The Panthertown Trace is a project dreamt up in support of the Friends of Panthertown Valley conservation group. The challenge is to link every (Note: Official) trail in the valley in one continuous effort. The fun is that local explorer, Carlton McNeil, had established the foundation that became the official trail network many years ago when he would push through the valley’s dense foliage with his machete. Many of his trails became official, but many did not, and this means there are footpaths and rhododendron tunnels all over the valley that can help users connect official trails to cut down on backtracking mileage. I believe I did a good job minimizing wasted mileage with the .gpx attached, but runners are by no means married to my exact footpath and are welcomed to improve upon it if they can.
Panthertown Valley, the “Yosemite of the East,” is a long valley enclosed by a handful of granitic domes and is one of the state’s largest black bear sanctuaries. The domes do not get a lot of sun, so they can be thickly iced over in the Winter, and there are an abundance of megafauna such as black bears and razorback hogs to be aware of in Summer, so choose your own adventure as you like.
It is in the spirit of this project that any who attempt this FKT give one volunteer day to a trail system, be it Friends of Panthertown or whatever is local to the athlete. I have attached Friends of Panthertown’s website below.
I am also available for information on the route via email at Myers.JacobG@gmail.com
https://panthertown.org/
