TRAILMARKER. An Early Autumn Hike at Grayson Highlands. The Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club Newsletter. Since Volume 31 Number 6

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1 TRAILMARKER The Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club Newsletter November December 2013 Since 1982 Volume 31 Number 6 An Early Autumn Hike at Grayson Highlands Visit us on the Web

2 Page 4 of 16 About our Hike Rating System Our rating system provides a useful, general gauge of a hike s difficulty. It factors in distance and elevation gain and is intended to help you choose hikes that you will find most enjoyable. R0-R10 These are more walks than hikes. They re usually close to home, the trails are flat, and distances are generally short. An after-dinner walk around the block would be rated R1 or R2. Our Wednesday Night Walks are R5. R10-R20 Most of these hikes will be in the lower mountains and foothills. Distances will be about 5-8 miles, with vertical ranging from feet...not easy if you re new to hiking! Trails will be dirt and rock. As long as you re in moderately good shape, you should be able to enjoy the outing. R20-R30 Hikes in the low end of this range will be too hard and overly stressful for many new members. Plan on an all-day trip, with at least 4 hours of continuous hiking in rugged and steep terrain. At a minimum, be sure to pack two quarts of water, lunch, a snack, and rain gear. Outings Protocol Outings Inform the outing leader you are going to attend. Arrive early for the outing. If you carpool, reimburse your driver for driving costs. A suggested amount is $4.00 for each hour of driving. Always take snacks, lunch, water and rain gear. Bring extra clothes to change into after the outing. To keep vehicles clean and the air fresh, always carry something to hold muddy boots and sweaty clothes for the ride back from a hike. Your participation is at your own risk. Piedmont Enviromental Center Map R30-R40 These are strenuous hikes. They will usually be 10+ miles, with climbs of feet. They re appropriate only for those who have done a number of lower rated hikes. R40+ These hikes are usually 12 or more miles with 3000 feet or more of elevation gain. They re appropriate only for fit, experienced hikers. Check with hike leader about the trip if you are wanting to do this trip for the first time.

3 Outings Page 5 of 16 The Wednesday night Walkers will meet every Wednesday evening in the parking lot beside Tex & Shirley s at the Friendly Shopping Center at 6:30 pm for a brisk walk before dinner. The group will have rotating leaders. The leaders are Carol Hamley, John Hanson, Barbara Kennedy and Lana Gainey. The group will go to dinner after the walk. If bad weather cancels the walk, the group will still meet at 6:30 and go to dinner. November 1, Friday North Carolina Dance Festival Aycock Auditorium, UNCG This will be the 4th year (I think) I m leading this outing. Join us for an evening of modern dance by professional NC choreographers. It s the 23rd year for this prestigious festival and it s always exciting and fun. We ll meet on the steps of Aycock Auditorium at 5:45 and begin with dinner at one of the many restaurants on Tate Street. Those wishing to just go to the performance can meet us in the lobby of Aycock at 7:45 for an 8 o clock performance where I ll hand out the tickets. Please let me know if you are coming by October 24 so I can get a reduced group rate. The performance is only about an hour long so those going on a Saturday hike can still make an early night of it. Send a check to me for: General admission - $18 Students $14 Seniors - $9 If we have 10 people for a group rate of $8 (We always do) I will reimburse you the difference that evening.check out and go to the artists tab for a taste of what s in store for the 23rd festival. Also click the gallery YouTube videos November 1-3 Williamston, NC Paddle and Platform Camping on the Roanoke River This weekend we are going to paddle The Roanoke River from Williamston to Jamesville and celebrate the last hurray of the paddling season. Friday we will stay the night in the creature comforts of the Econo Lodge Williamston and begin our adventure on Saturday morning. On Saturday we will load up our boats and float down the Roanoke River to Devils Gut to stay the night on the Beaver Lodge and Beaver Tail Camping Platforms. Our return trip on Sunday will be to paddle out to Jamesville and return home that afternoon. The paddle trip will be either or miles depending on the weather and the decision of the group. If you would like to attend please contact me for more information. November 2, Saturday Moses Cone Manor Carriage Trails Blowing Rock This hike is about 10 miles but anyone who wants a shorter hike can just do half. The trails are wide carriage roads that are gently graded. The 5 mile loop connects Bass Lake and the manor house. The 5 1/2 up and back trail to the fire tower passes the Cones graveyard. Please me or call for meeting times. 10 miles [R-17]

4 Page 6 of 16 Outings November 2, Saturday Heartbreak Ridge to Pinnacle Old Fort, NC November 5, Tuesday 7 pm Deep Roots 600 N. Eugene St., Greensboro This hike starts near Old Fort, parallels a creek for a warm up stretch, and then starts climbing up Heartbreak Ridge. The climb is not steep but it is unrelenting. To compensate, there are lots of good views to be had along the way. It then goes up steeply for a relatively short distance to the top of Blue Ridge Pinnacle, with 360 degree views of Mt. Mitchell, Graybeard, Table Rock, etc... After lunch on Pinnacle, we ll head back down. Those interested will stop at Fatz for dinner on the way back. Call or for meeting times and places. 14 miles, +/4000 feet [R-54] Let s eat cheap, tasty and healthfully at Deep Roots. This longstanding Greensboro grocery has a new location, and a private dining area. Organic and local foods and drinks are their passions. Traditional country food to Vegan, suggest the range of cooking styles. Bring a friend. Share the fun. Please let me know you are coming. November 6, Wednesday Night Walk See description on page 5 November 3, Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 PM Trail Maintenance workday Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain State Parks November 9, Saturday Doughton Park Loop Feel like paying back a little for all the times you ve hiked at Hanging Rock and Pilot Mountain State Parks then join us for our fall trail maintenance workday coordinated by PHOC and FSM member Jay Young. This is a joint work day coordinated by PHOC and FSM (Friends of Sauratown Mountains). We will be working on sections of the MST trail at both parks. Afterwards join the group at a cookout at Ben Harris s house. Details for the work to be done, starting times and meeting place in the parks as well as the cookout information will be broadcast closer to Nov. 3rd. Wear clothes and footwear suitable for trail building and bring water, gloves and a snack. Please join Nicole to hike this beautifully varied trail before winter sets in for good and the bears head out to hibernation. It is a club favorite for the vigorous exercise it affords and the beautiful varied views it offers a rushing creek bids us bon voyage, an invigorating ascent up the Cedar Ridge Trail gets our blood flowing, the gently rolling terrain of the MST along Bluff Mountain soothes our soul, and a 5-mile finish down the lovely Flat Rock Trail sets our imagination thirsting for a good replenishing meal. The whole shebang is a tad less than 17 miles. Due to the length of the hike, this outing is for experienced hikers only. Please don t forget to bring plenty of water and rain gear (although your humble leader is planning for sunny weather, the higher powers do not always meet with her wishes). We will stop in Elkin for dinner. Please contact Nicole and let her know you re coming and to get meeting places and times. Approximately 17 miles. +/-3500 feet. R-52

5 Outings Page 7 of 16 November 9, Saturday Appalachian Trail on Garden Mountain Burkes Garden, Va We will hike 12 miles on and off the Appalachian Trail around the rim of Garden Mountain. The elevation will be 3800 to 4400 feet. We should have some great views and maybe some wildlife encounters. The weather is quite unpredictable so bring plenty of layers. If you have hiking poles, kahtoolas and any blaze orange hats or clothing please bring that as well. I would rate this hike a 25 or so just because of some of the terrain. We will leave from Shoney s in Greensboro and from McDonalds at exit 118 on Highway 52 North near Winston. Please or call for meeting times, PHOC did a 7 day backpacking trip in the Wind River Range in WY during the first week in August. The Wind River Range is a wilderness range renowned for its pristine lakes and rugged mountain beauty. Starting at Big Sandy trail head, our group hiked the Haley Pass loop with numerous side trips. Scenery was incredible in every direction every day. November 13, Wednesday Night Walk See description on page 5 November 14, Thursday 6:30 pm Southern Roots Restaurant 119 East Main St, Jamestown, NC November 10, Sunday 1:30pm Lake Townsend Trail Greensboro Watershed Trails Let s meet at 1:30 PM for an easy, scenic hike along the wooded southern edge of Lake Townsend. From Battleground Ave or Lawndale, proceed east on Pisgah Church, continue east on Lees Chapel, bear left at Brightwood School, turn left at the T at Rudd Station Road, cross over the RR tracks and keep straight on South Shore Road for about 1/3 of a mile. Park in the gravel parking lot on your left. Allow about fifteen minutes drive time from Battleground. No need to call. [8 mi, R-8] November 11, Monday PHOC Monthly Meeting Jamestown, NC Please join us for our November meeting at the Piedmont Environmental Center on Penny Road in Jamestown. Meet for fellowship, snacks and soft drinks at 7pm, followed by Lyn Irving s 7:30pm presentation. Seven people including five from Please join Doris and me at a favorite local restaurant, Southern Roots, known for its American/ Southern cuisine, gluten-free friendly menu selections, and excellent wine list. The website is www. southernrootsfoods.com. Please RSVP to Doris or me by Wednesday, November 13, 6:00 p.m. November 16-17, Sat-Sun Backpacking Trip Mt Rogers National Recreation Area Winter + full moon = Mt Rogers backpacking trip. Exact route is dependent on weather conditions. Contact Matt for more information miles each day[r-cold] November 16, Saturday Chicken Walk Downtown Greensboro Join me for the inaugural Chicken Walk, Ending Homelessness One Leg at a Time, on November

6 Page 8 of 16 Outings 16th at 8:00 AM in Center City Park, a charity walk in downtown Greensboro. This event requires registration along with a $20 fee, which includes a T- shirt, lunch and a concert. The walk itself is 2 miles. Visit Facebook chickenwalkgreensboro or google chicken walk greensboro for registration. Contact me for more info about Club meeting place. November 16, Saturday Pilot Mountain Loop Pilot Mountain State Park Nine Miles at Pilot Mountain. We will start at the Ranger Station at the entrance and follow the Grassy Ridge Trail to Pinnacle Hotel Road. Here we pick up Mountain Trail, which leads us the base of the Mountain to Ledge Spring Trail. This hike is not for beginners. From Ledge Springs we will continue on to the Jomeokee Trail around the knob. As an alternative I will offer at least two scrambling alternatives depending on the wishes of the group. That means off trail! We finish the hike, after a brief stop at the stop of the mountain, down the Grindstone Trail, back to the Ranger Station where we started. Please call Ben for meeting place and time. [Approx 9 miles, R-25] November 16, Saturday Appalachian Trail Roan Highlands NC/TN Border This two-version hike will be on the popular section of the Appalachian Trail between Carvers Gap and US 19E. One group will start from US 19E and hike the 15 miles to Carvers Gap, climbing 5300 vertical feet. Another group will begin at Carvers Gap and cover the same 15 miles while climbing 2600 vertical feet even though their end point will be at a much lower elevation than their start. Both groups will meet up on the trail and exchange car keys, eliminating the need for a long shuttle. Views from the balds of the Roan highlands can be magnificent. Bring water, lunch and rain gear. Weather conditions can be unpredictable so be prepared for cold temperatures, snow and icy conditions. Please or call David for further details, meeting time and place, preferably prior to Friday before the hike. Uphill: 15 miles, 5300 feet [ R-68] Downhill: 15 miles, 2600 feet [R-41] November 17, Sunday at 1:30 Bald Eagle Trail Lake Higgins Watershed Trail Let s meet at 1:30 PM at the Lake Higgins watershed trailhead for an out and back total of 8 easy miles. Proceed North on 220 (aka Battleground Ave), past the turnoff at Owls Roost Road to Bur Mil Park, past the spillway at the bottom of the hill, and then left onto Hamburg Mill Road. Proceed past the Marina entrance gate at the top of the hill, and park in the gravel parking lot on the left just past the fence.[r-7] November 20, Wednesday Night Walk See description on page 5 November 23, Saturday Bluff Ridge/Flat Rock Ridge Trail Doughton Park This hike includes the demands of the steep Bluff Ridge primitive trail but also the viewing rewards of the southern section of the Bluff Mountain trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway and of the Flat Rock Ridge trail. Participants in this outing will enjoy recent improvements in the southern portion of the Bluff Mountain trail. Bring water and lunch and wear layered clothing. If interested in this outing, contact David, preferably by noon on Friday before the hike. (13 miles, 3300 feet, R46)

7 Outings Page 9 of 16 November 23, Saturday Stone Mountain This is a moderate Stone Mountain hike. We will leave from the Upper Parking Lot to the Outer Loop Trail, circling northeast to the top of Stone Mountain. We ll descend down the back of Stone Mountain to the Wolfe Rock Trail, and climb up to Wolfe Rock for Lunch. After getting back to the Outer Loop Trail, we will hike out to the Lower Falls, water levels permitting. We will proceed to the Stone Mountain Falls, up the stairs by the falls, to the parking lot. Approximately 9 miles, 1,700 feet, R 26 November 24, Sunday Lake Townsend trails Join us for a hike around part of Lake Townsend, using three of Greensboro s watershed trails Osprey, Blue Heron, and Peninsula. Let s meet at 12:30 PM at the Osprey Trail parking area on Yanceyville Road. The parking area is on the left traveling North, just before 4910 Yanceyville Rd. (Note: the parking area is about 0.25 miles south of the Townsend Trail trailhead). Bring water and snack [7.5 miles, R 9]. Call or us if you have questions. We ll ascend the rugged Profile Trail to the even more rugged Grandfather Trail, traversing a chute, multiple peaks and ladders, to the Swinging Bridge and then back down. Those who want to, will stop somewhere in Boone for dinner on the way back. Please or call for meeting times and places. 10 miles, +/ 4000 ft [R 50] November 30th, Saturday Hanging Rock State Park Our route will take us from the Visitor s Center to Hanging Rock then back to Wolfe Rock Trail. We will do the full length of this trail plus the Cook s Wall Trail out and back, descending on Magnolia Springs Trail to Moore s Knob Trail, up to the fire tower and down the stairs to the Visitor s Center. Participants choosing in advance not to hike the Moore s Knob section (+/- 7 miles, 1300 feet, R20) should make separate car-pool arrangements. Bring water, lunch and rain gear. Please call or for more details, meeting place and times. +/- 11 miles, 2200 feet, R 33 December 1, Sunday Uwharrie Trail Uwharrie National Forest November 27, Wednesday Night Walk See description page 5 November 30, Saturday Grandfather Mountain Profile Trail to Swinging Bridge Boone, NC The Land Trust for Central North Carolina has been acquiring property and building trail for the National Forest Service. We ll be hiking on recently opened trail, much of which was original Uwharrie Trail from the 60 s and 70 s. Our hike will be roughly a 7 mile shuttle hike. This hike is suited for all hikers. Bring lunch and the other essentials. Hike begins at 10am. Contact me for meeting places and times. 7 miles [R-10]

8 Page 10 of 16 Outings December 4, Wednesday Night Walk See description on page 5 December 8, Sunday 1:30 pm Reedy Fork, Laurel Bluff Loop December 7, Saturday Mountain-To-Sea Trail Jeffress Park to Jumpingoff Rocks This is an extended and shuttle version of the hike John Furnas led in the spring of this year on a section of the Mountains-To-Sea Trail in southern Ashe County and northern Wilkes County (about 30 miles south of Doughton Park via the Parkway). We will be starting from Cascade Falls at Jeffress Park and will walk 13 miles in the northerly direction of the parkway (thus covering a portion of the trail previously walked by John). The hike will end a couple of miles north of the intersection of NC 16 and the Parkway, not far south of Jefferson. With the leaves gone, expect some beautiful vistas, including views of some of our favorite peaks in North Carolina and Virginia. The trail is easy on the feet and gently rolling. We do not have the exact rating of this hike, but we estimate it to be between R29 and R33. Please call Nicole for meeting time(s) and place(s). December 7, Saturday Lake Brandt Greensboro Watershed Trails Join me for an 8 mile hike on the Nat Greene and Palmetto Trails. These are pretty trails with views of Lake Brandt. We will meet at the Lake Brandt Marina - Nat Greene watershed trailhead (on the left as you enter the marina parking lot) at 8:00am. Bring water and snack. Call or me if you have questions. [8 miles, R12] Let s enjoy watershed trails that Hubert Lathan helped make a club favorite -- the Reedy Fork and Laurel Bluff loop. Deep woods, lake views, gentle hills and low areas -- the route has a widely varied population of flora and creatures. And it is close by! Go north on Lake Brandt Road, past the Lake Brandt Marina and over the bridge. Park in the gravel parking lot on the right at the Reedy Fork Trailhead. questions, otherwise I ll see you at the trailhead. R-8 December 11, Wednesday Night Walk See description on page 5 December 14, Saturday Huckleberry Ridge Hanging Rock Have a great workout before the Christmas Party! We will be through by three which allows us to be back in Greensboro by four. Seven Miles at Hanging Rock. Starting at Torrey s Den and up towards Moore s Wall. After a mile and a half we go off trail to scramble up the spine of Moore s Wall. Expect to climb up big rocks and fight briars. Close to the top we rejoin the trail to the fire tower and start back down towards the visitor center. Here the fun continues as we will go off trail once again down the side of the mountain to the base of Moore s Wall. After another mile and a half or so we leave the climbers trail and back down to the Tory s Den parking lot. Kahtoolas are recommended. Maybe soup or something at my house afterwards, but that is to be determined. Call Ben for meeting place and time. Seven miles, R 32 for the scramble.

9 Outings Page 11 of 16 December 14, Saturday Eno River Western Trails Eno River State Park, Durham, NC This will be a brisk paced hike of 11 miles covering the trails on both sides of the river in this scenic state park. We will need to do a short shuttle to a different parking area in the middle of the day. While the elevation gain is moderate, the pace and distance will allow for a good workout. Please contact me for meeting details. [11miles, R24] December 14 Annual Holiday Party Saturday 6:00pm RH Barringer Distributing Co. Entertainment & Social Committee 1620 Fairfax Road Greensboro, NC RSVP via Social@PiedmontHikingandOutingclub.org Come on out and join the fun at RH Barringer Distributing Company at 1620 Fairfax Road in Greensboro. Thank you to Fred Craig for this location. The party starts at 6:00pm. The catered dinner will be at 6:30pm. You complained, we listened! This year we have a new caterer Visions of High Point promises to tantalize our taste buds. A complete dinner, soft drinks and hot coffee/tea after dinner will be provided. Bring your own adult beverage and a dessert to share if you like. Once again DJ Ryan Short will be spinning tunes for our listening pleasure before and during dinner, and for our dancing pleasure after dinner. Our goal is music that everyone feels compelled to get up and shake a leg. Please suggest your favorite tunes from any era or music genre to guide our DJ s selections. We can t promise to get to everyone s request, but Ryan will do his best to accommodate as many people as possible. Non-refundable cost of $15 per PHOC member or non-member guests (both guests and PHOC members both pay the holiday party fee). This event will be limited to the first 125 members and guests who submit their payment. After we reach 125 people there will be a waiting list and any cancellations will go to the wait list people, in date order. New this year Pay online with your credit card or Paypal account! Visit: Alternately, send your check or money order of $15 per attendee (guests and non-members) to: Piedmont Hiking & Outing Club P.O. Box Greensboro, NC December 15, Sunday at 1:30 Owls Roost Loop Bur Mil Park Lets meet at 1:30 PM at the Wildlife Center in Bur Mil Park and hike the Owls Roost watershed trail to the Greenway, and then back again, using the Fire Lane trail for part of the return trip. Proceed North on 220, past Horse Pen Creek Rd (on the left), then right at the traffic light at Owls Roost, and then left into Bur Mil Park. Bear right at the club house, park in the circular driveway at the bottom of the hill, just below the Wildlife Center. No need to call, but please do if you have questions. [7 mi, R-9]. December 18, Wednesday Night Walk See description on page December 21 Rock Castle Gorge A Christmas hike at Rock Castle, cold, snow, reindeer, Christmas Trees, Carols, (hopefully some Bob s and Bill s also), Holly, wreaths, and presents. A good time to be had by all. Also, the Zombie alert should be down to code yellow for the Holidays Milies R-39

10 Page 12 of 16 Outings December 22, Sunday Birkhead Wilderness Uwharrie National Forest January 1, 2014 Orientation for new members Beginning at the Tot Hill Road trailhead, we ll hike 7.5 miles and incorporate a short off trail walk to view the remains of Doud Mine. Our route passes another mine site and site of an old still in Fern Valley. Beginning at 10am, we should finish up by 2pm. Bring lunch and the other essentials. This hike is suitable for all hikers. Contact me for meeting times and places. 7 miles [R-9] December 28, Saturday Shortoff Mountain Rim of Linville Gorge The out-and-back route of this hike begins at NC 126 west of Morganton, ascends Shortoff Mountain via the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, and includes stops at informal overlooks on the rim of the southern end of Linville Gorge. On clear days, views down to Lake James are magnificent, and the vista of Mount Mitchell and the other peaks of the Black Mountains to the west is perhaps the best from any hiking route used by the club. This outing is an excellent one for viewing Linville Gorge from south to north without braving the steep, rugged trails into that hiking wonderland. Bring water and lunch and wear layered clothing. If interested in this hike, contact David, preferably by noon on Friday before the outing. (11 miles, 2500 feet, R37) 9:30 am Hanging Rock State Park, Visitor Center Today we will do two important things. The first is the opportunity to get an orientation to the Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club. Let s meet in the warm environs of the Visitor Center at Hanging Rock State Park. There, leaders of the club will explain our many opportunities for hikes of every difficulty. We will also introduce kayaking, biking and other outings, both nearby and throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains. We will discuss gear that we recommend as well as provide the information you need to keep up with all the opportunities we offer. PHOC Annual First Day Hike: 10:30 am Hanging Rock State Park, Visitor Center For members and those graduates from the orientation we will celebrate the New Year by climbing to the top of Hanging Rock. On a clear winter day the views can be striking. Those who wish can go straight down, for a brisk four mile hike. Others can latch onto the Wolfe Rock Trail and add miles, up to a 9 mile hike to Cook s Wall and Moore s Knob for additional fine views. Either way your heart will thank you for a healthy start to the year, and you might meet some folks you ll enjoy knowing for a long time. December 29, Sunday PEC Let s meet at 9am at the Piedmont Environment Center for a lovely Sunday morning hike along the lake shore trails. No need to call unless you have questions. Approx. 7 1/2 miles.