Happy Thanksgiving!
We come at you a day early this week because we know that once the tryptophan wears off later today you’ll be wondering what to do with the next three days — things that don’t have to do with throwing elbows at the mall.
As usual, we have some thoughts on the subject. A slight aberration this week: we start with Friday.
Friday
Black Friday Backlash Hike, 9 a.m., Upper Barton Creek Boat Ramp, Falls Lake, Raleigh. This is one of our own, a GetHiking! hike intended for those who like fresh air as opposed to the air of stress and angst. We’ll hike a 2.1-mile stretch of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake that’s one of our faves, including encounters with the lake, a hidden beach, tucked-away coves and a stretch of abandoned blacktop left over from pre-lake days. Learn more and sign up here.
Green Friday Hike, 1 p.m., Haw River State Park, Browns Summit (near Greensboro). “Instead of spending your green on Black Friday,” states the park, “join us for a Green Hike Friday … .” Distance: 1.75 miles; pace: pretty easy — 2 hours are allotted for the hike. Learn more and sign up here.
Saturday
Pilot Mountain, Pilot Creek Hike, 10 a.m., Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. We’re doing it again, with another GetHiking! hike, this time through our Triad chapter. This 6.6-mile out-and-back hike spends its time around the base of Pilot Mountain, a base that’s more scenic than even most Pilot Mountain regulars would suspect. Lots of hardwoods (some still bearing color), a creek or two, no crowds. Learn more and sign up to join us here.
Biological Wonderland Ramble, 10 a.m., Carolina Beach State Park, Swansboro. Spending the holidays at the coast? If you’re in the Wilmington area and looking for something different, check out this hike on the half-mile Flytrap Trail, where a ranger will talk about the unusual plant life in the park. Learn more and sign up here.
Sunday
Three Rivers Trail Guided Hike, 2 p.m., Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle. This short (less than a mile), beginner-friendly (it’s flat, in a floodplain), eschews the challenging climbs of the park on the western fringe of the Uwharrie Mountains in favor of hiking along the Uwharrie, Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers. Learn more and sign up here.
GetHiking! this weekend
What are our GetHiking! groups in North Carolina and Virginia up to this weekend? Plenty, thanks for asking … .
GetHiking! Charlottesville: Black Friday Hike-Lewis Peak, Friday, November 29, 8 a.m., Brownsville Elementary School, Charlottesville. Moderately Strenuous. 9 miles. Hike highlights: Appalachian Trail, Rockytop Trail, Big Run Loop Trail, Fall ridge line views, Multiple Rock Falls, 360 degree views from the summit of Lewis Peak, Lewis Peak Summit Trail. Learn more here.
GetHiking! Triad: Pilot Mountain State Park: Pilot Creek Trail, Saturday, November 30, 10 a.m., 304 Boyd Nelson Rd., Pinnacle. Moderate. 6.6 miles. Hike highlights: begins on the undeveloped north side of the park and winds up at the campground. Learn more and sign up here.
GetHiking! Charlottesville: Peaks of Otter, Sunday, December 1, 8 a.m., 400 Ray C Hunt Dr., Charlottesville. Strenuous. 9.8 miles. Hike highlights: Sharptop Trail, Buzzards Roost, 360 degree views from the summit of Sharptop, Lake Trail, Flattop Trail, 360 degree views from the summit of Flattop, multiple viewpoints from both the Sharptop and Flattop Trails. Learn more here.
Live the video
This week’s video takes us on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake north of Raleigh. With 60 miles along the lake, and more than twice that through the entire Triangle (not to mention the entire 1,175 miles spanning the state), the MST is a great destination for holiday weekend adventure. Learn more about exploring the MST here.
More weekend options
Looking for more options for weekend adventure? Check out our GetOut! Find An Adventure resource page here.