Archived Outdoors

Key land tract conserved in Macon

Two adjoining properties that Mainspring Conservation Trust bought in July now link previously unconnected pieces of national forest and state lands in southern Macon County, also boosting connectivity for the Bartram Trail. 

The 71-acre purchase is mostly floodplain with some upland forestland. It fits between land surrounding Coweeta Mound, which Mainspring conveyed to state ownership in 2008, and national forest land through which the long-distance Bartram Trail weaves. Currently, the Bartram Trail exits the woods and walks along the road at that point, but the purchase will allow the trail to be routed to the Little Tennessee River instead. 

Mainspring is currently raising money to create a parking area on the site for Bartram Trail hikers. 

Donate to Mainspring online at mainspringconserves.networkforgood.com.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.