Saturday doesn’t look half bad, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the 50s. However, the wind is expected to kick up in the afternoon, with a steady blow of 15-20 mph winds out of the southwest, with gusts up to 35! That’s especially problematic if you worry about dead wood showering down upon you from the canopy.

So, on Sunday:

• Spring Hike: Naturally Wonderful Waterfalls, 3 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. From the upper trailhead parking lot a ranger will lead this 1.2-mile out-and-back to Stone Mountain Falls (pictured above), which tumbles down the east shoulder of Stone Mountain, a 600-foot-high granite dome. Build in the time to hike the Summit Side of the Stone Mountain Loop Trail, accessible from the same trailhead, which will take you to the dome’s largest exposure. Learn more about the hike here.
• In the Pines: Guided Hike, 4 p.m., Gorges State Park, Sapphire. If you find yourself in the western part of the state, drop by the drop-dead gorgeous Gorges State Park for this short hike to check out the various pines that inhabit the park. The hike, which originates from the White Pines Picnic Area, is notable because it’s rated “Moderate” in difficulty, possibly the only “moderate” hike in the park. Learn more here.

OK, we won’t completely ignore Saturday. We’ve got one program early, before the wind is expected to whoosh through, one late that should benefit from the wind.

• Trail Building at Horseshoe Road Nature Preserve, 8:45 a.m. to noon, 3018 Horseshoe Road, Creedmoor. Join the Tar River Land Conservancy in its effort to open 2 miles of trail at its Horseshoe Road Nature Preserve. The supervised workday will include a variety of tasks: building wooden footbridges and benches, installing signs, trail clearing and more. Learn more here.
• Stars and Planets, 7:45 p.m., Mayo River State Park, Mayodan. One great thing about the wind is that it tends to scour the sky, leaving it free of debris. Combined with a half moon that should leave lots of stars visible, stars that the Greensboro Astronomy Club will be more than glad to help you see with their sophisticated telescopes. More info here.

On the spring wildflower front, you may see the leaves of the trout lily, but the flowers have pretty much passed. You’re more likely this weekend to see spring beauties, bluets, rue anemone and bloodroot.

Enjoy!

The post GetOut! This weekend gets off to a blustery beginning appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

All spring, my stepson and his buddies spent their weekends building a raft — a raft they planned to ride for 35 miles on the Cape Fear River. Having paddled the Cape Fear I was a tad skeptical, what with the seemingly non-raft-friendly Class I-II drops along the way. But these guys being bright and well versed in the engineering arts, I kept my thoughts to myself: They’ll be fine. And after their three-day trip this past weekend, they were.

Their expedition piqued my interest in rafts. That’s no doubt part of the reason this week’s recommendation for the coast is the Rafting Near/On the Lake program Saturday at Cliffs of the Neuse State Park in Seven Springs. First, you’ll make miniature rafts for competition in the Raingutter Regatta. Then, time permitting, you’ll set sail on the park’s pond on a raft made of recycled material. Sounds like a great way to spend part of a day.

Logistics: Saturday, June 9, 8 a.m., Cliffs of the Neuse State Park, Seven Springs. More info by dialing 919.778.6234.

Friday forecast: High of 88 with overcast skies and a 70 percent chance of rain.

Piedmont

The forecast for Saturday calls for our first 90+ weather of the season — with the wetness factor boosting the heat index to 95! And there’s a 60 percent chance of rain during the day. How does that translate to still having adventure fun? By having it at night. Say, at the Wonders of the Night Sky program at the Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center in Four Oaks (near Smithfield). Saturn will be the focus of the evening, a focus provided by amateur astronomers who will bring their telescopes and are only too glad to let you take an extended peek. A great spot to view the night sky since there’s far less light pollution this far from the urban, glowing Triangle.

Logistics: Saturday, June 8, 9 p.m. Free, no pre-registration. More info here.

Saturday night forecast: Low of 72, partly cloudy.

Mountains

We’ve got a fondness for trail races, especially those in the mountains. This week, that fondness brings us to Warren Wilson College for the latest installment of the RiverBound Race Series. Both the 5K and 15K runs will be on the Warren Wilson trails. This is the second of three RiverBound races in the mountains; three others take place in the Charlotte area.

Logistics: Saturday, June 8, 8 a.m., Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. $30 in advance, $35 race day for the 5K, $45/$50 for the 15K. More info here.

Saturday forecast: High of 77, 50 percent chance of rain.

* * *

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 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.

* * *

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The post This weekend: Raft, gaze, run appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Odds are, when you think of Pettigrew State Park you think of some of the state’s oldest trees. Narrow your Pettigrew-related thoughts to water, you likely think of Lake Phelps, the state’s second largest (natural) lake. But since 2004 you’d have to expand those watery thoughts of the park to include a stretch of the Scuppernong River, which offers some of the easiest, most intimate coastal paddling in the state.

Sample some Scuppernong paddle magic Saturday on a ranger-led canoe trip beginning at 10 a.m. from Spruill’s Bridge in Creswell. No idea where Spruill’s Bridge — and perhaps Creswell — is? Find out when you call to reserve a spot on this free, but registration-required paddle trip.

Logistics: Saturday, April 6, 10 a.m. Free and all equipment and a ranger guide provided, but preregistration is required, by calling (252) 797-4475. Learn more about the park and local ecology here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 59.

Piedmont

There’s a statewide star party at state parks throughout North Carolina, and you’re invited.

One such party is at Mayo River State Park near Greensboro. Beginning at 8:30 p.m. Friday night, “Park staff, armed with telescopes, will give a tour of the night sky from a field near the picnic shelter.” Participants wielding flashlights are asked to use red filters, and despite our never-ending winter, you are advised to pack bug spray. Find out about other star parties in the State Park system here.

Logistics: Friday, April 5, 8:30 p.m., Mayo River State Park. Free. Weather dependent; call before hand to make sure the event is on: 336.427.2530

Friday night forecast: High in the 50s, rain clearing.

Mountains

You know nice weather’s gotta be around the corner when you see the first road ride of the season. Tour de Lure may not be the absolute first of 2013, but to us it always signifies the start of the mountain riding season. For those of you up to the challenge, there’s the Dewey Hughes Memorial Route, a 71-mile romp with 5,900 feet of climbing in the McDowell County/Lake Lure area. Just getting back on the bike? Then considering the Corpening YMCA Fun Route, a more gently rolling 22-mile cruise.

Logistics: Saturday, April 6, 9 a.m., beginning and ending at the Corpening Memorial YMCA in Marion. $45. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 63.

* * *

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 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

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The post This weekend: Paddle, pedal, (star) party 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!.