Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy

Home
United States
Franklin, NC
Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy, Nonprofit Organization, 51 Cowee School Drive, Franklin, NC.

The Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy is a 501c3 nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers and trail enthusiasts who maintain 112+ miles of the Bartram National Recreational Trail between Georgia and North Carolina.

05/31/2026

Happy National Forest Week!

Led by the National Forest Foundation, National Forest Week is a time to celebrate the forests that give us clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, solitude, and connection to place.

Here in western North Carolina, we’re especially grateful for the Nantahala National Forest, home to the Bartram Trail and some of the most beautiful, biodiverse landscapes in the Southern Appalachians.

Trails, watersheds, wildlife habitat, and public access all depend on stewardship, from land managers and conservation partners to the volunteers who clear blowdowns, maintain tread, refresh blazes, and help keep these places open and welcoming.

This week, we’ll be celebrating the Nantahala National Forest and the incredible natural heritage found along the Bartram Trail.
Take a hike. Thank a volunteer. Learn the plants. Notice the water. Leave it better than you found it.

05/26/2026

Beautiful rhododendron photos from Jones Gap, shared by one of our Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy members.

While many spring blooms have faded at lower elevations, rhododendrons are still flowering in the higher, cooler stretches of the trail.

William Bartram noticed plants like these with both scientific care and deep wonder. His drawing of Rhododendron punctatum captures the delicate structure and quiet beauty of a native Appalachian plant he admired.

Seeing rhododendrons blooming along the Bartram Trail today reminds us to slow down, look closely, and follow Bartram’s example as a true “flower seeker.”

Thank you steven bloom for sharing these lovely photos from the trail.

05/23/2026

Ever wondered who takes care of the trails you walk on?

Many people assume trails are maintained by paid crews, but much of the work that keeps them open, safe, and enjoyable is done by dedicated volunteers. From clearing blowdowns and brushing back overgrown corridors to refreshing blazes, improving drainage, and repairing tread, trail maintenance takes time, skill, and a lot of hard work.

The next time you’re out enjoying a hike on the Bartram Trail, take a moment to notice the work that makes each mile possible. And if you see a volunteer out on the trail, be sure to say thank you. Our trails are cared for by people who love them, and we are so grateful for every hand that helps keep them open for all.

05/21/2026

Congratulations to Ann Burchfield: a hardworking BRBTC volunteer, mother, and the newest female supported Fastest Known Time runner of the Bartram Trail!

Ann completed the full NC/GA Bartram Trail in 1 day, 19 hours, 42 minutes, and 51 seconds, traveling from Cheoah Bald to Russell Bridge. We are so proud of Ann for this incredible accomplishment and grateful for the strength, joy, and care she brings to the Bartram Trail community.

Congratulations, Ann!

You can read more about her FKT here: https://fastestknowntime.com/fkt/ann-burchfield-bartram-trail-nc-ga-2026-05-04

05/20/2026

Have you ever noticed the sign for the Puc Puggy Spur Trail at Osage and wondered what it means? This short trail carries a name with a wonderful connection to William Bartram himself.

The name was given to Bartram by Seminole Chief Ahaya, also known as "Cowkeeper". The name translates to “Flower Seeker” or “Flower Hunter,” a fitting title for someone who spent his life observing, collecting, drawing, and writing about plants.

You can explore a piece of that story on the Puc Puggy Loop, just off the Bartram Trail from Osage Overlook. The loop is around 1.5 miles, beginner-friendly, and reconnects with the Bartram after winding through the woods.

05/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us Friday at Wallace Branch for our Spotfin Art and Nature Gathering!

Led by Sydney Kale, a phenomenologist, writer, and artist who works with plants, we spent the evening slowing down, noticing the world around us, and getting creative along the trail. Through somatic walks, writing practices, nature journaling, and plenty of conversation, we explored new ways of connecting with plants and place.

We’re so grateful to Sydney for guiding such a meaningful and fun gathering, and to everyone who came out with curiosity and good spirits!

05/09/2026

Couldn't have asked for a better day to be on the trail (we always say that 😉).
Huge thanks to our incredible volunteers for all the hard work, good conversation, and laughs along the way!

05/08/2026

Amphibian week takes place each first week of May!

And here along the Bartram Trail, we are lucky as we are in one of the richest hotspots for salamander diversity in the world. Tucked beneath mossy logs, along seeps, and in the cool flow of creeks like that running through Wallace Branch, these quiet creatures are everywhere once you start to notice them. We’ve come across red salamanders, dusky salamanders, spring salamanders, and more just along this stretch of trail.

Amphibians are also among the most vulnerable. Habitat loss, disease, and climate change are all taking a toll. That’s part of why protecting places like the Bartram Trail matters so much.

Pictured:
1. Spring Salamander (Gyrinophilus porphyriticus)
2. Northern Dusky Salamander (Desmognathus fuscus)
3. Southern Gray Cheeked Salamdner (Plethodon metcalfi)
4. Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber)

05/06/2026

Chris Peterson just did something unreal on the Bartram Trail!

In late March, he set out to complete an out-and-back of the entire trail, aiming for 224 miles and finishing with 226 after a small detour. He came in at just over 87 hours, taking down the previous 105-hour mark. The run is still being verified, but there’s no question this was something special.

His piece, “There and Back Again: A Bartram Tale,” gives a glimpse into what those miles looked like, long stretches of solitude, moving through day and night, and the kind of mental and physical effort that’s hard to put into words.

We’re grateful to have had a front row seat to it. Chris, what an effort!

Give his story a read on substackk!
https://farmlosophy.substack.com/p/there-and-back-again-a-bartram-tale-35c

05/05/2026

Got Mother's Day plans?

Join us for a special Mother’s Day outing as our wildflower expert, Faith Williams, guides a blooming wildflower hike up to Jones K**b.

This trail leads to Jones K**b via the Jones Gap Trail, a short blue-blazed spur off the Bartram Trail, starting just over a half mile from the Jones Gap parking area. The summit offers 180-degree views to the west and of Whiterock Mountain.

We will then enjoy the view, pop some bubbly, and sample some charcuterie at Jone’s K**b.

Get your tickets here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf0GcJ1fM8Fa8SkkODFLqK0Tpj44vc-uFSeLHMeVdQdksO6Hg/viewform?usp=header

Address

51 Cowee School Drive
Franklin, NC
28734

Website

http://www.blueridgebartram.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Blue Ridge Bartram Trail Conservancy posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Franklin?