50th Anniversary of the Western NC Wagon Train
By Gabby Hudson

Last year the rain didn't keep these black beauties from riding.

For 50 years, teams of mules and horses have hauled wagons and their riders across back roads of North Carolina and Tennessee. Once again the sound of the clip, clop of hoofs will sound to arrival of the 2007 Western NC Wagon Train.

Today, Wagon Train drivers and their families have gathered at the Conley property to carry on the traditions of their forefather's legacy.

The camp, located on Stewart Road in Andrews, is a large field where participants set up camp sites much like their forfathers of years ago.

The week long ride will take riders on six different trails ranging in difficulty from four to 8. A four being the lowest difficulty rate where animals will have a slight pull. The schedule for the riders are:

*Thursday riders will travel to Chestnut Flats. The Flats is a 12 mile ride with a grade of five.

*Friday the group will travel 10 miles on Spread Eagle trail with a difficulty rating of 7.

*Saturday riders will head to Vengeance Creek for a 20 mile ride with a grade of four.

*Sunday is a Layover Day where participants and animals take a break.

*Monday riders will take a steep ride up Danner Cove which is rated at a 8 in difficulty.

*Tuesday the train will travel to Reece Farm, a 12 mile ride with a grade of 4.

*The Forth of July, the Wagon Train will travel to Web Creek for a 12 mile ride with a grade of four and then at 2 p.m. take part in the parade in downtown Andrews.

Dana Luther, WNC Wagon Train coordinator said that all livestock must have a current, negative coggings test to enter the camp and that a copy of the negative coggings must accompany a registration form.

The Wagon Train began in 1958 as a

trek across the mountains to highlight the need for better roads between East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.The train was originally known as the Tellico to Murphy Wagon Train.

According to the Wagon Trains Web site, riders began the ride in Tellico Plains in late June traveling the back roads.

As riders proceed they were greeted by spectators all along the route.

On July 4th when the train arrived in Murphy, 67 wagons and 325 horseback riders had become apart of the event.

In 1963 the train became incorporated as a non-profit corporation and is governed by a board of directors from Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Macon, and Swain counties.

The WNC Wagon Train also sponsors a scholarship that is awarded annually and is presented to the winner prior to the annual trek.

The scholarship is available to individuals pursuing further education in the fields related to animals, forestry, and other fields that promote the goals of the organization.