Photo courtesy of Greg Rosenke via Unsplash.
In honor of National Trails Day on June 1, the North Carolina Zoo is inviting visitors to explore the beautiful Ridge’s Mountain.
Locals are invited to head to the trailhead (located in Asheboro at 504 Summit Court), where zoo staff will be sharing information about the mountain’s history and the surrounding landscape from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can then explore the area on your own, or with friends, family, and the surrounding wildlife.
Ridge’s Mountain Nature Preserve, managed by the North Carolina Zoo, was established in 2000 through a partnership with the Piedmont Land Conservancy. The entire mountain, now permanently protected as a State Nature Preserve, is located in the Uwharrie Mountains, about 10 miles west of Asheboro.
Rising to an elevation of 840 feet, Ridge’s Mountain serves as an important site for wildlife conservation due to its high-quality natural communities and an extensive, unfragmented area that offers excellent habitat for a variety of plants and animals including bobcats, deer, box turtles, and various bird species.
The North Carolina Zoo is expanding opportunities for environmental education and outdoor recreation by adding to Ridge’s Mountain Nature Preserve, which includes extending hiking trails and offering guided hikes. According to AllTrails, the existing 1.6-mile hiking trail takes you to the summit with an elevation gain of 141 feet, showcasing massive boulders and unique rock formations along the way.
No dogs are allowed on the trail. Usually, you would need permission from the zoo to hike here, but on June 1, everyone is welcome!
About the North Carolina Zoo and the DNCR
The North Carolina Zoo, the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, is home to over 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to explore nature’s diversity. This year marks the Zoo’s 50th anniversary. For more information about the Zoo and its mission, visit NCZoo.org.
The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the state’s diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
Read More About This
Read More North Carolina News
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
This story was generated in part by AI and edited by Cardinal & Pine staff.
Author
North Carolina’s 9 most magical winter festivals
Nights are brighter and filled with cheer at these family-friendly winter festivals held across North Carolina. When winter’s chilly temperatures...
3 things happening in NC: Christmas comes early, Helene relief, and Black poetry
Every week, we curate three things happening in NC worth your attention. This week, Christmas comes early, a historic western NC airstrip recovers...
NC Angel Tree program supports kids in need for Christmas
By Eric Tegethoff A program is helping families in North Carolina who are struggling to experience the joy of Christmas. The Salvation...
NC Angel Tree program supports kids in need for Christmas
By Eric Tegethoff A program is helping families in North Carolina who are struggling to experience the joy of Christmas. The Salvation...
10 ways to embrace ‘hygge’ in NC this winter
Hygge is all about stopping to smell the roses, as the old saying goes. Read up on these 10 ways to make your winter life a touch softer and cozier....
