Wolf Pit Road closure is not a done deal

For generations, Wolf Pit Road has provided the easiest access to one of the most popular hiking trails in Burke County — the footpath to the summit of the iconic peak Shortoff.

Recently, however, questions have been raised as to whether the road will remain open due to concerns from property owners who live along it.

A hand-lettered sign was recently posted by the side of the road proclaiming that it will be closed to the public effective June 1.

The U.S. Forest Service says that closure is not a certainty.

The Wolf Pit Road is off N.C. 126 west of the Linville Access Area on Lake James and runs for 2.5 miles to the National Forest parking area and trailhead for the Shortoff Mountain Trail.

According to the Forest Service, the first part of the road is on land owned by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

A second section runs through private property with more than 50 different people owning undeveloped tracts and homes along the route.

Finally, the last section of the road, the parking area, and the trailhead are on United States Forest Service property.

Contacted at his Nebo office, Greg Philipp, acting District Ranger for the Grandfather District of the Forest Service, said the organization is currently “researching property deeds, property easements, and the historic use of the road.”

“We have Land Use Specialists who are working on this, and we will be speaking with the property owners along the road when we have potential paths forward,” Philipp said. “The information they gather will be reviewed by the Office of General Counsel which will help determine the course of action."

The Paper will continue to follow this story as it develops.

Rock Creek Trail

Despite rumors among the hiking community to the contrary, the Rock Creek Trail in the South Mountains, established by the Foothills Nature Conservancy, is not going to be closed.

The trail, which is not in South Mountains State Park, is on Old Hwy. 18, between Sugarloaf Road and Wards Gap Road.

The trail climbs from the roadway to a peak with a bench which overlooks the mountain ranges of the adjacent park. Trouble is, there is virtually no place to safely park to access the trail.

“We are currently working with the N.C. Department of Transportation to receive the necessary permits to construct a small parking lot,” said Shane Prisby, trails program director for Foothills.

“We don’t foresee any problems because we have the proper sight lines,” Prisby added. “We will get it done as soon as we can.”

Bill Poteat, who has hiked nearly every trail in Burke County, is editor emeritus of The Paper. He may be reached at 828-445-8595 or via email at bill@thepaper.media.