Initially, it looked like the cold front ushered in by the remnants of Ida would lose its oomph by the weekend. Now, it appears the front has opted to extend its stay. Temperatures won’t be much above 80 through the weekend. It will be sunny. It will be less humid.
This is the weekend you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to get out and explore. Our thoughts on the subject.
Friday
GetHiking! Friday Morning Chill Hike at Cox Mountain, 7:30 a.m., Fews Ford Access, Eno River State Park, Durham. Why wait for the weekend when you can hit the trail Friday morning under sunny, brisk (with a temperature in the mid-50s) skies. We’ll hike the Cox Mountain Trail, a 4-mile jaunt including a climb up Cox Mountain, a walk along the Eno, and fab early morning light. Learn more and sign up to join us here.
Birdwatching Hike, 2 p.m. Fews Ford Access, Eno River State Park, Durham. Not an early bird. Some birds aren’t, either. Presumably those are the ones that will be the focus of binoculars at this mid-afternoon birdwatching session, led by a naturalist. They’ll hike about a mile; bring water and hiking shoes. Learn more and sign up (registration is limited) by calling 919.383.1686.
Saturday
Alder Trail Hike, 10 a.m., Lake Norman State Park, Troutman. Been a while since you’ve hiked and not sure about your stamina? This hike of less than a mile, to learn about local flora and fauna, may be just the ticket. Registration is limited to 10, call 704.528.6350 to register.
Nature Hike, noon, Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville. It won’t make it out of the 50s on Saturday at Mount Mitchell State Park, the highest point east of the Black Hills, giving you a chance to bypass early fall and head directly to the season’s fleecy part. This is a 3/4-mile hike through a spruce-fir forest. Learn more here. And if you like that hike, stick around for the Appalachian Rainforest presentation at 2:30 p.m., followed by the Wildflower Hike at 4:30 p.m.
Sunday
Invasive Plants and Animals, 9:30 a.m., Pilot Mountain State Park (Hauser Road Access), Pinnacle. You’re on a hike and the terrain appears to be dominated by a single type of plant. When that’s the case, there’s a good chance it’s a plant not native to the area. Rather, it’s an invasive that flourishes because the area lacks the flora and fauna that otherwise keeps it in check. Learn why this is trouble and what can be done to control these guests. Learn more here.
GetHiking! Fall Sunday Hike Series, 1 p.m., various locations in the Triangle. A plug for our popular Fall Sunday Hike Series that begins this Sunday and runs every Sunday through Nov. 21. We hike a different trail every week, for 11 weeks. Our first hike in the series is this Sunday. Learn more and sign up to join us here.
Fall is here, at least through the weekend. Get out and enjoy!
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Hike DIY
Wanna take a hike on your own but not sure where to go? Our GetHiking! Trail Guides cover many of our favorite hikes and provide all the information you need, from an overview of the hike and how to reach the trailhead, to a custom map and route description (not to mention a video preview). Check ‘em out here.