The need:
Avery Creek is classified as a Wild Trout stream and is a critical spawning area for brown and rainbow trout. It drains into the Davidson River, a premier river of the Pisgah Ranger District considered to be one of the best trout streams in the state.
The Davidson River is also home to a significant hellbender population. The hellbender, North America’s largest salamander, is limited in range and is a NC species of special concern.
Project stages:
In Summer 2025, our Trail Crew constructed a new 35-foot trail bridge spanning Avery Creek near its junction with Buckhorn Gap trail. The crew also constructed ramped approaches and turnpikes on each side of the river connecting the new trail bridge with Buckhorn Gap trail on the east side of the creek.
Next, they decommissioned a 470-foot section of unsustainable trail from the site of the new trail bridge to Avery Creek’s current second intersection with Buckhorn Gap trail. This section of trail was responsible for adverse impacts to Avery Creek. Sections of this trail were currently located within the course of the creek itself and other areas were contributing to significant stream bank impacts.
Lastly, our Ecological Restoration crew completed streambank stabilization work on impacted stream banks and riparian areas along the decommissioned section of the trail.
This project has provided many benefits for Pisgah and its visitors, including:
- Improved watershed health
- Increased trail system connectivity, access, and resiliency
- The completion of work that will be complementary to broader trail and resource improvement actions that are planned in the area
- Addressing deferred maintenance
