Sunny with highs in the 70s on Saturday, not quite as promising on Sunday, but we’ll see. Sounds like a decent weekend forecast for enjoying the outdoors in any number of ways.
Here are a few:
Spring Hike, Saturday, 1 p.m. Pettigrew State Park, Creswell. Pettigrew State Park, Pettigrew State Park … . We can hear the gears of confusion now. If you haven’t heard of Pettigrew, it’s likely because of its off-the-beaten-path location: it’s south of Creswell, which is west of Columbia, but east of Plymouth, which is just beyond Williamston, which — well, you get the idea. In short, it’s a bulb of land that’s between Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, and it’s got some of the oldest and biggest trees in the state, which you’ll be able to see on this flat-and-easy 5.6-mile hike. Learn more here.read more
This week, hikes and a paddle with something extra.
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Exploring is great. Exploring with a party thrown in, even greater!
That’s the situation Saturday at Lumber River State Park, site of the Lumber River Day Festival 2017. There’s exploring, in the form of free canoe rides on the Lumber River. And there’s fun stuff in the form of bluegrass music, pony rides, a casting contest (for kids), miniature train rides, a bouncy house, food (including ice cream) and more.
Logistics: Lumber River Day Festival 2017, Saturday, July 22, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Lumber River State Park, Princess Ann Access, Orrum. More info here.
Looking ahead: Ecology Hike, Aug. 5, Pettigrew State Park, Creswell. More info here.
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Exploring, with a party, II: Hanging Rock State Park: known for its great hiking, its incredible views, its waterfalls. Sounds like a great day in itself, no? How about throwing in a Farmers Market?
From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., local vendors and farmers will set up shop in the ample parking area outside the Visitor Center offering homegrown produce, crafts and more. Provided by Stokes Future, a Stokes County nonprofit “designed to help feed our own, employ our own, and prosper.”
As for the hiking: for a short hike with views, check out the Hanging Rock Trail; for a hike with views that escapes the crowds, check out the Moore’s Wall Trail; and for waterfalls, Indian Creek Trail gives you two in about the first half mile.
Logistics: Hanging Rock Farmer’s Market, Saturday, July 22, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Hanging Rock State Park, Danbury. More info here.
Looking ahead: Can’t make this Farmer’s Market at Hanging Rock? It repeats every Saturday at 11 a.m. Through Nov. 11. More info here.
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Exploring, with a party III: OK, a mini-party. A T-shirt-making party, actually. But with cool t-shirts designed with leaves and fabric paints. T-shirts and materials are free, while supplies last, atop Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. And, it’s for kids 6-13.
Sporting their new t-shirts, your kids will be in the mood for a hike. May we recommend looping together the Rhododendron Trail and Lost Province Trail, with a sidebar to Luther Rock. Some great views and intimate passages through northern hardwood forest.
Logistics: Trees And Tees’ Paint Your Own Tee-Shirt, Saturday, July 22, 2 p.m., Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. More info here.
Looking ahead: Moonlight Paddle, Friday, Aug. 4, New River State Park, West Jefferson. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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 coastal 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.
Mount Jefferson (photo courtesy Jason Barnette, Southeastern Traveler)
Another hot, summery weekend is on tap, which means you have two choices for outdoor fun: get wet or go high.
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Not that you need a reason to visit the Great Dismal Swamp, but if you did …
Saturday, join a ranger on an intimate Summer Paddle of the Dismal Swamp Canal at Dismal Swamp State Park north of Elizabeth City. Everything you need — boat, paddle, PFD, basic instruction — is provided. That last part — basic instruction — should be even more incentive for those of you who’ve never paddled.
About the “intimate” part: though the trip is free, it’s limited to eight boats. Pre-register — before it’s too late.
Logistics: Summer Paddle, Saturday, July 8, 10 a.m., Dismal Swamp State Park, South Mills. Free, but pre-registration is required because there are only eight boats, by calling 252.771.6593.
Looking ahead: Too short of notice? This summer paddle will be repeated next Saturday, July 15. More info here.
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Too hot for a hike? How about a boat race — using tiny boats you craft out of recycled materials?
First, at Saturday morning’s Build-a-Boat at Eno River State Park, you’ll craft a boat out of recycled materials — bring your own or they’ll have some on hand. Then, you’ll race against other boat builders in the cool waters of the Eno, at Fews Ford.
Logistics: Build-a-Boat, Saturday, July 8, 9 a.m., Eno River State Park (meet at the Piper Cox House at the park’s Fews Ford Access. More info here.
Looking ahead: Can’t make Saturday morning’s Build-a-Boat? The event repeats Saturday, July 29 at noon. More info here.
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D’ja ever wonder about the weather on top of a mountain? About the highest wind gusts ever recorded? Lowest temperature? Most snow?
Likewise, who hasn’t wondered how they record that information? Saturday is your chance to have these questions answered at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. Setting out from the picnic area, you’ll make the short clime to MJ’s 4,683-foot summit, home to a North Carolina Climate Office data collection tower, where the mountain will reveal her climatological secrets during the Mount Jefferson’s Climate Tower program.
Logistics: Mount Jefferson’s Climate Tower, Saturday, July 8, 2 p.m., Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. More info here.
Looking ahead: Can’t make Saturday’s hike, but intrigued all the same by Mount Jefferson? Then consider the Rock Outcrop Hike at the park on Saturday, July 29. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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 coastal 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.
A previous night hike at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area
It’s little surprise that there’s lots going on in the great outdoors this Earth Day weekend. Saturday alone (the actual Earth Day), the N.C. Office of Environmental Education lists more than 50 events on its calendar. Lots to choose from; here are some we especially like.
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One way to approach Earth Day is to use it as an opportunity to visit a place you’ve yet to explore. Lake Waccamaw State Park, for instance. Lake Waccamaw is one of the few remaining water-filled Carolina Bays, the focal point of a 2,176-acre state park that sits off the beaten path in the southeastern coastal plain.
Saturday, the Lake Waccamaw Friends celebrates this gem with a day of fun, including a 5K and a cornhole tournament. There’s live music, kids events, food and more. And the chance to learn more about the lake.
Logistics: Lake Waccamaw State Park Friends’ Earth Day 5K and Cornhole Tournament, Saturday, April 22, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Lake Waccamaw State Park, Lake Waccamaw. $10 5K fee, $20 for the family. More info here.
Looking ahead: Millpond Day 5K Family Fun Run/Walk, Saturday, April 29, Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville. More info here.
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What better way to celebrate Earth Day than with a celebration of some new earth. OK, the earth itself isn’t new — it’s been around a while. But Brumley Forest is new earth in the sense that it’s a new slice of earth for us to explore, courtesy the Triangle Land Conservancy.
Brumley Forest brings to seven the number of TLC preserves open to the public in the Triangle region. Perched on 613 rolling, forested acres in Orange County (between Durham and Hillsborough), the preserve has 5.5 miles of hiking-only trail and nearly 9 miles of multi-use trail, the first trail in the TLC system open to mountain biking. Saturday’s festivities will include guided hikes and mountain bike rides, nature activities, yoga, food trucks, local beer — plenty to keep you busy during the 8-hour celebration, which kicks off at 9 a.m.
Logistics: Brumley Nature Preserve Grand Opening, Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Brumley Preserve, 3055 New Hope Church Road, Chapel Hill. More info here.
Looking ahead: Nocturnal Hike, Saturday, May 20, 8-9 p.m., Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. More info here.
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If you’re in the mountains and already have Earth Day plans, how about squeezing in an Earth Day Night activity? Mount Jefferson State Natural Area plans to celebrate the Day with with an Earth Day Night Hike, a one-mile hike on the ridge out to Luther Rock (and back). Check out the lights of town below, listen for owls and other creatures of the evening. Starts at 8 p.m.
Logistics: Earth Day Night Hike, Saturday, April 22, 8 p.m., Mountain Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. More info here.
Looking ahead: Grandfather Mountain Wildflower Walks, Grandfather Mountain State Park, Banner Elk, hikes are ongoing, go here for a list of dates.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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 coastal 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).
Mount Jefferson (photo courtesy Jason Barnette, Southeastern Traveler)
Winter is a great time for learning a new skill (map and compass), marveling over mother nature (learning her mountaintop secrets), or testing your intestinal fortitude (the Krispy Kreme Challenge).
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One of the most popular courses we offer through our Get! programs is GetOriented!, a three-hour class that gets explorers comfortable with map and compass and thus, more comfortable exploring the outdoors, especially on their own. So far, however, we only offer the course in the Triangle and the Triad. So when we find a good opportunity to feel more comfortable in the woods that’s outside our current range, we’re only too happy to share it with you.
Thus, our recommendation of Saturday’s Compass Course at Jones Lake State Park in Elizabeth town. You’ll learn basic map and compass skills, then head out into the park’s compass course to test those skills. Compasses provided.
Logistics: Compass Course, Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m., Jones Lake State Park, Elizabethtown. More info and sign up (it’s free, but space is limited), here.
Looking ahead: Island Nature Tour, Sunday, Feb. 19, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Bald Head Island, Bald Head Island Conservancy. More into here.
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We challenge ourselves in many ways: physically, mentally, emotionally, gastrointestinally. And sometimes, on rare occasion, we test ourselves in all four ways simultaneously.
Such is the case with the Krispy Kreme Challenge. As the promotional material for this iconic and wildly successful fundraiser benefitting the North Carolina Children’s Hospital (nearly $1.2 million has been raised over 11 years) succinctly puts it: “2400 calories, 12 doughnuts, 5 miles, 1 hour.” More specifically, run 2.5 miles from the Bell Tower at N.C. State to the Krispy Kreme on Peace Street, eat at down donuts, run back. Only those able to keep the dozen donuts onboard across the finish line are considered true “Challengers.”
Even if you don’t participate, it is a sight to behold (provided you don’t have a strong gag reflex).
Logistics: Krispy Kreme Challenge, Saturday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m., N.C. State University. $50. More info here.
Looking ahead: Eno River Sunday Hikes, every Sunday through spring, 2 p.m. Various locations throughout the Eno River Valley. Find a calendar here.
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It’s a cold, winter day where you live, a light rain falls. You wonder: What’s the weather like atop one of our mountains? How much colder is it? Is it snowing? Is it windy? Do I have the gear to survive.
Find the answer to these questions of summit climate and more Saturday, when a ranger leads you to the summit of 4,683-foot Mount Jefferson to examine the N.C. Climate Office data collection tower. You that tower has some great weather tales to tell; let the ranger act as your interpreter.
Logistics: Mount Jefferson Climate Tower Hike, Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 p.m., Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. More info here.
Looking ahead: Flight of the American Woodcock, Saturday, Feb. 25, 6 p.m., Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, West Jefferson. More info here.
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Those are our thoughts on the weekend. Find more options at the sources listed 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 coastal 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).
