So, we’ve had how many feet of rain from the remnants of Etta?
The good news is that Etta is supposed to vacate the area before dawn breaks on Friday. The other good news: by the time the weekend rolls around — a weekend forecast to have sunny skies and seasonal temperatures — most local waterways will still be showing some spunk from the storm. Thus, our three hike recommendations for the weekend are all trails where water makes the adventure all the more adventurous.
Before we get to the hikes, a reminder that we have guides to all three. Find details on on how to procure them at the bottom of this blog.
- Sycamore Trail (loop portion), Umstead State Park, Raleigh. 4.4 miles. We like to avoid the big crowds at Umstead by starting at the bike and bridle trailhead on the Glenwood Avenue side of the park. From there, pick up the the Sycamore Trail’s loop portion, a mile-and-a-half of which is along Sycamore Creek, the super hero of Piedmont Creeks. In dry times, its personality is likewise: a little flow here and there, some standing water. But when the skies empty the creek throws off its wan water-ways and impersonates a raging Appalachian whitewater creek. Probably the best water walk in the region.
- Duke Forest, Korstian Division: Gate 25, Durham. 3.2 miles. The show stopper here is New Hope Creek, about 0.8 miles in. The trail parallels New Hope Creek for about three-quarters-of-a-mile, providing access to some of the best waterfall impersonations in the Triangle. A couple of boulders above the creek give especially good access to the action.
- Little River Regional Park, Rougemont. 4.5 miles, with a 3.5-mile option. Hike either the North River Loop (1.2 miles) or South River Loop (1.4 miles) in summer and you’ll likely wonder how the Little River manages to maintain its “river” status. Ah, but after a rain, the north end of the North Loop in particular is mesmerizing as the current makes its way through several rocky channels.
Also this weekend …
North Carolina State Parks is holding 10 events systemwide this weekend. Of particular note is the Biological Wonderland Hike at Carolina Beach State Park at 10 a.m. The hike is the winter version of the park’s warm-weather Carnivorous Plant Hike. And if you can’t make it this Saturday, no worries: it’s held pretty much every Saturday through February at 10 a.m. Details here.
Find other N.C. State Parks events scheduled for the weekend here.
Again, the weather looks promising for exploring. In the Piedmont, look for sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s, while in West Jefferson, the forecast calls for temperatures in the 50s with a chance of rain Sunday. Looking for something cooler still? The temperature at Mount Mitchell State Park won’t get out of the mid-40s this weekend, under mostly sunny skies.
GetOut! And enjoy!
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Our three hikes
Interested in hiking one or all of our three recommended hikes? For this weekend only — through Sunday — you can download them as a package by going here. You can waive the usual fee for our guides through Sunday by entering the code DRTMAH85 at checkout.