TRAILMARKER The Piedmont Hiking & Outing Club Newsletter May June 2011 Since 1982 Volume 29, Number 3 On the AT near Salem, VA ready for an assault on Dragon s Tooth Visit us on the web http://www.piedmonthikingandoutingclub.org/
Page 2 of 16 News Monday Night Power Walks Are Back!!! It is time to bring back the Monday night power walks! Our objective is a good cardiovascular workout. We will walk 7 miles on the city greenway maintaining at least a 4.5 mph pace. If you are working up to this pace, we will catch you on the way back since it is usually an out and back. Please email or call if you plan to attend as we vary our start time and route. Hope to see you there!
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. A hike rated 20 isn t a whole lot harder or easier than hikes rated 18 or 22. But a 20 will definitely be about twice as hard as a 10. And a 30 will be about three times harder than a 10. In general, here s how the ratings work: 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 R3. The 7 mile hike along the Nat Greene and Piedmont Trails at Lake Brandt in Greensboro is an R8, as is the loop trail around Salem Lake in Winston-Salem. Outings Protocol Outings Let the outing leader know you are going to attend. Arrive at least 5-10 minutes early for the outing. If you carpool-pay your driver for gas. (A suggested amount is $3.00 for each hour of driving.) Always take snacks, lunch, and plenty of water. Always pack rain gear. Bring extra clothes to change into after the hike. 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. Remember, your participation is at your own risk. Every Wednesday Night Walk and Dinner Piedmont Environmental Center R10-R20 Most of these hikes will be in the lower mountains and foothills. Distances will be about 5-8 miles, with climbs ranging from 500-1000 feet...not easy if you re new to hiking! Trails will be dirt and rock, and not well groomed. As long as you re in moderately good shape, you should be able to enjoy the outing. At a minimum, you should carry water, lunch, and rain gear. Our hikes are usually less strenuous than those offered on and frequently fall into this range. R20-R30 hikes most often fall into this range. 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. R30-R40 These are strenuous hikes. They will usually be 10+ miles, with climbs of 2000+ feet. The Wednesday walkers will meet every Wednesday evening in the parking lot at the Piedmont Environmental Center at 6:30 PM for a brisk walk before dinner. Rain or shine, the group will go to dinner after the walk. NC-68 PIEDMONT ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER I-40 Wendover Ave. Penny Road 1220 Penny Rd, High Point E. Fork Rd.
Outings Page 5 of 16 May 1 Piedmont Watershed Trail Lake Brandt Lets meet at 1:30 PM and hike the Piedmont watershed trail out and back for a total of 6 easy miles. Proceed north on Lake Brandt Road past the Marina on the left, cross over the bridge at the dam, and park in the gravel parking lot on the left. [6 mi, R-7]. and in the in the same rating range. On the way back, we can stop at Elkin s new eating experience, Mis Arados; the same Mis Arados that we know and love in Sparta. We will meet at Shoney s in Greensboro at 8:00 am and at Jonestown Road McDonald at 8:30 am. Please call Nicole and let her know you're coming. [12.6 miles. +/-2000 feet. R-33] May 2 Monday Night Power Walk May 7 Pilot Mountain State Park Loop Pilot Mt. in Surry County NC May 4 Wednesday Night Walk and Dinner May 7 Doughton Park Flat Rock and Grassy Gap For those of you who are new to the club and not acquainted with Doughton Park, this hike is the perfect opportunity to explore this little gem of a park; for those of you who like me are in love with it, it is your opportunity to return once more to hiking haven; and for those of you contemplating Dale Dagenbach s Figure 8 hike, which my spies tell me is coming up in June, it is your opportunity to warm up, case the joint, and look around you before tackling, a month later, what I call the Dagenbach insane experience. In any case, it is May, the birds are singing, the bears are roaming the land, and the streams are babbling. I guarantee good weather and good company. We will hike up the Flat Rock Trail and down Grassy Gap (otherwise known as the Horse Trail). This hike is a loop of 12.6 miles with approximately 2000+ feet (or so) of cumulative elevation gain. Note that there are a few streams to cross; so poles may be in order for some of you. Note that should the parkway work still be underway, and the two trails remain closed, we will modify this hike but still keep it at Doughton Park This loop starts at the Grassy Ridge Trail and goes to Pinnacle Hotel Road. It continues on the Mountain Trail, Ledge Spring Trail, and circles the knob on the Jomeokee Trail. After a snack at the southern overlook at the top parking lot we will start down the mountain on the Grindstone Trail. This is a moderate challenge for hikers, but it is not for beginners. Meet in Greensboro at 8:30 AM at Shoney s or at the ranger station parking lot at 9:30 AM. Bring water and a snack. [8.5 miles; +/- 1570 ; R25+ May 8 Laurel Bluff and Reedy Fork Reedy Fork Creek Lets meet at 1:30 PM and hike the Laurel Bluff and Reedy Fork watershed trails. Proceed north on Lake Brandt Road, past the Marina on the left, cross over the bridge at the dam, and park in the gravel parking lot on the right. [7 mi, R-8]. May 9 Monday Night Power Walk Tonight s walk may/will be at the PEC...
Page 6 of 16 Outings May 9 Monday May meeting Piedmont Environmental Center Meet for refreshments and fellowship at 7:00 PM. The evening presentation will begin at 7:30 PM. Mickey Walker will do a photo presentation on the PHOC hiking trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California. Join us as we hike up and into dormant volcanoes. All members are welcome and there is no need to RSVP. A map to the PEC is on page 4. May 11 Wednesday Night Walk and Dinner May 14 at 2 PM Recreational Volleyball Belews Lake, NC Got Game? Enjoy a private, local, sandy, waterfront setting for some coed recreational volleyball centrally located in the Triad at Belews Lake from 2 PM to sunset. Bring your flip-flops, cooler (BYOB), & $5 for an afternoon pizza contribution, volleyball provided. Contact Charlotte Smith for access and map information as the date approaches. For PHOC members and their guests only. Boating access also welcome. May 14 Black Mountain Crest Trail Mt Mitchell Area This is an out-and-back hike on the Black Mountain Crest Trail from Mt Mitchell to a scenic lunch spot near Gibbs Mt. This trail has the reputation of being the most rugged in the southeast with ups and downs all day across multiple 6000-foot peaks. In addition to Mt Mitchell, we will cross Mt Craig, Big Tom, Balsam Cone, Cattail Peak, Potato Hill, and Winterstar. The trail north of Winterstar may not be well maintained and the hiker should expect overgrowth in some sections. This is a very difficult hike with a lot of elevation gain, rocky terrain, and is for strong experienced hikers only. Weather is extremely variable at this altitude, so bring rain gear and plenty of water. Expect to leave early, hike about nine hours, and return late. Please email for meeting time and place. [12 miles, +/- 4200 ft, R54] May 14 Scott Ridge/Cedar Ridge Trails Stone Mountain and Doughton Parks This outing will include two separate hikes, but participants will drive to and from the Stone Mountain/Doughton Park area together. The shorter route with less elevation gain will be up and back on the excellent, mountain-laurel-lined Cedar Ridge trail at Doughton Park to Brinegar cabin, where the hikers in that group will eat their packed lunches. The longer hike will use the Mountains-to -Sea trail on the slopes of Green Mountain as a connector between Stone Mountain and Doughton parks. The longer route up to the Blue Ridge Parkway will be through the backpack campsites at Stone Mountain park and along Scott Ridge, where mountain laurels will likely be in bloom. That group will stop for lunch at Devils Garden overlook on the parkway. From there, the longer route will be on the MST to Brinegar cabin at Doughton Park. The descent to Long Bottom Road for participants in the longer hike, as well as those in the shorter hike, will be via Cedar Ridge trail. All but one of the cars on the outing will be awaiting both groups of hikers at the Long Bottom Road parking area, Please update your email address!!
Outings Page 7 of 16 Please update your email address!! where beverages of choice will be served. Bring water, lunch, and rain gear. Contact David if interested in this outing. (Cedar Ridge only - 9 mi, 2400 ft, R 33; Scott Ridge & Cedar Ridge - 15 mi, 3500 ft, R 50) May 15 May 15 DEADLINE FOR MAY 28 CAMPING EVENT. Galax to Fries Bike Ride New River Trail State Park, VA This will be a two-option, out-and-back ride at Virginia s New River Trail State Park - one of the southeast s best rails-to-trails conversions. On the route from Galax to the small settlement of Fries, the riders doing the 35-mile option will cross 12 railroad trestles, including the 1089-foot Fries Junction Trestle, and pedal through the 193-foot Chestnut Creek Tunnel, the longest tunnel on the trail. Outing participants for whom the longer route is more strenuous than desired can opt for the 24-mile ride, proceed at a slower pace, and eat lunch at a riverside picnic area where Chestnut Creek meets the New River. Those riders will also experience the Chestnut Creek Tunnel and the Fries Junction Trestle. The long-ride group and the shortride group should be back at the Galax parking area at approximately the same time. There is a nominal parking fee at Galax. The trail requires durable tires. Individuals interested in the outing should contact David. May 15 Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway Bike Ride Greensboro Meet at the Spenser Love Tennis Center parking lot (behind Lewis Recreation Center) at 1 p.m. for a leisurely bike ride to Bur-Mil Park and beyond on the paved greenway through pines, hardwoods, past wildflowers and over Lake Brandt on trestles. Bring plenty of water and snacks. Please call/email to let me know that you are coming. May 15 Lake Townsend Trails Greensboro, NC We will take a gentle walk along the Peninsula, West House, and Osprey trails, for a tad over 8 miles. We will accommodate everybody s walking pace. Meet a few minutes before 1:30 pm on the small dirt parking lot across from the Peninsula trailhead on the lefthand side, traveling North, of North Church Street. For directions, call or email Nicole. Paula promises the caressing breezes and gentle sun of a mid-may afternoon; as for Nicole, she is no longer weighing in on the weather as her credibility has been repeatedly shredded to pieces by reality and is thus relying on Paula s trustworthiness. Please call Paula to let her know you are coming (see contact info at the head of this write-up). [8.4 miles; R10] May 16 Monday Night Power Walk May 18 Wednesday Night Walk and Dinner May 19-22 Camping/Kayaking - Portsmouth Island Thursday to Outer Banks, NC We will cabin camp and kayak a weekend on Portsmouth Island. We will catch the 3 PM ferry on Thursday, and take the 11:45 AM ferry off on. The ferry ride is an enjoyable 30 minutes or so on the
Page 8 of 16 Outings Core Sound. I have three ferry slots reserved for vehicles and extra gear can be put on the deck of the ferry. Depending on the number of kayaks, I may reserve a 4th slot for the kayak trailer. Details include: Two connecting cabins are already rented at the far north end of the cabin area, so we will have the entire building, covered porch, and be able to have meals together, a lot easier than moving back and forth. Each cabin has electricity, a bathroom with sink and shower, and a kitchen area with a gas stove and sink, and cabinets. We take all our cooking gear and food and keep everything in coolers, as there is no refrigerator. Ice is sold on the island. The cabins are within 25 yards of the beach, in the dunes. There are six beds in each cabin's open area, which are usually set up as bunk beds to save space. There is a limit of 12 people for this trip. Expect the possibility that there will be men and women in each cabin, depending on who signs up. I already paid for the ferry slots and the cabins out of pocket. The cost for three nights and for the ferry (people and vehicles) is expected to be about $125/per person. Food and gas are additional and will be worked out. I will be pulling a new kayak trailer to the coast, and be able to carry 6, possibly 8 kayaks. Kayaking and fishing in both the ocean and the sound are easily accessible. You need a coastal fishing license to fish. The first checks I get will hold your spot. If you pay and then need to back out, you will need to find someone to take your spot. My address to mail the $125 deposit is above. Let me know if you want to take your 4wd over on the ferry and drive on the beach. I expect to have 3 SUV s or trucks to carry people and gear on the island. There will be a dog going with us. If you want to bring a dog, please contact me first. May 20, 21, 22 Smoky Mountains Weekend Friday,, Gatlinburg, TN On the weekend of May 20, 21, 22 we are planning a trip to Gatlinburg, TN. We will make final decision regarding exact trails on Friday night. There should be a couple of choices for particular tastes. My plan is to leave from Greensboro early Friday and return on. (Several people indicate that they may stay through night.) We should be able to experience wildflowers and hopefully no sleet this time! My initial estimated cost for this trip will is $100.00 to $150.00. The plan is for this cost to cover two nights at a group cabin and some meals. Some pot luck meals are open to people that would be willing to help. Spaces are limited to 18 people and a nonrefundable deposit of $50.00 deposit will secure a space. Pat Kennedy and Lynette Tullos will co-lead the trip. The group cabin has already been secured with deposit. We have only a couple of spaces left. Email your interest to and in turn I will confirm and advise address for deposit. Thank you, Lynette. May 21 Indian Creek Trail Hanging Rock State Park Let s go on a hike close to home today on one of the less crowded trails at Hanging Rock. Beginning at the Dan River trailhead, we will walk alongside beautiful Indian Creek with a few easy stream crossings. The trail carries us through mature rhododendron groves which hopefully will be in full bloom. On the way up we will take time to explore both Window Falls and Hidden Falls, and again on the way back down if you wish. After enjoying the falls, we will continue on to the lake where we will have lunch before beginning our return. This is an easy/moderate hike, good for the beginner or seasoned veterans, and will be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. Please email for meeting time and place, or if you have questions. [8.5 miles; +/- 1000 feet; R19]
Outings Page 9 of 16 May 22 American Tobacco Trail Bike Ride New Hill, NC May 23 Monday night Power Walk The missing link of this trail was completed during the summer and the trail is now open for 13.5 miles from our starting point. Riders can ride this entire section, out and back (27 miles), in about 3 hours. Slower riders can ride a portion and turn around wherever you d prefer. There are nice restrooms at the start point (milepost 0) and at another access point at milepost 5. No water is available though. Surface is partially paved but mostly packed cinder. However, there a section of packed gravel about milepost 11 which road bikes will find really annoying and may have to turn back at that point. Comfort, hybrid and mountain bikes will do fine. There are a few picnic tables at the trailhead if you d like to arrive early and enjoy some lunch. We ll meet at the trailhead at 12:15 PM. Contact Jim if you are coming and interested in a possible carpool or caravan. Directions to the trailhead: From Pittsboro, Jordan Lake and points west, go east on U.S. 64 to the N.C. 751 light. Turn right, or south, go two miles to the gravel drive on the left, shortly after the Beaver Creek bridge. See the blue Wake County Parks sign. May 22 Gibson Park Greensboro Meet at 1:30 at Gibson Park for a 5 mile walk on the Greenway and lakeside through the woods. This is a scenic and peaceful jaunt; relaxing and invigorating. Go West out Wendover; about 3.1 miles after crossing 1-40, take a left into Gibson Park and follow the park road to the end (about 1/2 mile), to the parking lot by the restrooms, water fountain and picnic tables. [5 miles, R-7] May 25 Wednesday night Walk and Dinner May 28 Canoe the New River, camping optional New River, NC south fork It is time for another annual canoe trip on the south fork of the New River (North Carolina). We will leave Shoney s (I 40 & NC 68) at 7:30 AM. As in the past our 10 mile paddle starts at Zaloo s Canoes. Midway we will stop for lunch at New River State Park. There you will find restrooms and drink machines. Zaloo will bus us back to Zaloo s and our cars where we can change clothes before heading to Mountain Air Steak and Seafood for dinner. Please e-mail me if you are going to paddle and/or eat with us. For those who wish to rent a canoe, call Zaloo s at 1-800-535-4027 ($47.00 per boat w/ paddles and life jackets or $44 for a one man kayak) If you have your own boat, we will work out a shuttle or pay Zaloo s for the service. We will not be stopping along the way to Zaloo s to insure we are there at 10:00 AM and on the water at 10:30 AM. Bring water, drinks, food, rain gear and sunscreen to carry on the river. Remember to have dry clothes to leave in the car. You may stay and camp if you like. Please let me know if you are interested in car camping at Raccoon Holler and night. Camping is $10.00 each per night in the group site. hike TBD. I will need to know if you are camping by May 15.
Page 10 of 16 Outings May 28 Mitchell Loop Mt Mitchell State Park end the hike at the main lodge with access to restrooms and water. Meet at the Mt Shepherd Lodge at 9:30 am or contact me and we ll try to arrange a carpool from Winston-Salem and Greensboro. [4.8 miles R18] If you are unable to go to the beach over the holiday, let's go to the Black Mountains! We will start at the Ranger HQ and hike across Commissary Ridge to Maple Camp Bald. There we will have lunch at one of the most scenic mountain vistas in the East (Honestly). Then we will hike up Big Tom Gap to the Crest Trail. Continuing up Big Tom, we will hike across the TWO highest peaks east of the Rockies; Mt Craig and Mt Mitchell. On a clear day we can see for 80 miles! After visiting the observation deck and concession stand on Mt Mitchell, we take the "Old Mitchell Trail" down to the cars. A dinner stop will be a nice reward after the hike. Please bring minimum two liters of water, snacks, lunch, rain gear, and camera. About half of this trail is considered "rugged", with uneven walking surface both uphill and downhill. Please email for meeting place and times. Email early for the best Tee Times. This hike will be limited to 16 hikers. [10 miles, R35] May 29 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 drive way at the bottom of the hill. No need to call. [R-9]. May 30 Monday night Power Walk June 1 Wednesday night Walk and Dinner May 28 Mt Shepherd Asheboro June 4 Tanawha Trail Blue Ridge Parkway We ll walk the Loop Trail around Mt Shepherd (2.8 miles) and then head up the mountain (2.0 mi round trip) and access the observation tower on top. At 1156 Mt Shepherd is the highest point in Randolph County. You ll want to skip this part if you fear heights since the tower is 120, well above the surrounding trees. Clear day views extend to Hanging Rock, Mt Pilot and all of the Triad cities. Mt Shepherd Retreat is privately owned and located 6 miles west of Asheboro, off Rte 64. We ll start and Hike the entire 13.2 miles of the Tanawha Trail, starting at Beacon Heights parking area BRP milepost 305.5 to Price Park Campground. The trail parallels the BRP its entire distance, ascending to some nice vistas and descending as it makes it s way through the unique ecological area around Grandfather Mountain and the Linn Cove Viaduct. Hike through rhododendron tunnels, boulder fields and over the 200 foot Rough Ridge boardwalk. We ll arrange a car shuttle. Restrooms at the start, finish
Outings Page 11 of 16 and at Linn Cove Viaduct visitors center 1.5 miles into the hike. Remember to bring the essentials: raingear, lunch, snacks, water, camera for the wildflowers etc. Shoney s in Greensboro at 6:45 AM, McDonald s in Winston -Salem at 7:15 AM. Call or e-mail me so I know who to expect. Important reminder and apology to furry hikers: Sorry pooches, but dogs are not permitted on one of the environmentally sensitive areas of the trail. Park personnel have been keen to enforce this on previous hikes. [13.2 miles, +/-2600 feet + rough terrain, R-40] June 4 National Trails Day Bur Mil-Park, Greensboro, NC Join fellow club members on your choice of two hikes, a 10.5 mile loop of Lake Brandt, or a 5.3 mile stroll down the Greenway with a loop on the Palmetto and Nat Greene trails. PHOC will lead these two hikes as a part of National Trails Day activities sponsored by the City of Greensboro s Parks and Recreation Department. This well attended event draws participants interested in many outdoor activities and features booths by outdoor groups and vendors starting at 7:00 AM and continuing until noon. Lunch is also provided. A 7:30 AM start for the long hike and 8:00 AM for the shorter one. Both hikes start from the Wildlife Center at Bur-Mil. [10.5 miles; R14] or [5.3 miles; R7] June 5 June meeting Bur-Mil Park, Greensboro, NC Meet for PIZZA and fellowship at 2:00 PM at Shelter #7 in Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro on SUNDAY. The business portion of the program will begin at 2:30 PM. Shortly thereafter Patty Balboni and Arlene Balzano will offer a participatory yoga demonstration. Please bring a mat or towel. The Club will provide pizza, soda, cups, plasticware and napkins. RSVP's are not required, but will be appreciated (Helps us know how many pizzas to order). Feel free to bring horseshoes, volleyball, lawn chairs, best friends, etc. Bur-Mil Park policy prohibits consumption and possession of alcoholic beverages. June 6 Monday night Power Walk June 8 Wednesday night Walk and Dinner June 10, 11, 12 Friday to Kayak/Canoe/Camping New River State Park Join us for an outing on the river at New River State Park near West Jefferson. This is not the section of the New River we paddle near Zoloos. To be flexible, you can join us for any of 3 scenarios: 1 - Camp Friday night at 221 Access Campground. Paddle 15 miles and camp at Allegheny Access Campground. On, paddle 4 miles and return to Greensboro by late afternoon. 2 Meet us morning to do the rest of the trip. 3 Meet us morning to boat 9 miles and return home evening and skip camping. The trip is appropriate for novice and up. Call or email for details. June 11 Rhododendron Gap Grayson Highlands State Park, VA The hike will begin at Massie Gap, follow the northbound Appalachian Trail beyond Scales to the Pine Mountain trail, and pass through Rhododendron Gap before again intersecting with the Appalachian Trail. Near that point, hikers will be able to choose between scrambling on the rocky Wilburn Ridge trail or skirting the ridge via the Appalachian Trail on the way back to Massie Gap. The favorite stop for supper following this hike is Mis Arados, an excellent family-owned restaurant in Sparta. Individuals interested in this outing should contact me, David Memory, about details. Bring water, lunch, and rain gear. [11 miles, 1800 feet of elevation gain, R31] June 11 Granite Formations and Waterfalls Stone Mountain State Park
Page 12 of 16 Outings The route of this outing passes over Wolf Rock and Stone Mountain and goes by three waterfalls. The moderate pace of the hike will allow for photography and for examination of some of the most impressive geologic features of Stone Mountain State Park. We can reasonably hope that showy Catawba rhododendrons and regal Rose Bay rhododendrons will enhance the beauty of the terrain covered during the day. Individuals interested in the outing should contact John for details. Bring lunch, plenty of water, and rain gear. (8 miles, 1400 ft elevation gain, R 22) June 12 Foster Falls to Draper Bike Ride New River Trail State Park, VA This will be a two-option, out-and-back ride at Virginia s New River Trail State Park one of the southeast s best rails-to-trails conversions. In addition to the cliffs on the south side of the river, known as the Palisades of the New River, a highlight of the ride is the 951-foot Hiwassee Trestle, where participants doing the 26-mile ride will have their lunch. After viewing several miles of Claytor Lake, the riders who choose the faster-paced, 36-mile option will reach their turnaround point and lunch spot at the small town of Draper. The long-ride group and the short-ride group should be back at the Foster Falls parking area at approximately the same time. There is a nominal parking fee at Foster Falls. The trail requires durable tires. Individuals interested in the outing should contact David. hike on one of Greensboro's Watershed Trails. Participants should bring a snack, plenty of water, and wear appropriate clothing to be outside. The orientation and outing should wrap up no later than 5:00 PM. If you need additional information please contact Patty or Dale. June 12 Tanawha Trail Grandfather Mountain We'll hike the most scenic section of the Tanawha Trail, starting at Beacon Heights parking area (BRP mile post 305.5) to Boone Fork parking area. The trail parallels the BRP its entire distance, ascending to some nice vistas and descending as it makes its way through the unique ecological area around Grandfather Mountain and the Linn Cove Viaduct, through massive boulder fields, and over the 200 foot Rough Ridge boardwalk. We ll arrange a car shuttle. Restrooms at the Linn Cove Viaduct visitors center 1.5 miles into the hike. Remember rain gear, lunch, snacks, water; bring an extra layer for warmth just in case. For those interested, dinner at Amalfi's in North Wilkesboro on the way home. Email me for meeting time and place. [8.5 miles, 1000 feet elevation gain, 5.75 hours of hiking, LOTS OF BOULDER TERRAIN, R30] June 13 Monday night Power Walk June 15 Wednesday night Walk and Dinner June 12 New Member Orientation Lake Higgins Marina, Greensboro, NC June 17 Friday Moon Light Paddle Belews Lake Prospective, recent, and new members will meet at 1:30 PM in the small conference room at Lake Higgins Marina on Hamburg Mill Road in Greensboro. Participants will hear about the PHOC, its opportunities, appropriate gear for PHOC hikes, and what to expect on the trail. The classroom orientation should take about 45 minutes. Afterward, the group will have the opportunity to take a short Weather permitting lets meet at Village Pizza in Stokesdale at 6:30 PM for dinner. After dinner we will head out to enjoy a moon light paddle on Belews Lake. The restaurant is located at 8302 Belews Creek Road, Stokesdale, NC 27357. Those wishing only to paddle can meet us at Village Pizza at 7:30 PM. Launch site will depend on how many paddle. You will need your boat, paddle,
Outings Page 13 of 16 PFD and light stick or some other light source to have on your boat. Don t forget a change of dry clothing. Nicole s. Email me to let me know you are hiking with us, or if you have questions. *9 mi, +1600, R27+ June 18 South Mountains State Park Morganton, NC Area June 18 Doughton Trilogy Part II: Figure 8 Doughton Park, NC As the summer is getting into gear, Jay and Nicole are planning a joint outing to South Mountains State Park, a perfect venue for hiking at this time of year. Note that this park is south of I-40 and the temperature in warm weather is a tad above its sister environment to the north and the air carries also a tad more humidity; thus having plenty of water is absolutely essential on both versions. Nicole s hike -- Chestnut Knob/Horse Ridge/ Possum/Shinny: On this version of the hike, the first sustained climb starts very early after starting out and another worthy one, to use Jon Maxwell s immortal words, awaits you two-thirds into the hike, before the terrain levels out on the horse trail and descends back to the trailhead via the cooling spray of the waterfall. Last but not least, as many of you know, the main attraction of this outing is the post-hike dinner at Yiannis in Morganton; so, unless you have a very (and I mean very) hot date that night or an offer to dine with Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, and the Dalai Lama, I encourage you to join us for this unique dining experience. Meet at Shoney s at 8:00 a.m. or behind the McDonald restaurant at the I-40 exit 184 Lewisville/Clemmons Rd (left at the top of the ramp) at 8:30 a.m. Please call to let Nicole know you are coming [12 miles, 2600 ft, R39] Jay s hike -- Chestnut Knob/High Shoals Falls: Join me as we head up to South Mountains with Nicole s crew. We will head out the same trail as her group and return about the same time but take a somewhat different loop that will give us a good sampling of all this park has to offer. Our hike, though, will be about three miles shorter, with less elevation gain, and enjoyed at a moderate pace. We will pass by a spectacular 80 foot waterfall and take in the sights from Chestnut Knob Overlook, one of the highest peaks in the park and the surrounding area. Bring lunch, rain gear, and plenty of water. Dinner at Yiannis in Morganton with Nicole s group before returning. Meeting times and locations are the same as Last fall we did the first of three new hikes in Doughton Park the Heart of Doughton. The next part of the Doughton Trilogy will be the Figure 8. We'll go up the Primitive Trail, down Cedar Ridge, up Flat Rock, and down Grassy Gap. This is a very LONG and DIFFICULT hike with lots of ELEVATION GAIN that only the certifiable should attempt. Bring lots of water, lunch, snacks, and raingear. Call or email for meeting times and places. Stay tuned for part 3 of the trilogy -- Doughton's Inferno. [25 mil +/- 4900 ; R74+ June 19 Lake Brandt Loop Greensboro Watershed Trails Meet at 1:30 p.m. at Bur-Mil Park, near the Wildlife Center at the end of the road/bottom of the hill. This is a pleasant and invigorating 8.5-mile stroll around the lake, using 1.3 miles of the greenway and the rest in the lakeside woods of the Nat Greene and Piedmont Trails. Short rest at the marina. A local club favorite. [R-12] June 20 Monday night Power Walk June 22 Wednesday night Walk and Dinner June 25 Heartbreak Ridge/Pinnacle Trails Pisgah National Forest - Old Fort, NC This hike will take us up Heartbreak Ridge, with beautiful views of the valley beyond Montreat, and along a short portion of the old Toll Road toward the Blue Ridge Parkway. Just before reaching the parkway, we will cut off the Toll Road trail and ascend Blue Ridge Pinnacle for 360- degree views including Mount Mitchell and other peaks of
Page 14 of 16 PHOC Officers and Committee Members the Black Mountains, the Craggy Gardens area, and even Table Rock above Linville Gorge. Although the climb to the base of Pinnacle is long, it is relatively gentle. The ascent of Pinnacle itself is steep but short. Yiannis in Morganton is usually the chosen supper stop. Contact David if interested in this outing. [14 mi, 4000 feet, R54] June 25 Basin Creek Trail to Caudill Cabin Doughton Park Late June is an ideal time for making the 18 crossings up beautiful Basin Creek to Caudill Cabin at Doughton Park, adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway northwest of Elkin. The tiny cabin, which was part of the once-thriving Basin Cove community, sits picturesquely more than 800 feet below Wildcat Rocks an overlook accessible by car from the parkway. We can reasonably hope that lateblooming and magnificent Rose Bay rhododendrons will still be gracing the waterfall-punctuated trail on June 25. Hikers who want to wade in one of the inviting natural pools in Basin Creek will have time to do so. Beer and sodas will be awaiting outing participants at the Longbottom Road parking lot following the hike. Individuals interested in this outing should contact Paula for details. Bring lunch, rain gear, and plenty of water. (10 miles, 1600 feet of elevation gain, R 26) June 26 Lake Townsend Trail Greensboro Watershed Trails Lets 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 of your left. [8 mi, R-8] June 27 Monday night Power Walk June 29 Wednesday night Walk and Dinner