Don’t let the weather rain on your weekend adventure parade. Grab a rain jacket (or a big trash bag) and venture out for some good, wet, fun! Such as:

Occoneechee Geology Hike, Saturday, 2 p.m., Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area, Hillsborough. One of the reasons we like this hike for this weekend is that the trail is generally high up and less susceptible to standing water (except for portions along the Eno River, which will be under water). Quarrying operations from years ago leave the north face of the mountain exposed, making it ideal for a geological dissection. Also: the hike is lead by a geologist. About 1.5 miles of moderately difficult hiking. Free, but registration required, by calling 919.383.1686. More info here.

Historical Iron Ore Hike, Saturday, 2 p.m., Haw River State Park, Iron Ore Belt Access, Greensboro. Another trail that does a good job of shedding water is the Great Blue Heron Trail at HRSP, where this 1.5-mile hike exploring iron ore pits dating back to the 1700s will occur. Learn more by calling 336.342.6163 or go here.

Pyxie-Moss Hike, Sunday, 3 p.m., Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Southern Pines. The first flower of spring to bloom at Weymouth Woods is the Sandhills Pyxie-moss; what makes this search for the first signs of spring even more intriguing is that the flower is only found in a handful of counties in the Carolinas. More info here, or by calling 910.692.2167.

As always, you can find more opportunities this weekend here:

• North Carolina State Parks have a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Centers has an extensive calendar of what’s happening at its affiliates; check it out here.
• You can also find more adventures right here, at GetGoingNC.com

Live the video

Today’s video was shot during last weekend’s GetBackpacking! trip on the Appalachian Trail between Max Patch and Hot Springs. You can check out our upcoming trips for the spring — including the AT from Carver’s Gap to US 19E, Wilson Creek, South Mountains State Park, Linville Gorge, and the Uwharrie Mountains — at GetHiking! Triangle. If you’re not a backpacker but would like to be, our next GetBackpacking! Intro to Backpacking class starts in early April. Learn more here.

The post GetOut! Your Nudge for Weekend Adventure appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

There is still good fall color to be had, and based on the forecast, it’s to be had against a backdrop of crisp baby blue skies. That said, some thoughts on the weekend ahead.

• Fall Foliage Hike, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Haw River State Park, Browns Summit. What we said above about the forecast should make the colors pop even more. Learn more here.
• Fall Tree ID Hike, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. When was the last time you slow down enough on the trail to learn a thing? Can’t recall? Then this could be the most informative half mile you’ll come across this year. Learn more here.
• Weymouth Goes to the Dogs!, Sunday, 3 p.m., Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Southern Pines. Learn more here.

As always, you can find more opportunities this weekend here:

• North Carolina State Parks have a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Centers has an extensive calendar of what’s happening at its affiliates; check it out here.
• You can also find more adventures right here, at GetGoingNC.com.

Learn more about where we spent last weekend, featured in the video, by visiting Umstead State Park and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake.

The post GetOut! Your Friday Nudge for Weekend Adventure appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

What to do on the last weekend of July? We have a thought or two …

Geology of Stone Mountain, Saturday, 9 a.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. No doubt you’ve looked at that strange forehead protruding from the ground, the one from which Stone Mountain gets its name, and wondered, How did that happen? Here, at this one hour program at the Hutchinson Homestead, is your chance to find out. And if you’re left at the end yearning for more, eager to know all about Stone Mountain, then stick around until 2 p.m. for “All About Stone Mountain.” (You can do some hiking in between to pass the time.) For more info on both programs and to register, go here.

Night Hike Along the Great Blue Heron Trail, Saturday, 8 p.m., Haw River State Park Iron Ore Belt Access, Greensboro. We love a night hike, and we especially love one where we’re not compelled to watch our every footstep to avoid rocks and roots in the trail. On the smooth-as-sandstone 3.8-mile Great Blue Heron Trail you’ll be able to focus on the wonder of the night. Bring a flashlight/headlamp with red or blue filter, bring bug spray and water. For more info and to register, go here.

Guided Hike: Balsam Nature Trail, Sunday, 11 a.m., Mount Mitchell State Park. Visiting Mount Mitchell, which tops out at 6,684 feet, is like visiting another world — so many unusual things to see at that elevation. Sunday, let a ranger explain what it is your seeing and why it’s there on this guided hike on the Balsam Trail. More info and register here.

You can find more opportunities this weekend here:

• North Carolina State Parks have a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Centers has an extensive calendar of what’s happening at its affiliates; check it out here.
• You can also find more adventures right here, at GetGoingNC.com.

And learn more about where we spent this past week, featured in the video, by visiting the web sites for Umstead State Park and Eno River State Park.

The post GetOut! Your Friday Nudge for Weekend Adventure appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Highs in the low 80s, sunny skies. Sounds like a great weekend for a hike, no? And as luck would have it, this weekend is the kick off for Hike NC, a statewide hiking initiative by BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina, North Carolina State Parks, GetGoingNC and others. We’ll talk more about Hike NC in the coming days, but in a nutshell, it’s an effort to expose more North Carolinians to their state’s remarkable hiking resource, a resource they can frequently find right in their own backyard. We’ve got more than 60 hikes scheduled statewide over the next two months; today, we highlight the three that launch the program this weekend.

Coast | Coastal Plain

Saturday, 10 a.m., Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Kure Beach. Basin Trail, 2.2 miles. A hike tailor made for kids (of the older variety as well). Learn the ecology of a barrier island on this easy, flat hike. Also learn the history of the Fort Fisher hermit, who for several years made his home in a World War II concrete bunker midway along the trail.

Details here.

Saturday, 10 a.m., Jones Lake State Park, Elizabethtown. Roughly a half million Carolina bays dot the Southeastern United States; learn the story of this one on a hike of the mile-long Cedar Loop lead by Park Ranger Garrett German.

Details here

Piedmont

Saturday, 1 p.m., Haw River State Park, Iron Ore Belt Access, Great Blue Heron Trail. 3.8 miles. Easy/moderate. The terrain is rolling but the trail is not on this loop that manages to stay level-headed on its way around a wetland. There’s a great history to this new addition to the North Carolina State Parks system, one you’ll learn about from Hike Leader and Park Superintendent Kelley King.

Details here

Mountains

Hike NC doesn’t have a hike scheduled in the mountains on this first weekend, but that’s OK because Buncombe County Recreation Services and the Blue Ridge Parkway do. It’s a good one: a 1.4-mile hike out of the Craggy Gardens Visitor Center where you’re very likely to see the first legit signs of fall. “The hike along the Craggy Pinnacle Trail begins with a moderate uphill climb to the summit at Craggy Gardens to an elevation of 5,892 feet,” say the sponsors, “so bring a jacket and dress in layers. The hike is for all ages.”

Details here

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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed below.

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The post This weekend: Go Hike NC appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

By Emily Reeves, intern

Coast: Save the Frogs

April 30 — Saturday — is International Save the Frogs Day; Cliffs of The Neuse State Park near Goldsboro promises a hopping good celebration in observance. Participants will be able to take part in various activities that give you the chance to learn about the challenges frogs face.

After a presentation in the Visitor Center, there will be a hike in search of frogs residing in the park.

Saturday forecast: High of 79, low of 61, mostly cloudy.

Vital Stats: Save the Frogs Day, Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Saturday, 2 p.m., meet at the Visitor Center. Contact cliffs.neuse@ncparks.gov, call 919.778.6234, or go here for more information.

Looking ahead: Fitness Hike at Goose Creek State Park, Washington, Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m, bring a way to track your steps on a brisk-paced 5-mile hike. More information here.

Piedmont: Spring wildflowers

I have a friend who says late April is the perfect time of year to see flowers. Wildflowers are in peak bloom, their perky color accentuated by the grass and trees, which are the greenest of greens.

Saturday, a Haw River State Park ranger leads a wildflower hike on the new Great Blue Heron Trail in its just-opened Iron Ore Belt Access area. The trail runs near wetlands, through meadows and beneath mature hardwoods; it’s terrain ideal for wildflower viewing and perhaps glimpsing a wood duck, or if you’re lucky, the day’s international guest of honor (see Coast entry, above), the frog.

Saturday forecast: High of 74, low of 60. The day will be cloudy, but don’t forget sunblock!

Vital Stats: Wildflower Walk, Haw River State Park, Browns Summit, Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. Contact haw.river@ncparks.gov, call 336.342.616, or go here for more information.

Looking ahead: Salamander Search at Pilot Mountain State Park, Saturday May 7 10am -12pm, learn about the lifestyle of a salamander then hike to explore and search for some in their habitats. More info here.

Mountains: 2016 Camp Cedar Trail Run

Saturday, Asheville is hosting the inaugural Camp Cedar Cliff Trail Run on 350 acres of mountain forest that is part of The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove. There will be a 5K, an 8K, and a Kids Fun Run. Proceeds benefit the camp. After the runs, participants will be able to enjoy camp activities, food, and fun, while they wait for the award ceremony and raffle drawing.

Saturday forecast: High of 79, low of 60, chance for afternoon thunderstorms.

Vital Stats: 2016 Camp Cedar Trail Run, Camp Cedar Cliff, Asheville, Saturday, 8 a.m; $25 for the 5K, $30 for the 8K. Contact 828.450.3331, or find more information, including trail elevations and maps here.

Looking ahead: Life of a Park Ranger, Gorges State Park, Friday, May 13, 5:30 p.m., learn about the many different hats a park ranger wears while enjoying some S’more’s over an open fire. More info here.

The post Your weekend: Frogs, flowers, fleet feet appeared first on GetGoing NC!.