Saturday, our GetHiking! Winter Wild series takes advantage of the winter cold to hike the Lower Haw River State Natural area, which extends along its namesake river from Bynum south to U.S. 64. It’s an especially good time to hike this stretch, I tell people, because the dense foliage of summer is at bay, the flying and biting pest population is at a minimum, and the cold-blooded snakes will be tucked into their hidey-holes.
Snakes? they inquire.
Indeed. Some of the biggest snakes I’ve seen have been the water snakes that inhabit the rocky banks of the Haw. Harmless northern banded water snakes, mind you, but big, big suckers. Years ago, I remember standing with my wife atop Bynum’s auto-cum-pedestrian bridge over the Haw staring down at some rocks below. I thought a huge branch had been washed downstream and lodged in the scramble. Then it moved. Ever since, I’ve been careful not to take people down the Haw if the temperature was much over 60.
Thus, if you’re snake-curious, but also snake-squeamish, winter is the best time to learn about snakes — a time when you’re unlikely to actually come upon one in the wild. Hence, the reason we recommend Saturday’s Snakes program at Jones Lake State Park near Elizabethtown. Meet at the Visitor Center where a ranger will tell you about the snakes of the region, including the venomous ones, none of which will be slithering about. Starts at 10 a.m. Go here for more details.
And while you’re there? Plan to stick around afterward and hike the 4-mile Bay Trail that circles Jones Lake. This is one flat hike: hiked clockwise from the Visitor Center you start through a pine savannah rimming the west side of the lake, the exposure allowing welcome, warming sunshine on a cold winter day (the forecast: the temperature won’t rise much above 50). The return is through dense woods you might expect in a coastal forest, with lots of bays and bushes elbowing for space. Good trail.
Also this weekend:
Winter Solstice. Observe the longest night of the year — nearly 15 hours — and celebrate the gradual return of daylight around the campfire, where a ranger will talk about the science and stories surrounding this celestial event. Dress warm (the temperature should be in the upper 30s). Learn more here.
Sunday Morning Bird Walk, Sunday, 8 a.m., Eno River State Park, Durham. Get the official first day of winter off to an active start with this 2-mile hike to check out the Eno’s bird scene. Dress warm (the temperature should be in the mid-30s). Learn more here; although the event is free, space is limited and registration is required, by calling 919.383.1686.
GetHiking! Winter Wild on the Lower Haw River. Saturday, 9 a.m., Bynum. As we mentioned earlier, we’ll be exploring the Lower Haw River this month as part of our Winter Wild series of mostly off-trail hikes. Learn more about the hike and sign up to join us here.
GetHiking! this weekend
What are our GetHiking! groups in North Carolina and Virginia up to this weekend? Plenty, thanks for asking …
GetOriented! Finding Your Way in the Woods, Sunday, December 22, 1 p.m., 6101 Cole Mill Rd., Durham. 30-minute map-and-compass introduction, then use that map and compass — and some Daniel Boone skills — to find our way in the woods. Learn more here.
GetHiking! Charlottesville: Terrapin Mountain Circuit, Sunday, December 22, 8 a.m., 400 Ray C Hunt Dr., Charlottesville. Strenuous. 10.1 miles. Hike highlights: Terrapin Mountain Trail, multiple rock outcroppings, winter vistas and views, Camping Gap, Reed Creek, Meadow Creek. Learn more here.
Live the video
Last weekend’s trip to the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness was our last GetBackpacking! trip for 2019; we’ll be back in January with a trip on the Appalachian Trail from Max Patch to Hot Springs. As for exploring the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness, we’ll be back in the spring. Your best bet for exploring the Birkheads, as well as the rest of central North Carolina’s Uwharrie National Forest? Get a copy of Don Childrey’s “Uwharrie Lakes Region Trail Guide,” with more than 215-miles of trail and trip recommendations, it’s by far the best resource for the region. Learn more here.
More Weekend Options
Looking for more options for weekend adventure? Check out our GetOut! Find An Adventure resource page here.