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Early this fall, I walked a well-loved trail at Hiwassee Lake, the one that starts at the boat ramp in Hanging Dog Recreation Area, formerly well maintained by the U.S. Forest Service. Deep in the woods, this trail parallels the main road, down to where the camping and picnic loops used to be.
Even with downed trees to climb over, fallen limbs to duck under, and slowed down to twice the hiking time it used to take me, this trail is still beautiful and well worth the trouble. Laurel, rhododendron, water oaks and a grand mix of pine and hardwood set the scene. Wildflowers and common underbrush fill the forest floor, where gentle slopes and deep ravines take your breath away.
We are blessed with amazing beauty in our local area, and we know it. One thing a huge variety of local residents, native or new, have in common is a love of our natural lands. Whatever our politics, we hold our land dear, especially the wild places for picnics, camping, hiking, hunting, fishing and simply being.
Our Hiwassee Lake is around 14 miles long, and one of the deepest of the TVA lakes, to my knowledge. I’ve heard that when it was dug out, it was deemed unsuitable for private or commercial building.
Currently, our county commissioners have requested permission to sell some of our Nantahala Forest land, including lakeside in Hanging Dog Recreation area, for private and commercial use.
Whatever our views on this issue, let’s keep well informed. The time is now, to make our personal views known.
Mary Ricketson makes her home in Cherokee County. She is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in private practice in Murphy. She has a special interest in women’s issues.