Fall Hiking Series: Holmes Educational State Forest

Where: Holmes Educational State Forest

Meet: Ironwood Square, Conserving Carolina’s office, 847 Case Street, Hendersonville, NC, at 8:30 a.m.

Distance and difficulty: 3.9  miles, moderate/strenuous; trail type – lollipop

Elevation gain: 767′

Approximately 20 minute drive

Hikers will follow the Short Cut trail starting in the valley of Crab Creek. After following the Short Cut trail for a short distance the group will take the Forest Demonstration trail with opportunities to enjoy the beautiful forest, a small pond, and views of the surrounding area. The trail ascends approximately 767′ before descending back down the mountain, making a loop in the 235 acre Forest.

[Except from their website] Holmes Educational State Forest has been providing the citizens of North Carolina a living outdoor classroom where visitors of all ages can learn about the local natural forest environment since 1977. The forest, which started out as a nursery developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, has now become one of seven educational state forests located throughout the state. The land along Crab Creek Road was obtained by the state in the mid-1930’s to provide North Carolina landowners White pine and Yellow poplar seedlings. By the late 1960’s the state moved the nursery to Avery County and developed Holmes has a small state forest. Since then, the forest has grown into a diverse woodscape that includes many other plant species from herbs on the forest floor to towering forest trees.

*Space is limited and pre-registration is required, and space is limited to 20 participants. Registration, by RSVP below, opens at 9:00 am Friday, October 31, 2025.  

Contact pam@conservingcarolina.org with additional questions.

Conserving Carolina is sponsoring a Friday hiking series this fall that is free, guided, and open to the public. The hikes will meet at Ironwood Plaza (Conserving Carolina’s office) and will leave promptly at 8:45 a.m., unless otherwise specified. Hikers should plan to return to the area in the late afternoon, time varying with group size, distance of hike, and drive time. Car-pooling will be organized at the meeting location. If you’re coming from an area closer to the trailhead, please contact Pam Torlina (email above) to make other meeting arrangements.

Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water for yourself.

In case of inclement weather, please contact Pam Torlina by email at: pam@conservingcarolina.org by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the hike and/or check the Conserving Carolina website ‘calendar’ and/or Facebook page to see if the hike will take place. Please also remember to bring any medication that you may need in the event of an emergency (ie: epinephrine, nitroglycerine, insulin, etc.). Hike leaders will carry a first aid kit; however, it may not contain specific medication for your individual needs.

Before each hike, you will be asked to sign a waiver form. For your safety, do not attempt any hike beyond your ability and experience. This schedule is subject to change.