
ateg
ies:
Inco
rpor
ate
the
plan
ned
Car
olin
a Th
read
Tra
il ro
ute
and
gree
nway
pla
ns o
f H
icko
ry a
nd
New
ton.
Pro
ject
ed T
imef
ram
e: L
ong
term
Op
por
tun
itie
s:
•Pu
blic
sup
port
•Lo
cal p
lann
ing
Larg
e la
ndho
ldin
gs
Fund
ing
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
orrido
rsLa
nd c
onse
rvan
cy s
uppo
rt
Land
acq
uisi
tion
•Fl
oodp
lain
/wet
land
sPr
ivat
e su
ppor
t
•Pu
blic
land
•Sta
ff r
esou
rces
•Sid
ewal
k/bi
cycl
e ne
twor
k
Ch
alle
ng
es:
•Fu
ndin
g•
Maj
or r
oadw
ay c
ross
ing
Lack
of lo
cal p
lann
ing
•La
nd a
cqui
sitio
n•
Coo
rdin
atin
g ea
sem
ents
Floo
dpla
in/w
etla
nds
•Str
eam
/riv
er c
ross
ings
•U
rban
ized
cor
rido
rLo
cal o
ppos
ition
Nee
ds d
etai
led
alig
nmen
tTo
pogr
aphy
Long
-ter
m m
anag
emen
t
Seg
men
t D
etai
ls:
Con
stru
cted
tra
il: 1
0.02
mile
s
Rou
te a
lign
men
t: T
he r
oute
will
be
co-l
ocat
ed w
ith t
he C
arol
ina
Thre
ad T
rail
syst
em
that
is p
lann
ed in
Hic
kory
and
Con
over
.
Ap
pro
xim
ate
pla
nn
ed le
ng
th:
29 m
iles
Pot
enti
al s
ecti
on s
pon
sors
: TB
D
Pla
nn
ing
sta
keh
old
ers:
Car
olin
a Th
read
Tra
il, C
ataw
ba C
ount
y, H
icko
ry,
New
ton,
NC
Sta
te P
arks
, Fo
othi
lls C
onse
rvan
cy o
f N
C
Nex
t S
tep
s:o
Iden
tify
segm
ent
spon
sor
o Acq
uire
land
/eas
emen
ts f
rom
will
ing
selle
rso
Coo
rdin
ate
activ
ities
with
Cat
awba
Cou
nty,
Hic
kory
, an
d Car
olin
a Th
read
Tra
il
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
18
CONCLUSIONS
The development of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail will provide an unparalleled regional recreational resource. Evaluation of the proposed corridor shows that:
1. Provides significant natural, cultural, scenic and recreational value.
• Numerous plant and animal species, including those of special concern, will benefit from the preserved trail corridor.
• The corridor intersects with locations that are integral to North Carolina history including Native American settlements, Spanish exploration, Revolutionary War battles, music, moonshine, textiles and furniture.
• Breath-taking vistas and opportunities to walk through a variety of North Carolina ecosystems.
• Multi-day hiking and camping trips.
2. Enough length and beauty to attract varied and significant use from regions outside the local area.
• The planning corridor for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail is approximately 150 miles long. As the trail is constructed, that distance will increase as a result of accommodating topography and other factors.
• As the Wilderness Gateway State Trail is developed with options for camping, it will attract users from far outside the region.
3. Minimal and surmountable incompatible features such as roads, intrusive development or large water bodies.
• The primary barrier for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail proved to be I-40, which could prevent connecting the trail to Valdese and Hickory. However, Hickory already has a pedestrian connection across the interstate and NCDOT is partnering to provide a pedestrian connection when the overpass at Valdese (Exit 111) is replaced.
4. Local public support for the general concept of a public trail and the availability of trail volunteers.
• Without exception, every stakeholder that we met with was enthusiastic about the potential of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail.
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
19
5. There are viable section sponsors committed to the design, construction, maintenance and management of the trail. • Most of the segments already have segment sponsors who have committed to the design, construction and maintenance of that portion of the trail.
• State Parks is continuing to identify segment sponsors for the remaining portions.
6. The trail alignment can be sustainable.
• There are sustainable design parameters which must be observed in order to prevent erosion, trail and environmental degradation or unsafe conditions.
• Each segment sponsor should seek the services of a professional trail builder, who has been trained in sustainable trail design. There are a number of trail builders in the planning area for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. • Trail design will be dependent on the proposed usergroup as determined by the segment sponsor.
• NC State Parks has a trails program which can provide technical assistance to the segment sponsors as they finalize their trail alignments to ensure that the planned alignment and construction techniques will be sustainable.
NEXT STEPSAlthough this study has established that it is feasible for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail to connect natural areas, trails and communities within Catawba, Burke, McDowell and Rutherford Counties, there are further actions that must be taken in order to make this trail a reality.
Planning:
• Public review of trail corridor: A general trail corridor was planned through the process of developing this feasibility study. The corridor should be presented to the public. Comments will be collected and given to the appropriate segment sponsors to inform their planning efforts. ◊ The Division will hold public meetings in McDowell/Rutherford County, Burke County and Catawba County. These meetings will present the concept of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail, answer questions posed by the public, and collect comments and suggestions about the trail. We will also collect comments on our website for people unable to attend any of the scheduled meetings.
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
20
• Sustainable design and construction toolbox: The Division will assemble a “toolbox” of sustainable trail design techniques to be included in the Wilderness Gateway State Trail Plan to be shared with all potential segment sponsors.
• Branding: The Division will develop a branding package for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. This will include logos, blaze design and placement, and best practices for trail signage. This information will also be included in the Wilderness Gateway State Trail Plan.
Funding:
• Additional funding to supplement federal funding would facilitate and expedite completion of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail. The NC Trails Program recieved more than twice as many applications for trail and greenway funding as Recreational Trails Program grants were able to fund. • Land Acquisition: Ongoing funding will be needed to acquire land, from willing sellers, throughout the trail corridor.
• Trail Construction: Once the land is acquired, the segment sponsors will need funding to design and construct the trail to sustainable criteria for their trail users. • Ongoing maintenance and management of the trail is critical to its success.
• Funding for blueway infrastructure is needed to design and construct river access, parking lots and restroom facilities.
Designation of Completed Segments:
A State Trail as authorized by the NC General Assembly is very broad in definition and scope. To officially be recognized as a part of the State Trail, constructed trail within the planned corridor must be designated by the Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Section sponsors may apply for designation once a trail segment is completed. Criteria for designation include public access, developing an emergency management plan, outlining facilities provided to the public and inspection by a regional trails specialist. Once a trail has been designated it can then display a state trails sign and blazing.
NC Division of Parks and Recreation December, 2019
WILDERNESS GATEWAY STATE TRAIL STUDY
21
Finally, numerous national studies have shown the positive economic impact regional trails have on the communities with which they connect. North Carolina State Parks should partner with local universities and the Department of Commerce to measure the economic impact of the Wilderness Gateway State Trail to the region and state.
Typical signage of a North Carolina state trail.