For a few decades now, the first Saturday of June has been National Trails Day. It’s a day when we celebrate our trails, sometimes by doing maintenance, sometimes by simply taking a hike. In North Carolina this National Trails Day, 15 events have been registered with the American Hiking Society, which sponsors the annual event.

Probably the biggest event is the N.C. Trail Days Festival in Elkin. Guided hikes, horseback rides, paddle trips, and a trail dedication are among the events scheduled for the trail town of Elkin (it’s on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail as it makes its way from the mountains to Piedmont). Learn more here. 

A variety of work days are scheduled, from Stone Mountain State Park to Eno River State Park, from the Mountains-to-Sea Trail to the Carolina Thread Trail. Odds are you don’t need to look for from where you are to find an NTD event. Find the NTD events listed on the AHS site here.

Not every NTD event in the state is listed on the AHS site. For instance, there are four hikes with National Trails Day in the title in North Carolina State Parks on Saturday, including hikes on  the Profile and Nuwati trails at Grandfather Mountain State Park. Check out the National Trails Day hikes in our N.C. state parks, here.  

There’s a good chance you’ll also find NTD events are you local and county parks, as well as at nearby nature preserves. In fact, Saturday is also Land Trust Day. As it has every first Saturday since 1992, Great Outdoor Provision Co. will donate 10 percent of sales on Saturday to the work done by local land trusts. So if you need new boots or a pack, it would be advantageous to make that purchase Saturday. Learn more about that effort at the Great Outdoor Provision Co. website, here.

As for the weather, after a rainy Thursday and Friday, the weekend is looking warm and sunny, with temperatures ranging from the upper 60s to mid 80s. There’s still time to make it a camping weekend — even if you have no camping gear. Check out our GetCamping! program for details. 

This weekend, GetOut! And enjoy.

The post GetOut! Celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday appeared first on GetGoing NC!.

Coast

Last weekend, our GetHiking! Triangle group explored Goose Creek State Park. Few had previously visited the 1,208-acre park on the north bank of the Pamlico River downstream from Little Washington. Many hadn’t even heard of the park. But all came away big fans.

Hence, our recommendation for Saturday’s Live Oak and Huckleberry Trail Hike at Goose Creek. The hike will explore two of the park’s ecosystems: a Live Oak river community and a pine woods savannah. Coastal hiking is at its best on a clear, cool late fall day, which is in the cards for Saturday (see below).

Logistics: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2 p.m., Goose Creek State Park, Washington. For more info, call 252.923.2191.

Saturday forecast: Sunny skies, high of 52.

Piedmont

We’re entering the season of, ‘tis better to give than receive. What’s best, though, is to give and receive, which is what will happen if you take part in Umstead State Park’s Can You Dig It? volunteer workday. Show up with sturdy boots, work gloves, water and the will to work hard for two hours and you can help improve the quality of Umstead’s over-loved trails.

No special skills required, just the ability to take direction and, again, work hard.

Logistics: Saturday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m., Harrison Avenue/Reedy Creek entrance (off I-40) to Umstead State Park, Raleigh. Reservations are required, by calling 919.571.4170.

Saturday forecast: Mostly sunny, high of 52.

Mountains

Here’s a hike you probably haven’t done but should: the Appalachian Trail north of Hot Springs. The climb up Lovers Leap Ridge offers repeated views of the French Broad River and Hot Springs below. Then, the way the Carolina Mountain Club plans to hike it on Sunday, interconnecting trails will provide more intimate streamside hiking.

And there’s the apres hike in Hot Springs, one of the classic AT trail towns. Be sure to include a visit to Bluff Mountain Outfitters,  where you can score just about everything a hiker could need — and more importantly, want.

Logistics: Sunday, Nov. 23, 8:30 a.m., Appalachian Trail, Hot Springs. For specifics on meeting time and location, contact Paul Benson at 828.251.1909 or pdbenson@charter.net.

Sunday forecast: High of 55, chance of rain.

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

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The post This weekend: A hike before the hectic holidays appeared first on GetGoing NC!.