The world comes alive in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the summer months. Bees buzz, the green foliage deepens, and animals are at their most active. Among the most notable is the population of black bears that make their home in this region surrounding The Divide at Bald Rock. While beautiful to behold, it is important to know the basics of black bear safety to ensure your time spent among the mountaintops is blissful and safe.  

There are roughly 240,000 black bears in the United States, and it’s important to note that our local population doesn’t fully hibernate, and therefore, is active year-round. Foraging for food is always a necessity, so bear sightings are common throughout both the region and calendar year. So, it’s extremely important to always be on the lookout for bears and their cubs.

Because black bears also call the Blue Ridge Mountains home, follow these steps to both respect their space and ensure your own safety:

1.       Be Aware. With such an active population, it’s important to simply always be aware of your surroundings. Avoid hiking at night, be cautious going to and from your car or exiting/entering your home, and never intentionally approach any wild animals, especially a bear.

2.       Respect their space. If you notice a bear nearby or find one to be frequenting certain areas, respect this space by avoiding it or packing up your belongings and making your way to a different area. Move quickly and quietly and try your best to not disturb their habitat.

3.       Back Away Slowly. If you unintentionally find yourself in close proximity with a black bear, back away slowly without making any sudden movements and put as much distance between you and the bear as possible.

4.       Make Noise & Get Big. If you’re confronted with a bear that seems to be either advancing or aggressive and backing away isn’t an option, make your big. Don’t charge the animal or inversely try to run away. Instead, wave your arms, yell, throw rocks, sticks, or any other available objects and stand your ground until the bear turns away.

Other black bear facts to note:

·         Bears are not typically aggressive by nature. Though they can learn from mistreatment, they are generally shy, secretive, and fearful of humans. Compared to grizzly bears who can be inherently more aggressive, black bears tend to mind their own business.

·         The black bear has extremely keen senses of smelling and hearing. This means they can pick up on and track scent trails from far away. Therefore, keep all garbage and scented products safely locked away. Which leads to…

·         Do not intentionally feed bears. As they are wild animals, it’s important that they do not become dependent on human handouts. Should a bear get accustomed to human food, it begins to associate food with humans and therefore become uncharacteristically aggressive.

If we keep these things in mind, we can enjoy sharing our home with the local black bear population; they are truly majestic creatures, breathtaking to see in their natural habitats.

As the temperature continues to climb, it’s no surprise that local residents take to the trails to explore the ever-expanding foliage and explore the area’s natural landscape of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They’re not called “the oldest, most accessible, and most culturally fascinating ranges in the world” for nothing. They’re home to over 1,400 different plant species and over 250 kinds of animals, and many enthusiastic hikers hope to see each and every one of them by hiking far and often.

But before you hit the trails, be sure to check out these five tips on how to remain safe on trails through Panthertown and the Blue Ridge.

1.       Be aware. While this is kind of a given, there is an active black bear population (HERE is what to do if you encounter a bear) as well as other risk factors that could potentially be harmful to hikers. That’s why, first and foremost, you must constantly be aware of yours surroundings when on the trails.

2.       Power in numbers. When going out for a hike, it’s important to always tell someone who will not be joining when and where you are headed. Make sure this person knows the tentative timeframe of your return and have a plan in place about what to do should you exceed that time. When venturing out, hike in pairs or groups if possible. Be sure to always stay together and keep smaller children in front of you and in your line of vision.

3.       Pack like a scout. Carrying a pack while hiking is added weight and can add a level of difficulty to your hike, but it’s worth it. Be sure to pack extra water, snacks, basic first aid, bear spray, and other emergency equipment to take with you regardless of how long the hike is or how far you plan on going. Always be prepared.

4.       Hone an age-old hiking skill. No, you might not ever really have to use it, but learn how to read and use an old fashioned map and compass and be sure to take both with you. Especially in the region of the Divide, cell service is spotty at best, so try not to rely on your phone or GPS to get you where you need to go because connection is an issue. Which leads to…

5.       Pick a path. It’s fun to explore the living world around you when out in the middle of the mountains but don’t stray too far from known and marked hiking trails. You may not be able to find your way back should you leave the path.

Experiencing the beauty that is the Blue Ridge Mountains is one that will live with you forever. Get out and enjoy the gorgeous North Carolina weather and all the valley has to offer, but do so safely. For further hiking tips visit: https://www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/trail-safety.htm.

The Bald Rock Mountain area that The Divide calls home is a very special mountain community that sits high above beautiful Sapphire Valley, North Carolina. In addition to breathtaking scenery, active wildlife, and miles of established hiking trails, Bald Rock Mountain also lays claim to one of the most exclusive communities in the Blue Ridge Mountains, The Divide at Bald Rock.

As the weather warms up, the residents of both The Divide and Bald Rock are excited to begin once again a summer of socials and other festivities. With the beautiful landscape in common, residents of these communities spend very little time indoors, and instead choose to relish in the outdoor scenery and company of those whom share their luxurious mountaintop lifestyle.

While you can often find residents participating in a variety of activities at their own leisure, one of the key benefits of living at The Divide is the unity and comradery that exists among the mountains. Our residents share space at our mountaintop equestrian center, enjoy the amenities of the Sapphire Valley Resort, and simply soak up the one-of-a-kind environment in which they live.

As we’re gearing up for the heart of the 2019 social season, our residents can look forward to both pavilion parties and a series of mule rides, hosted by neighbors and friends. What’s better than hopping on your Mule Four Wheeler and stopping down to your neighbor’s house for drinks before heading to the pavilion for a block party: Bald Rock Mountain style? Just picture yourself crossing the rugged, mountain terrain, cold beverage in hand, meeting up at the party pavilion for food, drinks, games, and good times just a short Mule ride away from your dream mountaintop home? This is the reality that residents of The Divide live each and every day – weather permitting.

Interested in the mountaintop lifestyle? Our first pavilion party of the season is scheduled for May 25, Memorial Day weekend. Become part of the community by sending your information to The Divide by emailing info@dividenc.com.

Our secluded, mountaintop homes offer an exclusive opportunity for an immersive, nature experience. While the views and the luxurious lifestyle are among the top reasons nature-lovers choose a home at The Divide, the neighbors are among the local favorites, too. You’ll quickly find that the majority of the neighbors our residents encounter often have four legs.

With over 70 species of mammals specifically documented in the region, there’s always something to be on the lookout for. Here’s a preview of what the kinds of neighbors to expect when you become a member of The Divide’s community:

• Black Bears – Black bears tend to be the talk of the town and the residents of The Divide. As much of the surrounding area is protected by the Wildlife Resource Commission, black bears are very active and can be spotted throughout the region. Though wild and dangerous, many of our residents have been able to safely observe them in their natural habitats.

• Bobcats – Though an area not far from the region of The Divide is known as Panthertown, much of the cat population is actually bobcats. The terms bobcat, cougar, jaguar, panther, and mountain lion are all typically used interchangeably, there are differences in each species and only bobcats have been proven residents in this region.

• Beavers & Otters – Along the streams and rivers that run through the valleys of the Appalachian Mountains, you can find families of both beavers and otters. The dams built by beavers are often a fun feature many of our residents enjoy seeing while out hiking and exploring.

• Shrews – Despite being nocturnal, there is a wide variety of different shrew species present in the area.

• Other Common Animals – In addition to these more region-specific species, you can also find many deer, turkeys, turtles, foxes, squirrels, lizards, rabbits, raccoons, skunks, and more.

Come experience the beautiful, living landscapes that make up the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding area. Your next home could be a mountaintop mansion, perfect for anyone who truly appreciates the value of wildlife. And trust us, you’ll love your neighbors.
Start your search with The Divide by sending an email to info@dividenc.com.

If there’s one thing the residents of The Divide at Bald Rock and the greater Sapphire Valley know how to do, it’s finding new ways to have fun. While our hiking trails and mountain views are beautiful beyond belief, many of our residents have taken to exploring them and enjoying them in new ways. And thus, the Sapphire Valley Resort Outhouse Races were born. While hitting the slopes strapped to snowboards and skis is always a good time, this unique, annual event requires some extra pizzazz for this run. Locals and tourists alike are welcome to create a one-of-a-kind mobile outhouse to race toward the end of ski season. The 2019 Great Outhouse Race is set for tomorrow, February 16th and it’s an area event you won’t want to miss! This event is exactly what it sounds. Racers construct one-of-a-kind outhouses to race down the slopes of the resort. The outhouses can be made of anything from wood and plastic to cardboard and fabric. The only requirements are a seat with a hole and a roll of toilet paper. Teams compete head-to-head on a two-lane course around 120 feet in length. Racers are allowed to push their outhouse – and “driver” – for the first portion but then gravity and physics have to take over to help them cross the finish line. While hokey and a little unorthodox, this event is a local favorite that never seems to disappoint. The resort offers a variety of food, music, and other activities that help make the day one to remember. So come on out to catch this event (or you can stream it online here). Best of luck to all competitors! Photo Courtesy: Discover Jackson County