SEGMENT 3

Wilderness Gateway State Trail Segment 3 – Highway 221 Corridor

Planning Section 6

Planning Section 7 Planning Section 5

Planning Section 4

Planning Section 1

Planning Section 3 Planning Section 2

Vicinity Map

The NC Division of Parks and Recreation created a conceptual trail alignment for the Wilderness Gateway State Trail from US Hwy 221 to US Hwy 64. Using this map as a guide, the Foothills Conservancy contracted with a professional trail builder to design and layout the trail.

PROJECT B.3 OVERMOUNTAIN VICTORY NATIONAL HISTORIC AND STATE TRAIL

The Overmountain Victory National Historic and State Trail (OVNHT) stretches 330 miles through Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The trail primarily leads north and south along two routes in the northeastern half of McDowell County as it heads towards Lake James. A short section of the trail is also located in the southeastern corner of the County along US Hwy 64 as it travels from Morganton to Rutherfordton. There are approximately 26 planned miles of the trail within the County.

B.3.1 Partnerships and Planning

The primary partners in the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail effort include the National Park Service, Overmountain Victory Trail Association, Conservation Trust for North Carolina, and the McDowell Trails Association. Additional partners should be considered as the OVNHT: Spruce Pine to Lake James Master Plan and OVNHT: Morganton to Rutherfordton Master Plan are implemented.

ACTION ITEMS: • Support implementation of the OVNHT: Spruce

Pine to Lake James Master Plan and OVNHT:

Morganton to Rutherfordton Master Plan.

B.3.2 Trailheads

In order to leverage funding and maximize benefits, trailhead development efforts should focus on areas that will have the most impact to the local community or where state trails and connectors coalign. Current planning efforts propose improving existing trailheads at Lynn and Gillespie Gaps near the community of Little Switzerland (see Exhibit 69: Lynn Gap Trailhead, page 134 and Exhibit 70: Minerals Museum Trailhead, page 135). New trailheads are proposed at the Black Bear Boating Access Area and on US Hwy 64 (see Exhibit 19: Black Bear Trailhead, page 67 and Exhibit 20: US Hwy 64 Trailhead, page 68).

ACTION ITEMS: • Develop and implement trailheads within the Little Switzerland community as outlined in the Main Street

Communities tourism area recommendations. • Support Duke Energy’s current recreational development plan for a trailhead serving both the FFST and

OVNHT at Black Bear Boating Access Area. • Develop and implement the trailhead and support facilities where the WGST intersects with the OVNHT near

US Hwy 64.