TRAILMARKER The Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club Newsletter March-April 2014 Since 1982 Volume 32 Number 2 High Shoals Falls at South Mts. State Park January 25, 2014 Visit us on the Web http://www.piedmonthikingandoutingclub.org Courtesy of Matt Perry
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 s 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 500-1000 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 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. Outings Piedmont Environmental Center Map R30-R40 These are strenuous hikes. They will usually be 10+ miles, with climbs of 2000+ 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.
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. March 1 South Mountain State Park, Morganton, NC This scenic hike will include part of the Shinny Trail and a beautiful 80-foot waterfall. Expect some stiff elevation climbs. Dinner in Morganton for those who are interested. Please call or email by noon on Friday if you plan to join the hike. Please note: This hike is still in the planning phase, and may be modified from this write-up. 8 miles, approx. 2600 feet (R-34) March 2 Sunday Bill Craft Trail Greensboro Watershed Trails March 1 Roan MountainT-Hike Overmountain Victory Trailhead This is a T-Hike from Roaring Creek Rd in the Roan Highlands and right then left on the AT. This is the trail that goes up to the Overmountain Barn Shelter. From the Jonestown Parking area it is approximately 120 miles to the Trailhead. The hike length is dependent upon conditions. It may be as long as 17 miles and 5000 vertical. A second version is 13 miles and 4000 Vertical. If there is snow we may only do 9.5 miles and 2800 Vertical. There will be many views along the way as we cross over many Balds in both directions. Views of Grandfather Mountain, Beech Mountain, Table Rock and the Black Mountain Range can be spectacular if the conditions are right. Bring water, lunch, traction devices and wear layered clothing. If interested contact Rick no later than Friday February 28th at noon. (Rating 70+ for the long version and 40+ for the short version) Join us for a hike on one of Guilford County s newest trails the Bill Craft trail. The trail goes from Plainfield Rd to Northern Guilford Middle School. The trail has several wetlands created by beaver dams. It also features observation decks, an outdoor classroom, many trail bridges, and features many trail building methods to make it a great trail to take a walk in the woods. Let s meet at 1:00 PM at the Plainfield Rd parking area. The parking area is on the right about 1 mile West of Church Street (or 2.1 miles going East from the intersection with Lake Brandt Rd and on the left) (Note: Plainfield Rd intersects with Church St just North of the Reedy Fork trailhead). Bring water and snack [6.4 miles, R10]. Call or E-Mail us if you have questions. March 5
Page 6 of 16 Outings March 8 Hanging Rock Hanging Rock State Park March 9 Sunday at 1:00 Salem Lake Winston-Salem Seven Miles at Hanging Rock. Starting at Tory 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. Absolutely beautiful views in all directions from this ridge line hike! 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. Call Ben for meeting place and time. Seven miles, R 32, because of the scramble. March 8 Hanging Rock State Park A Stout and Beautiful Hanging Rock Adventure! Let s start by the Dan River and the Indian Creek Trailhead, and check out the first buds of spring, and maybe a critter or two appearing from the south or out from its winter slumber. The Indian Creek Trail crosses the creek several times, and climaxes with two waterfalls that should be full and beautiful. After a snack or lunch in the picnic area, let s gather our energies and hike up to the top of Hanging Rock for the great view that it offers. We will retrace our steps, checking out the falls and other attractive spots a second time. (11.5 miles, 2,200 feet change in elevation R34) Let s hope for a sunny day to walk the seven miles around Salem Lake. The trail is wide and relatively flat. We will walk at a moderate speed. Meet at the Marina at 1:00. No need to call unless you have questions. Email me if you need directions. (7 miles R8) March 10 Monday, 7 PM Monthly Meeting Piedmont Environmental Center The March meeting will be held at Piedmont Environmental Center on Penny Rd. in Jamestown. Meet at 7:00 PM for refreshments and fellowship with the business and featured program beginning at 7:30 PM. The March program is Yoga for Hikers, led by our own Patty Balboni. Come prepared to move in loose fitting clothing or exercise/yoga duds. This gentle stretch from head to toe will focus on feet, shoulders and hamstrings and will demonstrate stretches for before, during and after a hike. Bring a yoga mat or beach towel, a hiking pole, a tennis ball (if you have one) and a strap or belt at least six feet long. Or, just come you will be glad you did. March 12, March 15 8.5 miles R-26 Pilot Mountain S.P. Join me for a hike close to home at Pilot Mountain State Park. We will start at the Ranger station on Grassy Ridge Trail to the Mountain Trail up to
Outings Page 7 of 16 the Ledge Spring Trail. We will have a snack at the overlook at the top parking lot before starting the journey down the mountain on the Grindstone Trail. Contact me for meeting time and location. March 15 Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Greensboro This is an historical lecture and hike that reviews the events of March 15, 1781 when General Nathanael Greene s revolutionary army was defeated by Lord Cornwallis s British troops. This battle led directly to the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia on October 19, just seven months later. We will view a film, a map lecture, the exhibits in the museum, and hike the military park to see the actual location of the events. This is an easy four mile hike. The start time will be adjusted to finish in time to see the special reenactments offered. Meet at the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park headquarters building (not to be confused with the Tannenbaum Village) on New Garden Road at the corner of Old Battleground Road. Watch PHOC broadcast emails for the start time. You can also call or email Jerry for the start time. 4 miles [R4] March 16 Sunday, 1:30 pm Nat Greene Trail Watershed Trails, Greensboro This lovely watershed trail hike will begin at the Lake Brandt Marina at 1:30pm. We will follow the Nat Greene Trail to its end at Old Battleground Rd. and reverse our steps to the trailhead at the marina. Call or email if there are any questions. 7.2 miles (R9) March 19 March 22 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) March 23 Sunday, 1:30 pm Townsend Lake Trail OK, I do this trail all the time. That s because it is not only beautiful, but feeds my soul, as well as pleasing the many hikers who join in. Let s meet at the trailhead. No reservations required. 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 1/2 of a mile. Park in the gravel parking lot on your left. Allow about fifteen minutes drive time from Battleground. 8 miles, R-8. March 26
Page 8 of 16 Outings March 27 Thursday at 7 PM Bravo Cucina Italiana 3324 W. Friendly Ave March 29 Mountain-To-Sea Trail Jumping Off Rock to Jeffress Park Let s meet for dinner at 7 pm at the Bravo Cucina Italiana restaurant in the new Friendly Shopping Center. I had dinner there recently and it was wonderful. I had no idea. The atmosphere is elegant in the subdued traditional Italian manner. White table cloths, excellent food and service. Many dishes are under $15 and Thursday is $5 wine night. Come and give it a try. The web site is www.bravoitalian.com. Call or email Mike by Wednesday so we can let them know how many will be coming. We meet at 7 PM. March 29 Hanging Rock State Park A stunning new hike at Hanging Rock! A trek to the 1963 plane crash site on Hanging Rock Ridge. Starting at the Visitors Center we go up the trail to Hanging Rock. After we start back down the trail we immediately turn off trail and start out across Hanging Rock Ridge. Side adventures give excellent views both to the South and North along the ridge. Approaching the second Sister we veer off to the North and slightly downhill past a beautiful rock garden to the site of the crash. From the Hanging Rock Trail this is all off trail. Expect a little scrambling, briars and brush but not that difficult! The return will somewhat be the same way except for different routes to different viewpoints. Please call me or email me for the starting time. Approximately 7 miles, R-20. You can be back in Greensboro or Winston no later than 3:30. The snow is gone, the gentle breezes of spring are upon us, and the magnificent panoramic views of the mountains in the northwest part of our state are still unobstructed by foliage. It is thus time to hit this beautiful stretch of the Mountain-To- Sea trail in southern Ashe County and northern Wilkes County (about 30 miles south of Doughton Park). This is the perfect hike for those who like a good workout who will leave them invigorated and raring to go at the end of the day 13 miles of gently rolling hills, i.e., no prolonged steep climbing without the end in sight but lots of some longish up and down bumps, on a stress-free trail. The terrain is user-friendly, soft and rock-free. Depending on the number of participants, we will do either a shuttle or a key exchange. We do not have the exact rating of this hike, but we estimate it to be around R35. Please call Nicole for meeting time(s) and place(s). March 30 Sunday at 1:30 pm Hagan-Stone Park Join me for a Sunday afternoon hike at Hagan- Stone Park. We ll hike the Chatfield Trail, which follows the perimeter of the park. The trail is approximately 3.5 miles long. We ll be doing the loop twice, but you can bail after the first lap if you so desire. Meet in the first gravel parking lot on the left as you enter the park. The address is 5920 Hagan-Stone Park, Pleasant Garden, NC. No need to call or email unless you have questions. April 2
Outings Page 9 of 16 April 3 Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Vietnamese Garden 2505 Battleground Ave. This is a favorite chef-owned restaurant where the food is delicious and ample, and the prices are fair. Joel, Andy, and Nicole put me on to it. Please let me know no later than April 2 if you will join us. For menu, prices, and location, Google: Trip Advisor, Vietnamese Garden, Greensboro, N.C. Hope to see you. April 5 Upper NC Wall Linville Gorge This will be a non-scramblers version of the Upper NC Wall in Linville Gorge. We ll head South on the MST from the Table Rock parking area, then head downhill to the rocks on the Upper NC Wall. The views through here are incredible and we ll go slowly to appreciate them. There is no need to get really close to edges or scramble on any rocks, but there are plenty of opportunities to do so. This trail ends at the edge of the Amphitheater, and then it s a steady hill climb back to the MST. Don t be fooled by the mileage, this will be a 6 or 7 hr hike. [5 miles, +/- 1000 ft, R25] day. 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) April 6 Sunday Lake Townsend Area Osprey Trail Call or e-mail if you are interested in this very moderate paced hike around the shore edge of Lake Townsend. This will be an out and back hike of 4 miles out and 4 miles back for a total of 8 miles. We will meet at the Osprey Trail parking area located on your left off Yanceyville Road. Traveling north on Yanceyville Rd. from Pisgah Church Rd. the parking area will be approximately 0.3 miles north of Ronald McNair School. If you make it to the bridge crossing Lake Townsend you have gone about 300 yards beyond the parking lot. Meet at 1:00 PM. (RATED R-9) April 6 Sunday American Tobacco Road Trail Bike Ride, Durham,NC April 5 Bluff Ridge/Flat Rock Ridge Trails 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. From the summit of Bluff Mountain, the Grayson Highlands, Mount Rogers, and Grandfather Mountain are visible on a clear Weather permitting. Come and join me for a springtime Sunday bike ride on the Tobacco Road Trail starting at South Point Mall in Durham. This is a 27-mile out and back ride suitable for hybrids, comfort, or mountain bikes. We will stop midway for a snack/lunch and restroom break. The meeting spot is Sears Automotive at South Point Mall in Durham at 10:00am. Please email or call if you are interested. April 9
Page 10 of 16 Outings April 12 Rock Castle Gorge Stuart, Va. April 13 Sunday at 12:00 noon Owls Roost Loop Bur Mil Park 336-299-4461 The winter is gone or almost! It is time to return to RCG, one of the most popular of the PHOC hikes, and savor it in the shimmering sun of a spring day (I have placed my order for a clear day without rain with the higher ups and expect it to be filled). We will start with a rather steep, but relatively short, uphill section, and continue our ascent toward the old shelter, where lunch will be elegantly served in the most magnificent setting. With bellies full and well hydrated, we will continue our journey through a landscape of open meadows, rhododendron groves, and rushing stream before descending back into the gorge, lined with gigantic boulders, to complete a slightly over 10-mile loop. Please contact me if you plan to participate. A caravan will depart from Shoney s for the Greensboro crowd and meet folks who prefer to join us closer to the trailhead at Hardee s in Stuart, Va. [10.8 miles, 3000 feet, R41] April 12 Linville Gorge Another great hard day in the Gorge. Today we will go down the Pine Gap Trail to the Linville Gorge Trail. We will then hike about seven miles along the river up and over Babel Tower until we come out of the Gorge on the Conely Cove Trail. This adventure is one of the few main trails in the Gorge that has escaped the several wildfires and hurricane blow downs of the twenty or so past years. This is for experienced hikers only that are used to rock to rock hiking with continual crawling over and under old growth downed trees. Dinner at our most favorite place, Yannies in Morganton. Please call Ben for meeting place and time. App 10 miles +/- 3000ft. R-50 Lets meet at 12:00 noon 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 or the new bike trail that runs parallel to Owls Roost but higher up on the bluff 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. This will be a 2-hour hike so as to get us back in time for the Spring Fling. No need to call, but please do if you have questions. [7 mi, R-9]. April 13 Spring Fling Sunday Bur-Mil Park Shelter #2, 2:00 PM Shari Altman Social@PiedmontHikingandOutingClub.org Join us at 2 pm for our annual celebration of spring with a good ole American Cook Out! Bring your favorite side dish, appetizer or dessert to share. Bring a serving utensil for your dish. The club will provide hot dogs, hamburgers, plates, cups, silverware, tea and soda. Bur-Mil Park regulations allow beer and wine in all shelters, but no glass containers are allowed so attendees who want to bring their own adult beverages should bear this in mind. Feel free to bring your camp chair. Enjoy fishing, hiking, Bocce Ball, biking, volleyball or visiting with friends. Festivities and meal begin at 2:00 pm at Bur-Mil Park off of Owl s Roost Road in Greensboro. Meet at shelter #2 on the left just past the swimming pool. Please RSVP via email so we know how many burgers and hot dogs to provide.
Outings Page 11 of 16 April 14 Monday Power Walk April 19 Bluff Mountain Trail Doughton Park, We will walk 7 miles on the city greenway maintaining at least a 4 mph pace. Our objective is a good cardio workout. If you are working up to this pace, we will catch you on the way back since it will be an out and back. Please email or call for time and location. April 16 This wonderful hike starts at Brinegar Cabin and picks up the Bluff Mountain Trail, paralleling the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 8 miles. I have it on good authority that great views are to be expected, especially in the spring when the mountain laurel starts to bloom. This is a shuttle hike between Brinegar Cabin and the Ranger Station near the intersection with the Flat Rock Ridge trail. Please call or email by noon on Friday if you plan to join the hike. (8 miles 900 foot elevation gain, R17) April 17 Thursday Pho Hien Vuong 4109-A Spring Garden St April 27 Canoe/kayak Haw River Sunday Chicken Bridge to 15/501 Let s meet for dinner at 7 PM at the Vietnamese Restaurant Pho Hien Vuong on Spring Garden St. This is an informal, casual atmosphere restaurant with outstanding food. Please call or email me before Thursday so I can let them know how many will be attending. April 19 Heartbreak Ridge to Pinnacle Old Fort, NC 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 for dinner on the way back. Call or email for meeting times and places. [14 miles; +/4000 ; R54] Join us in a canoe/kayak trip down the popular Haw River near Pittsboro. The river is 6.5 miles and generally takes 3 hours to paddle. It is NOT FOR BEGINNERS but novice and above with some river experience. You will need to provide your own, borrowed or rented boat. I can help with transporting boats. We will leave Shoney s at 10:00. Bring a picnic lunch. At the end of the paddle, those that wish will stop at Carolina brewery in Pittsboro. If you forego dinner, I suspect that you can be back in Greensboro by 5:00. If you plan to come or have questions, give me a call or email. April 20 Sunday at 1:30 Bald Eagle Trail Lake Higgins Watershed Trail Lets 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
Page 12 of 16 Outings 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. April 23 April 26 Roan Highlands NC/TN Border Abingdon trailhead 10:15am. Contact Jim for motel information. [Members wishing to hike Roan Mountain with Gary on are welcome to join us in Abingdon night and Sunday. The drive is 1:15 from Roan. Bicycle rentals for Sunday are $20 bike only and $25 bike and shuttle.] April 27 Sunday 1:00 Lake Brandt Please join me for this popular hike on the Appalaachian Trail between Carvers Gap and US 19E. We will plan two-versions. One group will start from US 19E and hike the 15 miles to Carvers Gap, climbing 5300 vertical feet. Another group will start at Carvers Gap and cover the same 15 miles while climbing 2600 vertical feet 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 and make the drive to the trailheads worthwhile. Bring water, lunch and rain gear. Dinner in Banner Elk on the way home. Please email or call for further details. Uphill: 15 miles, 5300 feet (R-68). Downhill: 15 miles, 2600 feet (R-41) April 26-27 & Sunday Virginia Creeper Cycling Bicycle 34 miles roundtrip from Abingdon to Damascus and back on. That night will be spent at an Abingdon motel. Approximate cost for one night is $50 per room. On Sunday, bicyclists have the option of bicycling 34 miles roundtrip from downtown Damascus to Whitetop Station and back or just the 17 mile downhill portion utilizing a shuttle (approximate cost is $15) for the uphill portion. Departure from Shoney s is 7:30am, Hardees (exit 118 on US 52 North) at 8am or at Meet at 1:00 at Burmil Park Wildlife Center, Greensboro, near the lake for an 8.3 mile walk around Lake Brandt. This is a pleasant hike, just about right for a Sunday. R-10. April 30 Smoky Mountains/Gatlinburg Weekend Getaway May 2, 3, 4, 2014 Let s go to Ole Rocky Top again! It has been 2 years since we published our last trip! The accommodations are at Cabins at Gatlinburg falls for Friday and nights then depart on Sunday. There will be a variety of opportunities to participate in Mount Leconte hiking, check out wildflower trails, sitting on the porch and doing nothing, hot tub for the hike weary, watch people eat funnel cakes downtown, eat at downtown restaurants, shop or many more things to do. Final cabin reservation will be dependent on the number of individuals that commit to the weekend plans. In the past we were able to reserve cabin, and include a night group meal all for a reasonable price. Activities will be open to a variety of interests. A non- refundable-however transferrabledeposit of $50.00 will be required by April 15 to hold your room. I am anxiously awaiting a very fun club weekend with friends! For remittance address and questions please call outing leader