Before our GetBackpacking! trip last weekend on the 22-mile Neusiok Trail, we had a little hygiene talk: Share a little less on this hike, I advised. Handle your own water, resist the urge to sample a fellow hiker’s Cherry Cocoa Nib dehydrated breakfast. But I also said we would be spending the weekend in one of the safest places around: the wide-open spaces of the outdoors: few people, lots of room to breath in peace. Our typically worry-free playground seemed even more so in these uncertain times.

We seek solace and escape on the trail, and we seek it more than ever now. So take advantage of this relatively safe environment and be sure to get out this weekend. Some thoughts on how and where you can make that happen.

A quick note: If you elect to attend one of these events, double check beforehand to make sure it’s still a go. Word reached us late Thursday that the Triangle Land Conservancy has canceled its March in-person events. Other entities may follow.

Supplejack Spring Hike, Saturday, 11 a.m., Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. Another thing I mentioned before our hike in the coastal Croatan National Forest: time’s running out to explore, on foot, at the coast. The temperature warms much more and you’ll be dealing with the pests, slithering and blood-sucking, that make a coastal outing less appealing. Thus, our recommendation for Saturday’s 2-mile hike on the Supplejack Trail, which winds through the dense vegetation common to a coastal woods. Degree of difficulty: easy. Learn more here.

Spring Hike: Naturally Wonderful Waterfalls, Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. When we head to the high country, we typically have two objectives: mountaintop views and waterfalls. The latter is the focus of this 1.2-mile hike to the top of Stone Mountain Falls, a 200-foot cascade with great access thanks to a wood staircase with several observation decks. You can achieve the second objective — views — after the hike by hiking a mile to the exposed summit of Stone Mountain. Learn more and sign up here.

Eno River Association Spring Series: Penny’s Bend Nature Preserve, Sunday, 2 p.m., Durham. Penny’s Bend boasts a bonanza of spring wildflowers, from Dutchman’s Breeches to Painted Buckeye, making this the spring wildflower hike of the season. This hike is mostly off trail, includes difficult terrain, and will last about three hours. Learn more here.

GetHiking! this weekend

What are our GetHiking! groups in North Carolina and Virginia up to this weekend? Plenty, thanks for asking …

GetExploring! Greenville: Paddling 101 Clinic, Thursday, March 12, 6 p.m., Great Outdoor Provision Co., Greenville. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlotte: Panthertown Valley, Saturday, March 14, 9:30 a.m., 230 Hwy 64 E, Cashiers. Easy-Moderate. 7 miles. Hike Highlights: 4 waterfalls. Learn more here. GetBackpacking! Intro to Backpacking Training Hike, Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m., Morrow Mountain State Park, Albemarle. Moderate. 5 miles. Hike Highlights:  Evaluating a campsite, setting up camp, breaking camp, meal preparation, hiking form, ensuring a good pack fit. Learn more here. GetHiking! Charlotte: South Mountains, Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m., South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs. Strenuous. 8-9 miles. Learn more here. GetHiking! Triangle: Midweek Escape at Umstead State Park, Monday, March 16, 1 p.m., 2100 N Harrison Ave., Cary. Moderately Difficult. 5.9 miles. Option for 2 miles. Hike Highlights: Crabtree Creek, hardwood and pine woods, trout lily, budding oaks and hickories. Learn more here.

Live the video

Today’s video is from our weekend GetBackpacking! trip on the Neusiok Trail. Learn more about our upcoming backpacking programs here, more about the Neusiok Trail here.

More Weekend Options

Looking for more options for weekend adventure? Check out our GetOut! Find An Adventure resource page here.