PROJECT B.2 WILDERNESS GATEWAY TRAIL The planned Wilderness Gateway State Trail (WGST) stretches approximately 170 miles and will connect Rutherford, McDowell, Burke, and Catawba Counties. Within McDowell County the trail connects privately conserved lands between the northwest corner of Rutherford County and South Mountains Game Lands and State Park. Approximately 35 miles of the trail is proposed in McDowell County. B.2.1 Partnerships and Planning
where the trail crosses US Highway 64, US Highway
plans to contract construction of that segment of trail.
The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina (FCNC)
221, Brackett Town, and Rhom Town Roads.
East of US Hwy 64 the WGST is co-aligned with the OVNHT as it proceeds north towards Burke County.
continues to work with a private conservationist to secure a land corridor for the length of the trail within
ACTION ITEMS:
McDowell County. Approximately 17,335 acres have
•
Develop and implement trailheads and support
ACTION ITEMS:
currently been conserved. The US Fish and Wildlife
facilities at locations where the WGST intersects
•
Service (USFWS) plans to include these lands in the
with the OVNHT near US Hwy 64 and the Peavine
and OVNHT from US Hwy 64 to the north and
Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge Box Creek
Connector Trail near US Hwy 221.
east as outlined in the OVNHT: Morganton to
Support implementation of the co-aligned WGST
Rutherfordton Master Plan.
Conservation Partnership Area. While a high level plan •
Work with partners to acquire easements/land
for the WGST was completed by the NC Division of
B.2.3 Trail Implementation
Parks and Recreation, additional planning focused on
Approximately 35 miles of planned WGST is located
from willing landowners, design, and construct a
McDowell County would be beneficial.
within McDowell County, and 30 miles has been
sustainable trail alignment within the planned and
designed and laid out to connect US Hwy 221 and US
secured corridor.
ACTION ITEMS: •
Hwy 64. Once funding is secured, Foothills Conservancy
Participate in planning and development of a Wilderness Gateway State Trail master plan that
US HWY 64 TRAILHEAD
focuses on a conceptual trail alignment and parcel acquisition within the County. wilderness gateway state trail
RESTROOM AND KIOSK
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Participate in planning and development of branding, signage, wayfinding, and trail support facility plans to unify planned trailheads.
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with the Overmountain Victory National of McDowell County as it crosses US Hwy 64 and heads north. The US Hwy 64 trailhead will serve both the WGST and OVNHT. Key
us-6 4
The FCNC is also working on trailhead development and
features at the trailhead include parking for
mowed grass loop through meadow
24 typical vehicles, 2 ADA parking spaces,
efforts should focus on areas where state trails and connectors coalign to leverage funding and maximize
wilderness gateway state trail
floodplain
entry sign
entry sign, kiosk, bathroom, and short nature trail. Trailhead development will require
benefits. Current planning efforts propose trailheads 1=60'
overmountain victory trail 0
68 — Recommendations
The Wilderness Gateway State Trail co-aligns Historic and State Trail in the southeast corner
24 typical parking spots 2 ada parking spots
B.2.2 Trailheads trail implementation. MCTDA trailhead development
EXH 20
30
60
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approval by the USFWS. DESTINATION MCDOWELL TOURISM MASTER PLAN