If you’re thinking, “How could August be any hotter than it’s already been?” you’d be justified. Meteorologists say this has been the hottest summer on record. I’d venture that it’s also been the muggiest. Of course, I’ll take 90-degree/80-percent humidity days over the 31 days of temperatures 110 or greater that Phoenix endured. 

So why would I look forward to an even hotter August? Because the arrival of the Dog Days means that while it may get even hotter, the end of summer is nigh. You know how March is, “in like a lion, out like a lamb? It’s similar with August: After the Dog Days of summer comes the reward of September and the promise of fall. September may enter with the final wag of the Dog Days, but it exits with daytime temperatures in the 70s and overnight lows dipping into the 40s. It is the gateway to the clear skies and cool temperatures of October. It also ushers in the peak of fall and the best hiking of the year. And it all begins with the end of the Dog Days of August. 

Even better, you don’t need to wait until the Dog Days are over for that first hint of encouragement. Shortly into the Dog Days you’ll stop following the weather forecast because it calls for relentless heat. (Also because it can never get the chances of rain right.) So one morning as you step out the door and prepare to step into a wall of muggy heat, you’ll be struck by a most unexpected thought:

Long sleeves?

For snuck into that string of 75-degree mornings will be one in the upper 50s. Why? There’s probably a meteorological explanation, but frankly I’ve long suspected that along about this time the universe knows we need a break, a sign of encouragement. A reason other than the calendar to push us through the Dog Days and into fall. 

Take heart. The end is near. A 50-something morning awaits, and before long the start of fall. Until then, embrace the Dog Days. Maybe even with a hike!

* Technically, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, the Dog Days of August, are mostly in July, from July 3 to Aug. 11. So why aren’t they the Dog Days of July? Let us not quibble nor get caught up in mythological and astronomical fact. The Dog Days of August have, in modern times, been associated with August. Let’s run with that.

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Three of our favorite Dog Days hikes

Why? For different reasons. All are guaranteed to work up a sweat, all offer a different type of reward. You can find more information in our “100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina.”

• 

  Moore’s Wall (4.2 miles) and Hanging Rock (1.6 miles) trails, Hanging Rock State Park (Hikes No. 38 and 39, “100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina”). Whether you take the short, 1.6-mile hike up to Hanging Rock or the more challenging 4.2-mile Moore’s Wall Loop Trail, your reward is the same: a most refreshing dip in the park’s 12-acre lake, which has a nice beach to boot. 

• White Pines Nature Preserve, 3.5 miles, Chatham County south of Pittsboro (Hike No. 44, “100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina”). One reason the Triangle Land Conservancy was attracted to this property was its unique white pine stand, a stand made possible by the cool, north-facing slopes where temperatures are often 10 degrees cooler than they are nearby. A cool hike in a montane landscape — in the Piedmont. 
• Buckquarter Creek/Holden Mill trails, 4.1 miles, Eno River State Park (Hike No. 14, “100 Classic Hikes in North Carolina”). This figure-8 loop spends half its time along the rocky Eno, half atop a ridgeline — the best of the summertime hiking world. Back at the trailhead, you can cool your feet in the river at Fews Ford.

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Despair not!

We’ve got some great adventures planned for August that will salvage the summer and then some. Put on your adventure face, it’s time to get out and play!

GetBackpacking! Linville Gorge Intermediate Skills, backpacking, Linville Gorge, Aug. 10-12. Three days in one of the wildest, most scenic spots in the East will salvage any summer. Our 22 miles in the gorge starts at Table Rock on the East Rim. The first night is spent  atop Shortoff Mountain, with sweeping sunset views of the gorge. On Saturday, we’ll descend to the Linville River for our first river crossing, then head up over rocky terrain interrupted only by behemoth downed trees (this being a designated Wilderness Area, the management strategy is to leave ’em where they lay). Sunday’s hike out includes more traipsing in the wilderness. It’s a backpacker’s most excellent adventure.

GetHiking! A Transylvania Waterfall Weekend, Transylvania County (and surrounding environs), camping/hiking, North Mills River Recreation Area, Aug. 17-19. Appropriately, for the dog days of August, we spend this mountain camping trip in appreciation of water. From a base camp at the North Mills River Campground, we’ll do three hikes: On Friday, we start at Gorges State Park with a hike along the Horsepasture River to Rainbow and Turtleback falls; on Saturday, we’ll explore the waterfalls—some of them swim-friendly!—at DuPont State Forest; and on Sunday, we’ll hike along—and in, at some points—North Mills River to the Hendersonville Reservoir. And, to make things even more carefree for you, we’ll provide all the food.

GetBackpacking! Overnight Sampler, backpacking, Eno River State Park, Aug. 18-19. Here’s your chance to have some fun and sow the seeds for a whole new life of adventure. If you’ve been curious about backpacking, this is your chance to see whether spending the day on the trail and the night in the backcountry is for you. It’s a minimal investment — not even 24 hours, and we provide the backpacking gear — that could alter the trajectory of your exploring life. We’ll get you fitted in a pack and get you packed, then hike in a couple miles, set up camp, cook and hang out. We spend the night in the great outdoors, then cook some more and hike out. Just enough of a taste to let you know if backpacking is for you; if you decide it is, you’ll get 25 percent off our more extensive GetBackpacking! Intro to Backpacking class in September.

GetHiking! Classic Escapes: Standing Indian Area, west of Franklin in the Nantahala National Forest, camping/hiking, Aug. 24-26. When it comes to summer adventure, nothing does it for us like days filled with challenging, scenic hiking, followed by lounging around camp and trading stories. That’s what this Classic Escape is all about: Saturday, we hike an 11-mile loop that includes a stretch on the Appalachian Trail and tops out on 5,498-foot Standing Indian Mountain, with a large view to the south and east of rolling ridges of rugged green. On Sunday we’ll fuel you with a pancake breakfast, then hike a shorter loop that includes the Appalachian Trail. In between, we’ll loll in the cool waters of Kimsey Creek, which runs through camp.  

Join us for a summer adventure to remember.

Happy trails,

Joe

More info

For details on the August adventures mentioned:

• GetBackpacking! Linville Gorge Intermediate Skills, go here.
• GetHiking! A Transylvania Waterfall Weekend, go here.
• GetBackpacking! Overnight Sampler, go here. Learn more about this class and our other GetBackpacking! programs here,
• GetHiking! Classic Escapes: Standing Indian Area, go here.

The post An August adventure (or four) to save your summer appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Rafting, for instance, which I would be doing if I were in Charlotte, where the mercury is supposed to hit 97 Sunday. Sounds like a good reason to visit the National Whitewater Center. Other thoughts (in addition to yesterday’s suggestions):

Dry weather bodes well for dry trails and mountain biking. Looking for a place to ride? Look here.

Hot weather is always conducive to paddling. If you’re not crazy about going far from home, check out the Great Outdoor Provision Co. list of places to paddle near seven North Carolina cities, here.

Don’t mind sweating on the trail? Our sister site, NCHikes.com, just posted its recommended hikes for August; check it out here. nchikes.com If you’re looking for a place close to home, we again refer you to the Great Outdoor Provision Co. site and a rundown of hikes we’ve compiled for them.

Too hot for you? Then check out your neighborhood climbing gym. Find it here.

And greenways are always cool, no matter what the temperature. Find greenways across the state here.

Get out and enjoy!

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Your weekend weather …

Asheville: High of 82 Saturday and 81 Sunday, 30 percent chance of rain both days.

Charlotte: High 90 Saturday, 97 Sunday, 30 percent chance of rain both days.

Winston-Salem: High of 86 Saturday, 88 Sunday, 20 percent chance of rain both days.

Chapel Hill: High of 88 Saturday, 90 Sunday, 20-30 percent chance of rain.

Wrightsville Beach: High of 88 Saturday, 91 Sunday, with a 20-30 percent chance of rain.

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