1. Raven Rock State Park
Lillington
We’ll defer to the park’s website on this one: “One of the best reasons to visit Raven Rock is the exceptional beauty of its wildflowers. A variety of species reveal magnificent blossoms in early spring. Look over patches of Dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, saxifrage and trailing arbutus. Gaze down paths lined with Solomon’s seal, bellwort and spring beauty, or let your eyes wander through a haze of greens and yellows as leaves break their winter dormancy and begin to color the forest.”
Best bets: Campbell Creek and Little Creek trails.
More info here.

2. Eno River
Durham and Orange counties
So prolific are the wildflowers along the Eno River that the Eno River Association annually devotes a weekly series of hikes to them, each hike targeted to the area where blooms are most likely to be occurring. (This week’s destination: the Riverwalk area of downtown Hillsborough.) The hepatica and trout lily have passed, but you can still catch Dutchman’s breeches and yellow lady slippers this month, and rhododendron and mountain laurel in May, among others.
Best Bets: Consult the Eno River Association Spring Hike Series (below) for current blooms.
More info here.

3. Grandfather Mountain State Park
Linville
It’s no surprise that one of the most diverse biopspheres in the world would have a wide array of wildflowers. Massive Grandfather Mountain is conducting multiple spring wildflower hikes each week, at different locations on the mountain. A good opportunity to see wildflowers common to higher elevations and lower in one spot. Check the site listed below for an idea of where you’ll find the most flowering action.
Best Bets: Profile Trail on the mountain’s northwest flank.
More info here.

4. South Mountains State Park
Connelly Springs
South Mountains is both surprisingly close to the Triad and Charlotte and, of equal surprise, a quiet place to visit. Considering the park has more than 18,400 acres (making it North Carolina’s biggest state park), that’s lots of room to roam unobstructed. Not that you need to hike into the park’s interior for spring color: the wood anemone pictured were within a mile of the main parking area. But it’s great to know you have that option.
Best Bet: Jacobs Fork Trail
More info here.

5. Jockey’s Ridge State Park
Nags Head
Think of Jockey’s Ridge and you think of sand dunes — big sand dunes, the biggest along the East Coast! But still, big mounds of sand — not festive flowers. But Jockey’s Ridge isn’t entirely about sand; in fact, the barrier island preserve is ideal for spotting a range of coastal wildflowers, from the yellows of dune camphorweed and smooth bur-marigold to the fire-wheel blanket-flower and trumpet honeysuckle.
Best Bet: Soundside Nature Trail
More info here.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post Five spring wildflower hikes appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

This sounds pretty awesome. Head out to Jockey’s Ridge on Saturday, hike, cavort in the sand, explore. Then, at 4 p.m. get out your kite, get out those extra Christmas lights and that super long extension cord, and participate in Kitty Hawk Kites’ Kites with Lights celebration. Watch folks experienced in doing this kind of thing — including someone with a 19-foot delta kite — light up the night in zig-zag fashion. Extra enticement: Free hot cider, free cookies.

Logistics: Saturday, Nov. 24, 4-6 p.m. Free. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Daytime high of 55 dropping to 34 overnight. No chance of rain.

Piedmont

The Sunday after Thanksgiving rolls around and you’re rolling around with it. Day four of a nutritional free-fall and what do you have to show for it? A lot, unfortunately. Mitigate the damage with a one-hour ranger-led hike at Lake Norman State Park. A ranger takes you on a waddle on the Alder Trail, getting your mind off the fact that you are waddling by telling you about the park, its history, its wildlife.

Logistics: Sunday, Nov. 25, 2 p.m. at Lake Norman State Park. Free, but space is limited and preregistration is required, by calling 704.528.6350.

Sunday forecast: High of 54, clear.

Mountains

“The Elusive Mink” earns a spot on our weekly highlight reel simply for its “No kidding?” factor. Mink? in North Carolina? Apparently. In this case at Elk Knob State Park, where they’ll be discussing the the critter known for its silken fur Sunday from 2-3 p.m. So, come for the program then hike around Elk Knob and look for signs of — cue theme to Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” — The Elusive Mink.

Logistics: Sunday, Nov. 25, 2-3 p.m., Elk Knob State Park, 5564 Meat Camp Road (another reason to endorse the event — what a great address). More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 50, 0 percent chance of rain.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

The post This weekend: Lit kites, loaded hikers, wily weasel appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Tradition rules at the coast (a last beach blast of the summer) and in the mountains (kicking off the fall hiking season). Meanwhile, somewhere in between a paddle trip beckons.

Coast

Labor Day weekend, you’re at the coast, you’re looking for something different to do, something to relieve the tedium of frolicking in the surf. Tedium? OK, perhaps that’s overstating. But certainly a little relief from the beach is a good thing. And you and the kids can find it at 3 p.m. Monday at Jockey’s Ridge State Park, when you’ll join a park ranger for a romp over the dunes in search of Tracks in the Sand. Yes, search for the footprints of the various critters who call the park home, then make a plaster cast to take home as a souvenir. Beats a hermit crab nightlight from Wings.

Logistics: 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 3, at the Visitor Center at Jockey’s Ridge State Park. Lasts one hour. Free, but pre-registration is required, by calling 252.441.2588.

Monday forecast: High of 82, overcast.

Piedmont

Labor Day weekend has long been associated with water. It’s the last weekend of operation for most public pools, it’s the last big hurrah of the summer for hitting the coast. And, it’s a great time to go paddling, on the millpond at Historic Yates Mill County Park in Raleigh, for instance.

Saturday, come out for basic instruction and a paddle on the pond. Canoes, paddles and life jackets provided, fee is $10 per boat, you must be at least 6 years old.

Logistics: $10, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m., pre-registration required, by calling 919.856.6675.

Saturday forecast: High of 90, 20 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

Labor Day weekend in the mountains, on the other hand, to me symbolizes the start of the fall hiking season. And who better to celebrate with than the venerable Carolina Mountain Club, which will be hiking in the Black Mountains on Sunday. And not your typical hike up to Mount Mitchell or to any of the peaks fellow 6,000-foot summits along the Black Mountain Crest Trail. Rather, they’ll be hiking in the opposite direction, from the Black Mountain Campground south up to Green Knob. A 2,490-foot vertical gain, a 7-mile out-and-back hike.

Logistics: Sunday, Sept. 2 at 8:30 a.m. (that’s the meeting time; contact hike leader Chris Washburn — 828.292.1791, cwashburn@caldwell-mem.org — for specifics and to sign up.

Sunday forecast: High of 81, 50 percent chance of rain.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

* * *

Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too
 

The post This weekend: A Labor of fun appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

The first summerlike weather of the year has descended, but don’t let that keep you cooped up this weekend. Beat the heat with a coastal retreat, by doing the vampire thing and coming out at night, or hitting the high — particularly high — country.

Coast

I was at Jockey’s Ridge State Park three weeks back for the end of Diane Van Deren’s record-setting MST Endurance Run and was reminded again that there’s more to Jockey’s Ridge than just 100-foot sand dunes to fly a kite — or yourself — off of. Like the estuary on the park’s sound side and a rare maritime forest as rich in flora and fauna as the dunes are devoid. Hence, this week’s recommendation of Saturday’s Eco Hike at 9 a.m.

“Learn about the plant and animal life in the park and how these ecosystems work together in a balance, with a special focus on the estuarine environment,” states a promo from the park. The “moderate to strenuous” (those dunes can be calf-burners) hike should take about an hour. Bring walking shoes, sunscreen, and water.

Logistics: Saturday, 9 a.m., meet at the park visitor center (the hike ends on a sound beach; from there, feel free to “strike out and explore the park” on your own. Free, but pre-registration is required, by calling 252.441.2588.

Saturday forecast: High of 82, 30 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

Our first run of hot, steamy summertime weather doesn’t exactly make you want to get out and explore. Unless you’re getting out to explore in the cool(er) of the evening. Say, to check out the night sky.

Saturday, from 9-11 p.m. join the staff of the Morehead Planetarium at Jordan Lake for a two-hour viewing of planets, nebulae, star clusters and, of course, the Moon when available,” as well as to discuss constellation myths and legends. The Morehead folks bring their sophisticated telescopes as well as their knowledge for your viewing pleasure.

Logistics: Meets at 9 p.m. at the Ebenezer Church Recreation Area. Cloudy skies can scuttle this event; check with the planetarium Web site (look under “news”) or call them at 919.962.1236 on Saturday to make sure the event is a go.

Saturday forecast: Daytime high of 90 with afternoon thunderstorms possible.

Mountains

This weekend is The Great American Backyard Campout, which means it’s the one time of year you can camp at Elk Knob State Park. Elk Knob is one of the few tracts of public land in the northern section of the North Carolina mountains; the flora here is different than what you typically find to the south in the Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. According to the park Web site, “The summit of Elk Knob contains an excellent example of a northern hardwood forest … typically found above 4,000 feet in elevation, consists primarily of sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech, and yellow buckeye. Trees growing on the northern slopes and on the summit of Elk Knob are gnarled and stunted by the harsh weather conditions.” A unique outpost whose elevation offers respite from the heat below. The event is aimed at families and newcomers to camping.

Logistics: Begins at 3 p.m. Saturday. Free, but registration is required by calling 828.297.7261, where you can also find additional information.

Weekend forecast: High of 77, low of 55 (in nearby and lower Todd), 20 percent chance of rain.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

* * *
Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too
 

The post This weekend: Don’t retreat, get out and beat the heat appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Can a camera lead to fitness? Is paddling in winter as cool (not cold) as it sounds?  And whitewater racing? Really?

Coast

Sometimes all you need to spur you on to an active lifestyle is the right motivation, a motivation that, perhaps, hasn’t yet occurred to you.

Like a camera.

Think about it. You have a camera, you want new and unusual subjects to shoot. The outdoors is replete with new and unusual subjects. You start out with the new and unusual close to home. Soon you’re seeking out the new and unusual farther afield. Before you know it you’re doing 20 miles in the woods, being dragged around by your camera in search of the newer and more unusual.

First, though, you need to know how to use the camera. (Technically, first you need a camera.) Learn the basics of nature photography Saturday from 3-6 p.m. at a Nature Photography Workshop at scenic Jockey’s Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks. Says the sponsoring  Outer Banks Center for Wildlife Education, come “learn about exposure, composition, and special techniques to improve your nature photography. Bring your camera gear and explore the outdoors of Jockey’s Ridge State Park in search of photographic opportunities.” And it’s the best kind of learning — free.

Logistics: The course is free, but preregistration is required, by calling 252.453.0221, ext. 1. For information on Jockey’s Ridge, go here. For information on the Outer Banks Wildlife Education Center, go here.

Weekend forecast: Saturday calls for partly cloudy skies (good for lighting) and a high of 50.

Piedmont

I have trouble passing on a winter canoe trip, in part because they’re hard to find, in part because winter is such a great time to be on the water. The world around you is stark, exposed and especially good for spotting critters that might go unnoticed under cover of summer undergrowth.

That’s the thought behind Saturday’s Canoe Nature Trip at Lake Norman State Park in Statesville. Join a ranger in search of birds, beavers and assorted other lake and lakeside wildlife. All pertinent paddling equipment is provided, you need to bring clothes appropriate to the weather, plus towels and extra clothes appropriate to the weather, “just in case.”

Logistics: The trip is free, but preregistration is required, by calling the park office at 704-528-6350. Also: each boat must have someone age 16 or older. For more on Lake Norman State Park, go here.

Weekend forecast: Saturday is looking cool (high of 50) but clear.

Mountains

Motivation, Part II: To pick up from our camera speech (see “Coast”), motivation can also come from watching others. Say, for instance, you’re a novice whitewater paddler. You’re comfortable on Class II water, successfully paddled Class III, though you wouldn’t go so far as to proclaim  comfort on these waters. Maybe what you need to get you over the hump is to watch skilled paddlers handle more challenging waters. Or maybe you already are skilled and are looking for a new challenge. This weekend’s 2012 Glacier Breaker Slalom and Wildwater Races at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, for instance.

There’ll be racing in the K-1, K-1W, C-1 and C-2 categories, racing is all in the vicinity of the NOC. For spectating purposes, racing begins at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning, 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

Logistics: $20 to race per class ($5 for each additional class), USACK membership required (one-day memberships available for $10). Registration is from 8:30-9:30 a.m. both days. For more details, visit the Nantahala Racing Club Web site here.

Weekend forecast: Cool and 45 Saturday, 54 on Sunday, no rain foreseen.

* * *

Those are GGNC’s thoughts for an active weekend. Find out other ways you can get out this weekend by browsing our super calendar, a collection of events calendars from throughout the state, below.

Coast

CapeFearCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar for the Cape Fear/Wilmington/southern N.C. coast searchable by date and event name.

Coastal Guide
Comprehensive calendar including nature programs from a variety of costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs. Covers the entire coast.

Crystal Cost Tourism Authority
Comprehensive calendar focusing on the Crystal Coast. Good source for programs offered by N.C. Coastal Federation, Cape Lookout National Park, N.C. National Estuarine Research Reserve and other costal conservation and research agencies that offer nature programs.

NCCoast.com
Comprehensive calendar including programs for the Outer Banks and Crystal Coast.

North Carolina Coast Host
Comprehensive calendar for the entire coast that lets you search for events by day, by region, by county, by city or by event (based on key word).

This Week Magazine
Primary focus is the Crystal Coast (North Carolina’s coastal midsection).

Mountains

Asheville Citizen-Times
From the main page, click on “Outdoors,” then WNC Outdoors calendar.

Blue Ridge Outdoors
Searchable calendar lets you extend your reach to events throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast (or you can just limit it to North Carolina). Also lets you search a boatload of categories, ranging from Hiking, Mountain Biking and Climbing to Trail Running, Triathlon and Road Walking.

The Mountain Times
From the main page, click on “Calendars,” then Main Events.

Todd’s Calendar

Piedmont

Charlotte

Charlotte Observer events calendar
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including Nature, Recreation, Recreation & Wellness, Running

Charlotte Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triad

GoTriad.com
Comprehensive calendar includes a Sports & Recreation category.

Piedmont Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Triangle

Triangle.com
Comprehensive calendar searchable by category, including: Birding, Boating, Cycling, Nature, Rec & Wellness, Recreation, Running, Swimming, Tennis, Yoga.

Carolina Parent
Comprehensive calendar concentrating on things the family can do together.

Statewide

Office of Environmental Education
One calendar for the numerous Environmental Education Centers statewide.

North Carolina State Parks
Lets you search for programs at the state’s parks, recreation areas and natural areas by location, by month, by topic. To reach the calendar from the home page, click on “Education,” then “Fun & Free Programs at Parks.”

National Forests in North Carolina
From the home page, click on Carolina Connections for news updates on the state’s four national forests as well as hints on recreational opportunities and a detailed rundown of recreation areas and the amenities at each.

* * *
Like us on Facebook and get health, fitness and outdoors news throughout the day.

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post Picture a great weekend appeared first on GetGoing NC!.