Smith Cliff Walk

Hike to Smith Cliff with NC Natural Heritage Program Biologist Jess Schaner. Smith Cliff is a 300-foot tall, steep exposure of coarse sillimanite-bearing mica schists and pegmatites on the outside bend of a prominent ingrown meander in the Henry Fork River. The cliffs are an example of a Piedmont Acidic Cliff, and home to many rare plants and animals. The site is one of the top 5 biodiversity hotspots in the South Mountains and is protected by the Foothills Conservancy. We will see what’s blooming, talk about the rare plants and natural communities
of the site and the work of the NC Natural Heritage Program.

There is ample parking, on a gravel shoulder in front of a substation and in front of Foothills Gate. The parking area is at 35°39’39.7″N 81°36’38.9″W, on the south side of River Road and just east of Old NC 18.