Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy

History. Art. And the Great Outdoors.

bartram trail

May 26, 2023: Walking With Bartram – New Route to Lazy Hiker

Please join us as we continue our monthly section hikes through the Bartram Trail. We’ll have an abbreviated hike in terms of mileage and elevation as we walk the portion of the road-walk that has been recently re-routed through the Macon County Recreation Park onto the Little Tennessee Greenway and then further down Main Street through the Town of Franklin. Our destination will be the Lazy Hiker, where we’ll enjoy some cold beverages and discussion.

Right now, we’ll plan to meet at the First United Methodist Church parking lot and shuttle back to the Macon County Recreation Park to start the hike. We’ll still plan for a full day, but will likely wrap this up a little earlier than usual.

Newcomers are welcome to join us. All you need to bring is water, lunch, clothing appropriate for this season, and your sense of humor and wonder.

We have had great interest in these hikes and are working to create new hiking opportunities. If you are interested in leading a hike, let us know!

Please RSVP below to help with planning.

May 30, 2023: Trailhead Tuesday

This is a program for those looking to get involved but with limited time. We will meet in the early afternoon to divide and conquer some minor clean up and trail head maintenance. We’re looking for folks to visit a set of selected trail heads to re-stock Bartram Trail information cards, complete a trail head condition report, pick up any trash in the area, and chat with hikers as they start their day hike.

We’ll supply everything you need for the day. Although we suggest you bring your own gloves, a hat, sunscreen, and a positive attitude.

We’ll meet at 1pm in the church parking lot across from Lazy Hiker Brewing in Franklin, NC. At 3pm, we’ll regroup to share our accomplishments over a cold beverage.

Please RSVP to help with planning for this event:

May 21, 2023: The History of Franklinia Alatamaha at Winding Stair Nursery

Brent Martin of the Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy and co-owner of Alarka Expeditions will present The History of Franklinia Alatamaha or Franklin tree, so named after Benjamin Franklin. This event will be held at Winding Stair Nursery in Franklin, NC on Sunday, May 21st. The event starts at 2pm and is free to the public.

William Bartram collected the species in the 1770s and propagated it at Bartram’s Garden in Philadelphia. The rare species was extinct in the wild by the early 1800s due to cotton farming and the subsequent introduction of the waterborne disease, phytophthora. The species will no longer grow in its natural habitat but does very well here in southern Appalachia.

Martin will talk about his own success in propagating Franklinia, and there will be specimens available for purchase at the nursery. He will also discuss the other two rare members of the Theaceae family in North America, Stewartia ovata (our native Mountain Camellia) and Stewartia malacodendron (Silky Camellia, found on the coastal plain) and how to also grow them in our southern mountains.

Attendance is free, but please head over to the Winding Stair Farm and Nursery website to register to help with planning for this event: http://windingstairfarm.com/nursery/events/franklintree/

May 19, 2023: Third Friday Workday

This week, we’ll meet at Russell Bridge Trailhead to get started. We don’t get to the beginning of the Bartram Trail as often as we should, but it is in need of a little attention. Plan to meet at the Russell Bridge parking area at 9 am. Depending on the number of folks we have, we will figure out how to divide and conquer.

Please bring work gloves, good boots, plenty of water, lunch, any meds you might need and esprit de corps.

If you’re new to trail maintenance or just want to learn more, you can find more information here on our site. Don’t be shy, we’ll provide everything you need to enjoy your day while making a huge impact for future enjoyment of the Bartram Trail. The hard work of our volunteers is what keeps the 110 miles of trails open and usable all year long.

Please RSVP so we can plan the work and tool requirements.

Thank you for your volunteerism!

Explore more

Donate Volunteer Get Trail Maps