We take a lot of groups on weekend hiking trips to the mountains. As a result, we stay in a lot of group campgrounds. When we book a group campground, we look at a number of factors, including:
Proximity to good hiking. Ideally, we look for a campground with immediate access to trails — and not just any old trails, but trails that will yield a full day of memorable hiking. If we can treat people to an entire day of using just their own feet to get around, we we find they enjoy the day that much more..
Shaded camping. We hike mostly in summer, so we need to pitch tents where they won’t broil during the day.
A commons area. A big fire pit, a picnic table or two, rocks or logs to sit on — we don’t ask much, but these are biggies.
Basic amenities. We need water at the campsite, we’d like a privy not too far away. A bathhouse, of course, is nice. And if we can park a reasonable distance away — within 50 yards of the campsite, say — all the better.
Privacy. From others in the group, to some degree (hey, we all need a little me time), but mostly from neighboring campers. We escape to the wild for various reasons; it’s those who escape to the wild to be wild that we prefer to avoid.
Good vibe. Most importantly, the site must have a good vibe. It needn’t be immaculately groomed; rather, we like a spot that fits in with the natural surroundings. Sometimes you know the second you drive up, sometimes it takes a night or two of camaraderie to summons the vibe.
There are other factors, but these are the basics. Based on these basics, here are our our five favorite group campgrounds in North Carolina.read more
When you dream of a summer weekend in the dead of winter, you dream of a summer weekend like the one forecast for this Saturday and Sunday: high around 90 (in the Piedmont, at least), slight chance of thunderstorms. A weekend, in other words, made for dreamy adventure.read more
Today, we present our 10 favorite mountain watering holes, places where you are guaranteed to escape the death-grip of summer’s 90/90 (heat/humidity) doldrums. Some are just off the road, some you have to work for. All are worth a visit. Links for more information follow.read more
It’s the first official weekend of summer (it punches in/punched in at 11:54 a.m.), so let us go in search of summer like things to do. But first …
The naysayers have a way of twisting the good news of summer: It may be the start of summer, but the days start getting shorter now. Technically, yes. But only incrementally. And, in fact, official sunset continues to extend until a week from today: Tonight, official sunset is at 8:34:06 p.m., on June 28 it won’t set until 8:45:50 p.m.! (You know what that also means: if actual daylight begins to decrease, but the sun is staying up longer, then the difference must be absorbed by sunrise! The sun is getting up later — more time to sleep in.) Through July 30, the sun won’t set before 8:20, and it’s still up past 8 well into mid-August. read more
We got rained out last weekend: no “Scenes from the Weekend Past” to share.
It’s going to feel like fall this weekend! When you wake up, the temperature will likely be in the 50s; on Saturday, at least, it won’t get out of the mid-70s. A return to fall the weekend before summer official starts — can’t beat that!
Let’s see what fall-appropriate things are going on this weekend:
Mountain Nature Hike, Saturday, 5 p.m., Mount Jefferson Nature Hike, West Jefferson. You might need a fleece for this late afternoon mountain hike, in which a ranger will talk about Mount Jefferson’s unusual flora. The hike is 1.2 miles and starts from the picnic area. “Sturdy shoe” highly recommended. (This late-day hike pairs well on a cool June day with a mid-afternoon hike at nearby Elk Knob State Park, just down the road in Todd. The 2-mile Summit Trail weaves through a lush mountain forest and offers stellar views, including Mount Jefferson, from the 5,520-foot summit.) Learn more about the Mount Jefferson Nature Hike here.read more
