There is still good fall color to be had, and based on the forecast, it’s to be had against a backdrop of crisp baby blue skies. That said, some thoughts on the weekend ahead.

• Fall Foliage Hike, Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Haw River State Park, Browns Summit. What we said above about the forecast should make the colors pop even more. Learn more here.
• Fall Tree ID Hike, Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap. When was the last time you slow down enough on the trail to learn a thing? Can’t recall? Then this could be the most informative half mile you’ll come across this year. Learn more here.
• Weymouth Goes to the Dogs!, Sunday, 3 p.m., Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve, Southern Pines. Learn more here.

As always, you can find more opportunities this weekend here:

• North Carolina State Parks have a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Centers has an extensive calendar of what’s happening at its affiliates; check it out here.
• You can also find more adventures right here, at GetGoingNC.com.

Learn more about where we spent last weekend, featured in the video, by visiting Umstead State Park and the Mountains-to-Sea Trail at Falls Lake.

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

That said, a few thoughts on the weekend ahead:

GetHiking! Triangle Fleece Hike at Horton Grove, Saturday, 9 a.m. Horton Grove Nature Preserve, Bahama. We aren’t about to pass on our first opportunity of the fall to hike in fleece! Expect a temperature around 50 when we hit the trail on this 6-mile hike. Starting from the old white barn on Jock Road we’ll hike a loop composed of the Jordan, Walker, Peaks, Holman, Hart and Justice trails. Because of its elevation and location on a high plateau, it should be comparatively immune from the drenching rains of Michael. Learn more and sign up here.

Big Canoe Program, Saturday, 2 p.m., Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville (northeast corner of the state). We’re intrigued by the simple program description: “Come to the visitors center at 2:00 p.m. for a canoe program in large canoes.” Large canoes … hmm. It’s free, and while these are large canoes, seating is limited, preregistration is required, by calling 252.357.1191. Not much more information here.

Hutchinson Homestead Hike, Sunday, 1 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park, Roaring Gap (west of Elkin, which is northwest of Winston-Salem. If you’re new to hiking, this is a great starter hike: from the Lower Trailhead Parking Area, it’s a short hike (a half mile overall) to the Hutchinson Homestread, long enough to see some emerging fall color, learn about the homestead, and see the massive moon face of Stone Mountain (and likely some climbers working their way up the smooth face). Moreyinfo here.

More options

You can find more opportunities this weekend here:

• North Carolina State Parks have a variety of adventures planned for the weekend. Check those options here.
• North Carolina Environmental Education Centers has an extensive calendar of what’s happening at its affiliates; check it out here.
• You can also find more adventures right here, at GetGoingNC.com.

And if you’re interested in exploring the two areas featured in our video, you can find more info by clicking the link below:

• Little River Regional Park
• Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Falls Lake Day-Hike Section S

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

Coast

Rarely do we recommend a spectator activity, what with GetGoingNC being about active, adventurous living and all. But today’s recommendation is spectating that could lead to sweating.

Saturday, it’s the annual running of the Beach2Battleship Iron Distance Triathlon. That’s a 2.4-mile swim (in Banks Channel at Wrightsville Beach), followed by a 112-mile bike ride out to the White Lake area and back, followed by a marathon. We’re not necessarily suggesting that watching an Ironman will make you want to do an Ironman, but it likely could inspire you to, initially, do a shorter tri (they come in in a variety of smaller sizes; to learn more, visit here).

And then, who knows?

Logistics: Beach2Battleship Ironman Distance Triathlon, Saturday, Oct. 22, 7:15 a.m. into the evening, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Saturday forecast: Sunny, high of 65.

* * *

Looking ahead: Surf-to-Sound Challenge, stand up paddleboard race, Nov. 4, Blockade Runner Resort, Wrightsville Beach. More info here.

Piedmont

We love physical activity that doesn’t seem like physical activity. An activity, say, where you walk for two hours, then say, “Wow! I just walked for two hours!”

That would describe Saturday’s Ghost Walk of Davidson, a two-hour ramble through the town of Davidson, learning about the town’s history and ghostly past. It’s a family-oriented activity, a good way to jump-start the clan’s plans to be up and about.

Logistics: Ghost Walk of Davidson, Saturday, 7-9 p.m., Davidson. $10 for adults, $5 for the 7-12 set. More info by calling 704.896.7743.

Saturday evening forecast: High in the mid-50s, darkening.

* * *

Looking ahead: Canoe Hike, Saturday, Oct. 29, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area. More info here.

Mountains

A river runs through Stone Mountain State Park — actually, several do. Combined, they include 20 miles of designated trout waters, making the park a great place to fly fish. And, not coincidentally, a great place to learn to fly fish.

Sunday, check out Beginner Fly Fishing, a two-hour class led by Ranger Michael Wood that covers rules and regulations, stream sampling, knot tying, casting, and actual fishing instruction. It’s a great introduction to the sport, and it’s free, though pre-registration is required (the class is limited to 10, so don’t dawdle).

Logistics: Beginner Fly Fishing, Sunday, Oct. 23, 1-3 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. Free, but preregistration is required, by emailing Ranger Michael Wood at michael.wood@ncparks.gov.

Sunday forecast: Sunny skies, high of 63.

* * *

Looking ahead: Senior Trek Hike to Laurel River Trail, Nov. 2,Oakley Recreation Center, Asheville. More info here. .

* * *

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

Coast

The post Your weekend: It’s not just about fall hiking appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast / Coastal Plain

A lot of folks like the idea of going on a group hike or walk. Trouble is, the vast majority are long and geared toward more advanced hikers. The opportunities to test the trail waters on shorter, friendly hikes are few.

That’s why we like Saturday morning’s Wellness Walk at Smith Creek Park in Wilmington. It’s a friendly distance (1.3 miles) on a friendly surface (pavement) in a most friendly environment. Enjoy the woods and lake, hike with others who aren’t heck-bent on setting a speed record, and discover why walking/hiking is the most popular — and one of the most beneficial — forms of exercise.

Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 13, 9 a.m., Smith Creek Park, 633 Shenandoah Street, Wilmington. Sponsored by New Hanover County Parks and Gardens. More info by calling 919.798.7275.

Saturday forecast: Sunny with temperatures in the low 80s at hike time.

* * *

Looking ahead: Paddle the Millpond, Saturday, Aug. 27, Merchants Millpond State Park, Gatesville. More info here.

Piedmont

We all have that one adventure on our list that, for no good reason, we’ve yet to try. Nope, hard as we try, we can’t figure out why it’s yet to be checked from our list.

If fly fishing is that thing for you, then check out Saturday’s Stone Mountain Trout Fishing Guide, at — Anyone? Anyone? — Stone Mountain State Park. A ranger will discuss trout species in the park’s designated trout waters, and will also discuss seasons, creel limits and bait restrictions. The program is just 45 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to explore Stone Mountain’s scenic — and challenging — 23 miles of trail.

Logistics: Saturday, Aug. 13, 1:30 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. For more information, go here.

Saturday forecast: High of 79, chance of thunderstorms.

* * *

Looking ahead: Ascent of the Century, climb Mount Mitchell with N.C. State Parks and the N.C. Museum of Natural Science, Aug. 26-28, $75. More info here.

Mountains

Are you having a stellar season on the bike? Riding three or four times a week, putting in the miles, crushing the climbs?

Then you’re probably up for a good challenge. Such as Sunday’s Race to the Rock, at Chimney Rock State Park. It’s a 25-mile bike race that gains 900 vertical feet in the last three miles alone (the grade ranges from 7 to 9 percent), finishing at the base of Chimney Rock. Part of the Lake Lure Olympiad.

Logistics: Sunday, Aug. 14, 7:30 a.m., Chimney Rock State Park. $45. More info here.

Sunday forecast: Race time temperature of 81, chance of thunderstorms.

* * *

Looking ahead: Asheville Duathlon, 10K off-road run, Sept. 11, 8:30 a.m., Biltmore Estate. More info 828.684.0812, or go here.

* * *

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

* * *
GetGoingNC.com

Promote Your Page Too

The post Your weekend: Have an adventure that sizzles appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

At the coast, our rod points to … the marshlands of Bald Head Island, where wet relief is but a paddle-splash (or better still, a capsize!) away. On both Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the BHI Conservancy leads Kayaking the Creeks, a paddle tour exploring and explaining “the beauty and importance of the salt marsh.” If you’ve done this trip before, you haven’t necessarily done this trip: “Each trip offers a unique perspective of BHI and great views of wildlife,” promises the conservancy.

PFDs, paddles, kayaks and guide are provided; you bring a water bottle, sunscreen, bug spray, hat, and clothes that can get “muddy and slightly damp.”

Vital Stats: Saturday, July 30, 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 31, 5:30 p.m., Bald Head Island (meet at the Village Creek Access on Federal Road). $55/person for non-members, $40/person for BHI Conservancy members. More info and sign up here.

Saturday forecast: Highs in the low 90s Saturday and Sunday, chance of thunderstorms Sunday.

* * *

Looking ahead: Up and Active, Aug. 17, 6:30 p.m., Kure Beach. More info here.

Piedmont

Normally, when a kayak trip requires that, “All participants must be able to swim,” it can cause alarm. Not the case when the temperature is expected to hit 97. In fact, the prospect that some swimming might be involved is just the thing to lure us to Lumber River State Park for Saturday’s paddle on the Lumber.

The three-hour tour starts art 10 a.m., with guide and appropriate paddling paraphernalia provided (you need only bring sunscreen, drinking water, snack and “any other necessary items”).

Vital Stats: Saturday, July 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lumber River State Park, Chalk Banks Access Area Picnic Area. Free, but space is limited; RSVP at 910.628.4564.

Saturday forecast: High of 97, chance of afternoon thunderstorm.

* * *

Looking ahead: Canoe the Mayo, Mayo River State Park, Mayodan, Saturday, Aug. 27. More info here.

Mountains

This also sounds good on a 91-degree summer’s day: “Bring clothes and shoes that you can get wet.”

In this case, that means clothes you can wear wading in a cool mountain stream as a park ranger at Stone Mountain State Park explains the habits and diet of mountain trout. (The very fact these waters support trout indicates these are indeed cool waters that you will be getting your clothes and shoes refreshingly wet.)

Vital Stats: Stream Safari, Saturday, July 30, 2 p.m., Stone Mountain State Park. More info here.

Sunday forecast: High of 91, chance of thunderstorms.

* * *

Looking ahead: Centennial Celebration, Mount Mitchell State Park, Aug. 27-28. More info here.

* * *

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

* * *

The post This weekend: H20! H20! H20! appeared first on GetGoing NC!.