After assessing storm damage, the Tryon Garden Club says that Pearson’s Falls and Glen were not spared Hurricane Helene’s fury.

 

Pearson’s Falls and Glen, a botanical preserve on Highway 176 between Tryon and Saluda, is a unique habitat along Colt Creek protected by steep sides of the river cove forest up to the 90-foot upper waterfall. The storm has forced a temporary closure of the preserve, and there is no public access. 
 

We are grateful for the rescue teams and road crews that helped people along Pearson’s Falls Road after the storm.  Our Operations Director, Andy Ruff and his wife, were able to walk out to safety with the help of a team on Monday, September 30. The road is now cleared and open to local traffic, and Andy and his wife Melissa moved back into their home at Pearson’s Falls on October 21.” 

The good news is that the buildings near the entrance and parking areas are not damaged.  The Webster Way trail is mostly intact and is repairable up to the lower picnic area. However, the main trail to the falls is severely damaged and impassable in some areas from the lower picnic area, past Lightner’s Ledge, over the stone Chase Bridge, and up to the upper falls. 

 

The garden club board has established a restoration team led by Vice-President John James to assess the damage and repairs needed. Key members of the team include Andy Ruff, Pearson’s Falls Education Chair Rae Ann Wessel, and former Pearson’s Falls Chair Bob Tobey. We will continue to update the public via various media channels. 

 

Our team is investigating multiple courses of action, speaking with experts, and contacting people with technical knowledge of cleaning up and repairing severe storm damage. We plan to take time, consult professionals, and develop a plan of action, knowing it is a valuable botanical preserve and must be protected. Inspections are already in progress. 

Once restoration cost estimates are established, a fundraising committee will be established. 

 

Fortunately, due to prudent planning, the Tryon Garden Club has an operations fund that will carry us for a year.  

 

Pearson’s Falls and Glen is a 501(c)(3) organization owned and operated by the Tryon Garden Club since 1931. For more information, contact pearsonfallsinfo@gmail.com.