South Fork Rail Trail Traditional Cache

This cache is about halfway down the South Fork Rail Trail.  The trail itself is a wide, crushed stone trail along the banks of the South Fork Catawba River.  This trail, and cache, have plenty to offer families, hikers, and nature lovers.

This cache is located in the Paul & Agnes Rhyne Conservation Preserve along the South Fork Rail Trail.  Catawba Lands Conservancy helps to protect this area and maintains the trail.  This 0.9-mile trail is part of the Carolina Thread Trail.

On your way to the cache, you'll have a great view of the restored and historic Laboratory Cotton Mill built in 1887.  It sits on the site of the former Confederate Morphine Laboratory.  In addition,  a cypress swamp, planted in the 1930s, thrives in a wet spot along the trail.  This swamp is unusual because these large trees are normally found at the coast.

The Paul & Agnes Rhyne Conservation Area protects over 400 acres of hardwood forests along the South Fork Catawba River.  This area is home to a Federally Threatened plant, numerous other imperiled plants and animals, unique habitats, and a variety of other animals and wildflowers.  The abundance of rare species and unique, quality habitat lead the NC Natural Heritage Program to recognizes this area as a one of the most significant Natural Heritage Areas in the state.

We've also placed a few First Finders rewards to get this cache started!