It’s gonna be one summery weekend, with temperatures in the 90s throughout most of our adventuring region. Our recommendations for this weekend are with the heat in mind.
Stream Safari, Saturday, 2 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. Water — clear, cool water — is a key component of this event, in which water bugs, water quality and staying cool are the focus. If you’re one of those folks who’ve always meant to visit Stone Mountain (but haven’t), here’s a good opportunity. And since Stone Mountain is likely a drive for many of you, we suggest also paying a visit to the park’s namesake, a 600-foot granite dome, via the 4.5-mile Stone Mountain Loop Trail (which also visits a 200-foot waterfall). Learn more about the hike here, the park here.
Guided Commissary Trail Hike, Sunday, 4 p.m., Mount Mitchell State Park. Burnsville. Hanging in water is one way to beat the heat, getting high is another. And you can’t get any higher along the East Coast than 6,684-foot Mount Mitchell, the venue for Sunday’s hike on the Commissary Trail. Learn some history, learn about the flora and fauna in this boreal forest above 6,000 feet. Learn more here.
Morning Stand-up Paddle Board Tour, Saturday, 8 a.m., Lake Johnson Park, Raleigh. First, getting up on, and paddling, a SUP is a lot easier than you think, especially the stable beginner-friendly boards used at Lake Johnson. Once you get up and paddle a spell, you’ll paddle to different parts of the lake to learn about its wildlife, natural features and history (for starters, it’s one of Raleigh’s 13 flood control lakes). A two-hour tour, a two-hour tour … . $20 for Raleigh residents, $35 for outsiders. Learn more and find out how to register (spaces are limited) here.
GetHiking! this weekend
What are our GetHiking! groups in North Carolina and Virginia up to this weekend? Plenty, thanks for asking …
GetHiking! Charlotte: South Mountain Loop, Friday, June 28, 9:30 a.m. South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs. Strenuous. 8-mile loop through South Mountains State Park. Learn more here.
GetHiking! Charlottesville: Riprap Hollow Circuit, Saturday, June 29, 8:15 a.m. Fontaine Research Park, Charlottesville. Strenuous. 9.5-miles. High highlights: Appalachian Trail, Riprap Trail, Chimney Rock. Learn more here.
GetHiking! Charlottesville: Bike Ride on High Bridge Trail, Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m. Sticks Kebob. Charlottesville. Easy. 10-mile bike ride along the High Bridge Trail. Learn more here.
Live the video
This week’s video comes from a scouting trip last Sunday to Rock Castle Gorge along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. We’ll be paying a visit in the fall, as part of our new quick weekend escapes series. More on that in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile, learn more about Rock Castle Gorge here.
More options
Looking for more options for weekend adventure? Check out our GetOut! Find An Adventure resource page here.