EXHIBIT 20: US HWY 64 TRAILHEAD

The planned Wilderness Gateway State Trail (WGST) stretches approximately 170 miles and will connect Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Catawba Counties. Within McDowell County the trail connects privately conserved lands between the northwest corner of Rutherford County and South Mountains Game Lands and State Park. Approximately 35 miles of the trail is proposed in McDowell County.

B.2.1 Partnerships and Planning

The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC) continues to work with a private conservationist to secure a land corridor for the length of the trail within McDowell County. Approximately 17,335 acres have currently been conserved. The US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) plans to include these lands in the Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge Box Creek Conservation Partnership Area. While a high level plan for the WGST was completed by the NC Division of Parks and Recreation, additional planning focused on McDowell County would be beneficial.

ACTION ITEMS: • Participate in planning and development of a

Wilderness Gateway State Trail master plan that focuses on a conceptual trail alignment and parcel acquisition within the County. • Participate in planning and development of branding, signage, wayfinding, and trail support facility plans to unify planned trailheads.

B.2.2 Trailheads

The FCNC is also working on trailhead development and trail implementation. MCTDA trailhead development efforts should focus on areas where state trails and connectors coalign to leverage funding and maximize benefits. Current planning efforts propose trailheads where the trail crosses US Highway 64, US Highway 221, Brackett Town, and Rhom Town Roads.

ACTION ITEMS: • Develop and implement trailheads and support facilities at locations where the WGST intersects with the OVNHT near US Hwy 64 and the Peavine

Connector Trail near US Hwy 221.

B.2.3 Trail Implementation

Approximately 35 miles of planned WGST is located within McDowell County, and 30 miles has been designed and laid out to connect US Hwy 221 and US Hwy 64. Once funding is secured, Foothills Conservancy plans to contract construction of that segment of trail. East of US Hwy 64 the WGST is co-aligned with the OVNHT as it proceeds north towards Burke County.

ACTION ITEMS: • Support implementation of the co-aligned WGST and OVNHT from US Hwy 64 to the north and east as outlined in the OVNHT: Morganton to

Rutherfordton Master Plan. • Work with partners to acquire easements/land from willing landowners, design, and construct a sustainable trail alignment within the planned and secured corridor.

US HWY 64 TRAILHEAD EXH 20

wilderness gateway state trail state trail

24 typical parking spots 2 ada parking spots 2 ada parking spots RESTROOM AND KIOSK

mowed grass loop through meadow through meadow kelly branch

entry sign cane creek

us-64

wilderness gateway state trail state trail

overmountain victory trail overmountain victory trail

floodplain

1 =60' The Wilderness Gateway State Trail co-aligns with the Overmountain Victory National Historic and State Trail in the southeast corner of McDowell County as it crosses US Hwy 64 and heads north. The US Hwy 64 trailhead will serve both the WGST and OVNHT. Key features at the trailhead include parking for 24 typical vehicles, 2 ADA parking spaces, entry sign, kiosk, bathroom, and short nature trail. Trailhead development will require approval by the USFWS.