Looks like we’ll have to wait a bit longer for fall color, in the heart of the Piedmont, at least. At Thursday’s Lunch With GetHiking!, Pilot Mountain State Park Ranger Maggie Miller told our gathering that while there is some color at higher elevations, we’ll have to wait until the first week of November before it’s prominent in the Piedmont. Don’t blink, though: she says color here should peak the second week of the month.

What you can be on the lookout for, though, are:

Monarch butterflies, which are beginning their migration to Mexico, and;

Hawks, also beginning to head south.

And where can you watch the latter? Read on.

Swoop In — Fall Hawk Watch, Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head. “Learn about the international hawk count project we are participating in.  Maybe you will get to see the world’s fastest animal rocket across the dunes, the peregrine falcon.” Learn more here.

As for guided hikes, State Parks is offering two this weekend:

Intro to Hiking, Saturday, 3 p.m., Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. Join a Park Ranger for a short hike along the Grassy Ridge Trail. “We will go over the basics of hiking and ways to get comfortable with navigating a trail at Pilot Mountain and the NC State Park system.” Learn more here.

Old Growth Hike, Sunday, 2 p.m., Weymouth Woods State Park, Southern Pines. Hike for a mile through the Boyd Round Timer Tract, through an old growth forest of longleaf pine (including a stop by the world’s oldest known living longleaf pine!). Learn more here.

So what else did Ranger Miller tell us at lunch? You’ll have to catch the rerun, here, to find out.

Fall arrives this weekend! GetOut! And enjoy.

The post GetOut! There’s so much to enjoy about fall appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

What does that mean to those of us eager to get out and explore beyond our neighborhood?

The key element: parks will be allowed to reopen beginning May 8. Since playgrounds must remain closed until Phase 2 of the lifting, we’re assuming that facilities such as rec centers, visitor centers and restrooms also will remain closed. But trails could begin to reopen. For most of us, the biggest impact of this reopening would be in North Carolina’s 41 state parks, recreation areas and natural areas. Currently, 29 of those parks are completely closed; trails remain open in the remaining 12.

An announcement next week

“We are developing a re-opening plan in phases,” Katie Hall, public information officer with N.C. State Parks and Recreation told us late Thursday afternoon. “That plan should be final sometime next week.”

Hopefully, the first phase of that plan will involve the reopening of trails. Social distancing standards — staying six feet apart and gathering in groups of no more than 10 — would still apply, so any reopening needs to take that into account. And considering the reasons the trails closed in the first place was because those standards couldn’t be enforced, that might pose a problem. Then again, maybe not, for two reasons.

Smart social engineering could minimize the amount of contact between hikers. Already, we’ve seen trails that remain open institute one-way hiking. At the Confluence Natural Area northwest of Hillsborough, the Eno River Association, which manages the preserve, has requested that hikers on its two loop trails hike clockwise. Parks could also publicize their lesser-used entrances to disperse crowds. At Pilot Mountain State Park, for instance, the majority of visitors come in through the main parking area atop the mountain, but the park has six secondary entrances where you can pick up trail. 

The approach of summer. The closure of much of the state coincided with the advent of spring weather. Attendance at N.C. State Parks historically spikes during the glorious weather of spring. But come mid-May when temperatures climb into the 80s and the humidity rises, those crowds will diminish. The prospects for summer hiking this year look good.

Phases 2 and 3

The governor stressed that this phased reopening of the state is dependent upon an ongoing downward trend in viral activity: if the number of cases spikes, we’ll see restrictions added back. But if viral activity continues to decrease, Phase 2 would kick in, possibly the end of May/beginning of June. Among other things, restaurants, bars, places of worship and entertainment venues could reopen, with certain restrictions. The size of group gatherings allowed would also increase, to a yet-undetermined number. By extension, it would seem that campgrounds might reopen around this time as well. 

And if a positive viral trend continues, possibly around the beginning of July, the number of people allowed to congregate as a group would be expanded further. In our world, that might mean we could begin leading weekend hiking/camping trips in the mountains. 

Of course, the places we can explore could be limited; last week, the Pisgah National Forest announced the closing of numerous trails and access roads until Aug. 13, or until otherwise rescinded.

All in all, it looks like our world of adventure will begin reopening in a couple weeks. We’ll keep you updated on how that will happen.

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Explore Your Neighborhood

Even once trails begin to reopen across the state, we’ll continue to advocate for adventures close to home — right out your front door! For more on exploring your neighborhood during these shelter-in-place times, check out our new “Explore Your Neighborho

od: A Guide to Discovering the World Immediately Around You,” available in both ebook and paperback. Includes guidance on everything from how to scout your neighborhood for hidden gems to how to execute your neighborhood treks.

And don’t forget to join us weekday mornings at 7:30 for Morning Walk with Joe, about 10 minutes of Joe’s half-hour morning ramble. You’ll find it on our GetGoingNC Facebook page.

The post GetOut! Way cleared for trails to begin reopening appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

We take a slightly different approach this week, inspired by what seems to be a greater-than-usual offering of intriguing critter programs this weekend in our state parks system. Today, we simply list the program title, the park hosting it, when it is, and a link. You have no reason not to learn a thing or two this weekend.

Saturday

• Slithering Search for Snakes, Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle, 10 a.m. Go here.
• Wildlings: Up Close with Nature, Weymouth Woods State Natural Area, Southern Pines, 10 a.m. Go here.
• Carnivorous Plant Hike, Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach, 10 a.m. Go here.
• Bears of South Mountains, South Mountains State Park, Connelly Springs, 11 a.m. Go here.
• Reptile Walk, Jockey’s Ridge State Park, Nags Head, 1 p.m. Go here.
• Timber Rattlesnakes, Elk Knob State Park, Todd, 2 p.m. Go here.
• Sharks of Fort Fisher, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, Kure Beach, 2 p.m. Go here.
• Frogs and Toads, Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville, 2 p.m. Go here.

Sunday

• Black Bears, Mount Mitchell State Park, Burnsville, 10 a.m. Go here.
• Carnivorous Plant Hike, Carolina Beach State Park, Carolina Beach, 10 a.m. Go here.
• Animals of Falls Lake, Falls Lake State Recreation Area, Raleigh, 2 p.m. Go here.
• Snakes!, Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle, 3 p.m. Go here.

GetHiking! this weekend

What are our GetHiking! groups in North Carolina and Virginia up to this weekend? Plenty, thanks for asking …

Live the video

We reached into the wayback machine for this week’s inspiration: it’s a hike from last year on a section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (Day Hike Section K) that we hiked around this time last year. It’s also near a section we’ll be hiking tomorrow (see above). For more information on hiking the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and for details on the various hikes supporting the trail’s 42nd birthday on Sept. 9, go here.

More options

Looking for more options for weekend adventure? Check out our GetOut! Find An Adventure resource page here.

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

Coast

Guided canoe trips are great. Sometimes, though, they can be a little staid: Now if we all raft up and be still, we might see the alligator gar surface to feed. Usually doesn’t take more than a half hour, again, provided no one moves or speaks … .”

Sometimes, though, you just need to let loose, to let go and have some good old fashioned water fun. And if you’re having that fun in a kayak, it only makes sense that the resulting activity would be funyaking. Which is just what they’ll be doing Saturday morning at 10 a.m. on the 11-acre lake at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park not too far from Goldsboro. You must be at least 10 years old to participate; no mention of an age restriction on the other end — woo hoo! Prepare to get wet playing games in your kayak.

Logistics: Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m., Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Seven Springs. Free, but space is limited and preregistration is required, by calling 919.778.6234.

Saturday forecast: High of 86, chance of thunderstorms.

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Planning ahead: Wellness Walk, Saturday, July 11, Smith Creek Park, Wilmington. These monthly walks (every second Saturday) are lead by registered nurses and are a great opportunity to introduce walking into your wellness regimen. More info here.

Piedmont

Here’s a trip that would make any adventure lover jump the weekend starting gun: Friday morning’s Canoe Trip on the Yadkin River at Pilot Mountain State Park. The stretch in question: the 6.5 miles through the Bean Shoals area to Donnaha Park.

An especially great opportunity for beginning river paddlers: canoe, paddle and pfd are provided, as is the guidance of a park ranger. The only things you need to bring to the paddle party: a hat, sunscreen, water, lunch and a way to get from the take-out back to your car (at the put-in).

Logistics: Friday, June 26, 10 a.m., South River Section canoe launch at Pilot Mountain State Park, Pinnacle. Free, but equipment is limited; RSVP in advance by calling the park at 336.325.2355.

Friday forecast: High of 94, sunny.

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Planning ahead: Every toyed with the notion of trying a triathlon? Fit & Able Production’s Plunge Pedal & Plod is the perfect opportunity to test your triworthiness. There’s the Tri A Bit option (50-yard swim, 4K bike, 1.6K run), Tri A Bit More (200 yards/8K/2.4 K) and Tri A Lot (400 meters/12K/3K). It’s Aug. 16 at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary. More info here.

Mountains

Lake James may look like a big lake more subject to Piedmont heat than mountain cool, but located at the base of the Blue Ridge Escarpment and fed by the chill waters of the Linville River, its waters are refreshing, especially in the recent heat. And while the goal of paddling is not to become one with the water, worse things can happen.

Still, Lake James State Park Superintendent Nora Coffey promises a refreshing journey in the upright position on Saturday morning’s Canoe Excursion. Pushing off at 9 a.m. in the Paddy’s Creek area of the lake, Super Coffey will show you around the lake she calls home. BYOB, or call in advance for one of six loaner canoes available, for free, for this program. And if you do opt for a park boat, “ … be prepared to share your journey with a new friend if you are a single and space dictates.”

Logistics: Saturday, June 27, 9 a.m. Paddy Creek Area of Lake James State Park, Nebo. Free, but space is limited: 828.584.7728 to reserve a spot.

Saturday forecast: High of 85, chance of afternoon thunderstorms.

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Planning ahead: Looking for a mountain ride? Check out the Blue Ridge Breakaway on August 15 at the Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center. Routes of varying distances and difficulty. Investigate here.

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

The post This weekend: Grab a paddle appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

What is there not to love about this time of year? Weekend temperatures across the state will range from the mid-70s at the coast to the low 60s in the mountains, fall is exhibiting varying degrees of color throughout, and the entire state will be under sunny skies. Great for a paddle, a hike, competitive mountain biking and more.

Coast

Our GetExploring! Greenville affiliate has the perfect idea for a sunny, 70-degree Sunday afternoon: go for a paddle.

Sunday at 1, the triple-guided trip (in the lead, in the middle, in the rear) will put in at the Tranter’s Creek Wildlife Resources Commission boat ramp just west of Little Washington. They’ll hang a left, then paddle to where Tranter’s convenes with the Tar River to form the Pamlico. From there, the group will explore the various islands (including the famous The Castle) across from the Washington waterfront — and the waterfront as well. An estimated 8 miles of paddling, about three to four hours on the water.

And don’t let the lack of a boat deter you: call ahead and GetExploring Greenville’s sponsor, Great Outdoor Provision Co., can hook you up with a rental kayak.

Logistics: Sunday, 1 p.m., Tranter’s Creek boat ramp in Little Washington. Learn more about the trip and how to rent a kayak at the GetExploring! Greenville Meetup site.

Sunday forecast: Sunny, high of 73.

Piedmont

Fall color is descending upon the Piedmont, and one of the best places to catch the show is at your local state park. You can simply go to the NC State Parks website, find the park nearest you, and take yourself on a self-propelled excursion. Or, you can tag along on a fall color-specific guided hike

Several are planned systemwide this weekend, starting with this evening’s Pinnacle Sunset Hike at Crowder’s Mountain State Park west of Charlotte. From the Visitor Center, this hike will head two miles to the Pinnacle, which offers 360-degree views of the surrounding color-drenched countryside, all the more illuminating in the waning hours of day.

Logistics: For information on tonight’s Pinnacle Sunset Hike as well well as other guided hikes in the state park system this weekend, go here.

Weekend forecast: Sunny and in the 70s, pretty much throughout the Piedmont.

Mountains

We take so much from our outdoor experiences; from time to time, it’s nice to give something back. Especially if you’re a mountain biker, this weekend is a great opportunity to give back, by volunteering at the Collegiate Mountain Bike Nationals this weekend at Beech Mountain.

350 student riders from more than 50 colleges and universities will complete; that’s a lot of competitors and a lot of wranglers needed to help pull off the event, from course marshals to folks to help with registration and course set-up and breakdown. Plus, it’s a chance to see some of the best young riders in the country in action.

Logistics: To help, check with volunteer coordinator: Tracy Simms at mtbvolunteers@yahoo.com or 828.387.2011, ext. 205. For more information on the race, go here.

Weekend forecast: Sunny, high in the low 60s.

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

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