Coast

Can you tell an oak from a hickory, a beech from a boxelder? Maybe in summer, when a full canopy displays each tree’s distinctively shaped, tell-tale leaves. But in winter, when the leaves have vacated, identifying the dendrologic denizens of the forest can be more challenging.

All the more reason to take a break from the holidays and spend an hour on Saturday’s Winter Tree ID hike sponsored by Lake Waccamaw State Park in Lake Waccamaw. Says the park website: “Join a park ranger in using clues to identify trees by unique crown shape, fruit and/or their leftover containers, persistent leaves, live twigs and growth habit.” Conducted by a state park ranger but held at the Depot Museum in Lake Waccamaw (where you should plan to spend a little extra time learning about the human history of the area).

Sounds like a good investment of an hour, with takeaway benefits for subsequent visits to the woods.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 13, 2 p.m., Depot Museum, Lake Waccamaw. For more info: 910.646.1992

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 57.

Piedmont

Wednesday night, on a GetHiking! Triangle hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along Falls Lake, we paused in a clearing, flipped off our headlamps and took in a surprisingly vivid night sky. Hiker Ron mentioned a NASA website where you can plug in your location and will give you the best opportunities for viewing the International Space Station. I mentioned that it appeared we had just missed the Geminid meteor shower.

Turns out I was wrong. Turns out the annual viewing of this night sky spectacular is his Saturday. And it turns out that you can catch this year’s show at Medoc Mountain State Park between Louisburg and Roanoke Rapids. It’s a great spot to catch the show: the huge grass field at the park’s entrance is about as removed from light pollution as you can get in North Carolina. (A viewing is also scheduled, from 8-10 p.m., at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in the Triangle.)

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 13, 5:30 p.m., Medoc Mountain State Park, Hollister. More info: 252.586.6588.

Saturday evening forecast: Clear, with temperatures in the upper 40s.

Mountains

Historically, the Triple Crown Bouldering Series has had three fall events: in Boone; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and, Steele, Ala. This year, they’ve added a fourth, at Rumbling Bald in the Hickory Nut Gorge area near Lake Lure.

The series draws top boulderers — climbers without ropes, but only going about 15 feet off the ground (they fall, no biggie, especially since they land on a crash pad).  Between 600 and 1,000 competitors are expected this year.

We suggest this spectator event primarily because, with the new year approaching, many of us are in search of new pursuits, new ways to push ourselves. New ways to live. Check these competitors out. We promise they’ll inspire.

Logistics: Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Lake Lure. Go here for details.

Saturday forecast: Sunny skies, high of 59 (perfect weather for climbing, btw).

* * *

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

The post This weekend: Trees, stars, rocks appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Let March know you’ve been waiting for it with a big outdoor welcome this weekend. Paddle the month in at the coast, greet it from on high in the Piedmont, or acknowledge its arrival with a classic hike on the Appalachian Trail near Hot Springs.

Coast

In winter, our adventures tend to be on foot. As the weather warms, though, we become more open to other modes of transport. Canoes, for instance.

Canoeing is the best way to explore Lake Waccamaw State Park in the coastal plain, and it’s the exploration tool of choice for Saturday’s “Big Creek Adventure.” You’ll start on this ranger-led paddle on Big Creek, then wind up in Lake Waccamaw, a Carolina bay known for its critters found nowhere else on the planet. Likely the most intriguing hour and a half you’ll spend for a time to come.

Logistics: Saturday, March 1, 2 p.m. Free, but preregistration required, by calling 910.646.4748. More about Lake Waccamaw, here.

Saturday forecast: High of 59, chance of rain.

Piedmont

Imagine it’s a thousand years ago, you’re trying to get from Point A in what is now north central North Carolina to Point B. You stop and ask directions; inevitably, as part of the reply would be a reference to “Jomeokee.” When you get to Jomeokee, hang a left … If you get to Jomeokee, you know you’ve gone too far … It’s just a stone’s throw from Jomeokee.

What is this once universal traffic signal known as Jomeokee? It’s what we now also call the Big Pinnacle atop Pilot Mountain, and it’s the focus of Saturday’s hike at Pilot Mountain State Park. The Jomeokee Trail is less than a mile in length, rimming the base of the 200-foot pinnacle that tops off the mountain. Come, hike and learn more about Jomeokee’s human history and about the role it plays in the mountain’s ecology.

Logistics: Saturday, 1 p.m., Pilot Mountain State Park, Mount Pilot. More info on the hike:  336.325.2355. More info on the park, here.

Saturday forecast: High of 52, partly cloudy.

Mountains

Sunday’s hike by the Carolina Mountain Club is a personal favorite: the 11.7-mile loop just outside of Hot Springs that takes the Round Top Ridge Trail up to Rich Mountain, then returns via the Appalachian Trail. The ascent is through a mature hardwood forest up to the lookout tower (open) atop Rich Mountain. Then, return via the AT through Tanyard Gap and Lover’s Leap Ridge, with especially swell views of the French Broad River and Hot Springs from the Lover’s Leap overlook. 11.7 miles of great hiking.

Logistics: Sunday, March 2, 8 a.m. (carpool meetup from Asheville). To sign up: Tish Desjardin at 828-380-1452, desraylet@aol.com. For more info on the hike, go here,  or if you have a copy of “Backpacking North Carolina,” it’s Trip No. 26.

Sunday’s forecast: High of 66, partly sunny.

* * *

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

The post This weekend: All hail March! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

The second weekend of summer is perfect for paddling a Carolina Bay, for a taking a high-country hike and for running five races in one.

Coast

Summer is ideal for paddling. But it you don’t have your own canoe or kayak, a leisurely day on the water takes on potential hassles. First, you have to find a place to rent a boat (which we’ve made easy with this handy list). Then you have to get the boat to decent place to paddle (again, we’ve got help with that). And you have to watch the clock to make sure you get the boat back on time (sorry, no help there).

Unless, of course, you take advantage of one of the numerous free boating programs offered throughout the state. Saturday’s Half-Day Paddle at Lake Waccamaw State Park, for instance. Lake Waccamaw is a Carolina Bay, one of numerous such lakes formed under yet-to-be-understood circumstances, mostly in the Southeast. While most bays are small, Waccamaw covers more than 9,000 acres and has 14 miles of shoreline, ensuring a full half-day’s worth of paddling.

Logistics: Saturday, June 19, 9 a.m. Call 910.646.4748 to pre-register and for more info. Check out the park here.

Saturday forecast: High of 90, chance of thunderstorms.

Piedmont

How many times have you run a 5K or a 10K, finished, and thought, “Dang, I feel like running some more”? Wouldn’t it be great if there was a race that actually was two races? Or three? Or five?

Five!? Madness, you say? Actually, it’s called the Ultimate Runner and it’s this Saturday at Hanes Park Track in Winston-Salem. You start by running a mile. Then you run a 400-meter race, then 800 meters, then 100 meters and finally, a 5K. We’re guessing that after the 5K you’re appetite for running will be sated. At least for the day.

Logistics: Saturday, June 29, 4:30 p.m. $50. More info here or by calling 336.782.0957

Saturday forecast: High of 88, mostly cloudy.

Mountains

Our favorite place to be in summer is the mountains on a cool, cloudy day. It’s the ultimate escape from summer’s oppressive weather, and it’s what’s in the forecast this Sunday at Elk Knob State Park near Todd (between Jefferson and Boone). And Elk Knob on Sunday is the site of a nature hike to the park’s mile-high summit.

The flora here is unlike what you’ll find throughout much of the Southern Appalachians: the mountain’s rich, amphibolite soils coupled with the altitude support flora more common to northern hardwood forests. A nice escape.

Logistics: Sunday, June 30, 2 p.m. More info by calling 828.297.7261. For more info on the park, go here.

Sunday forecast: High of 75, 40 percent chance of rain.

* * *

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

The post This weekend: Paddle, hike, RunRunRunRunRun appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

With high temperatures expected to soar into the mid-70s in parts of North Carolina this weekend, you have no excuse for not getting into the wild, be it learning to reconnoiter at the coast, scoping birds in the Piedmont or hiking the Blue Ridge escarpment.

Coast

I may have recommended an orienteering class recently; I do so again for good reason: it’s always good to know where you are. Sunday at Lake Waccamaw State Park, equipped with compass and map, a ranger will give coordinates and help you figure out how to get from Point A to Point C via Point B. Again, a good skill to have, and Lake Waccamaw, home of a rare Carolina bay, is a scenic venue for learning new skills.

Logistics: Sunday, Jan. 13, 2 p.m. More info, call 910.646.4748.

Weekend forecast: High of 75, 20 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

One of the joys of being outdoors is checking out the bird world, a world, locally, that expands come winter to include a variety of seasonal visitors from the north. The best place to check out this overwintering waterfowl is on water, big water especially. And one of the best spots in the Piedmont for winter waterfowl birding is Lake Townsend north of Greensboro. It’s a good habitat and it’s also the site of weekly birding expeditions led by the Piedmont Bird Club — on pontoon boats.

Logistics: Saturday, Jan. 12, 1:30 p.m. $4 fee. Binoculars are available. Call 336.373.3741 to reserve a spot and for more info.

Saturday forecast: High of 71, 20 percent chance of rain.

Mountains

One of our favorite hikes is Saturday’s destination of the Carolina Berg Wanderers. Doughton Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway has more than 30 miles of trail. Most folks are familiar with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail stretch that runs along the parkway and along the park’s ridgeline. A nice stretch of Saturday’s hike takes in the MST. But the CBWs will also be hiking two trails on the face of the Blue Ridge Escarpment, one mellow (Cedar Ridge), one not so (Bluff Ridge Primitive Trail). Together, it’s a 13-mile loop with stellar views up top and great Southern Appalachian forest below. A jolly good choice by the Carolina Berg Wanderers, especially for a January afternoon.

Logistics: Saturday, Jan. 12, 7:30 a.m. carpool meetup. More info and sign-up info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 63, intermingled clouds and sunshine.

* * *

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.

U.S. National Wildlife Refuges
Rundown, by month, of regular activities at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service refuges in North Carolina.

* * *

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

GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post This weekend: Get out and enjoy the springlike weather appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Monday, I ran a list of the 23 National Trails Day events in North Carolina registered with the American Hiking Society, which has spearheaded the event since its inception in 1993. There are nine events in the mountains, 13 in the Piedmont, one at the coast. To peruse that list, go here.

I’ve since learned of five more events:

Piedmont

National Trails Workday: Crowders Mountain State Park
What: Workday: “wear hiking or work appropriate footwear and clothes, and bring gloves if you have them. We will provide tools, drinking water, and snacks.”
When: June 5, 9 a.m.-noon. (Note that this event is on Sunday, June 5, not Saturday, June 4).
Where: Crowders Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain (west of Charlotte).
More info here.

National Trails Day at Briar Chapel
What: Guided mountain bike ride, lunch (with beer), guided hikes.
When: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.(ish)
Where: Trail network at the Briar Chapel development south of Chapel Hill.
More info here.

National Trails Day at Hanging Rock State Park
What: Trail improvements and liter cleanup. Bring: work clothes, gloves, boots, bag lunch, water, snacks.
When: 9 a.m. ‘til you’re done.
Where: Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury.
More info here.

Mountains

Trails Workday
What: Help Elk Knob State Natural Area (pictured above) punch through its trail to the top (and enjoy great views in the process).
When: 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Where: Elk Knob State Natural Area, Todd.
More info here.

Coast

Nature Journal Hike: Celebrate National Trails Day
What: Lake Waccamaw State Park’s monthly journal hike, with a National Trails Day twist.
When: 10-11 a.m.
Where: Lake Waccamaw State Park, Lake Waccamaw.
More info here.

As for me, I’ll be at one of the two Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail events scheduled in the Triangle: either in Eno River State Park or along Falls Lake (probably come down to a coin flip). If you see a guy in a bright yellow shirt sweating profusely, do not say, “Hey, pops! You gonna make it?” A simple “Hello-how’s-it-going?” will suffice.

A reminder, too, that Saturday is also National Land Trust Day. After sweating over your favorite trail, stop by your local Great Outdoor Provision Co. store, treat yourself to that cool new piece of gear you’ve been drooling over and GOPC will donate 10 percent of the price of your purchase to: the Catawba Lands Conservancy, Triangle Land Conservancy, North Carolina Coastal Land Trust and the Piedmont Land Conservancy. How much each one gets depends on  which one you vote for in their online voting. Check it out here.

Enjoy Saturday on the trail.

The post Spend Saturday with a favorite trail appeared first on GetGoing NC!.