July 4th weekend — the first, really, in two years. There’s a lot of pressure to make the most of this three-day celebration.
A traditionally popular way to observe the weekend is to go camping, and before you say, “Wish I’d thought of that before: there won’t be any campsites left. Besides, I don’t have the key camping gear” be advised that neither are an issue. For starters, reserveamerica.com. reports that plenty of campsites remain available throughout the state. As for the requisite camping gear, look no further than the GetCamping! program we run with our partners at Great Outdoor Provision Co. Six-person tent, sleeping pads, hammock, two-burner camp stove, two rocking camp chairs, a hammock, lights — all the key camping gear. And what we don’t provide, you likely already have; we’ll include a list of suitable household substitutes, stuff you likely already have around the house that works well for camping.read more
This past weekend’s GetBackpacking! trip had the forecast for disaster: high temperatures around 90 under sunny skies. Not the best way to make a favorable first impression, especially to folks unaccustomed to hiking with 35 pounds on their backs. And yet … .read more
In the past couple of weeks, the U.S. Forest Service has had to close backcountry campsites and issue warnings about bear activity in certain areas. Specifically:
Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock Wilderness — specifically, the Haoe Lead, Stratton Bald, Hangover Lead and Hangover trails
Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee, where camping has been banned on the Appalachian Trail between Double Springs Shelter and the intersection with Backbone Rock Side Trail.
Pisgah National Forest along the Appalachian Trail, from Pisgah Grassy Fork Road, mile marker 245, to Max Patch Road, mile marker 253, including the Groundhog Creek Shelter.
The reason? Campers have been sloppy with their food, specifically with not storing it properly.read more
You can tell the hot days of summer are upon us when the night events start popping up at our State Parks. Such as:
Stars and Planets, Saturday, 9 p.m., Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. The Greensboro Astronomy Club lets you take a peek through their lenses to see what’s up in the sky above. More info here.read more
