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Every Wednesday Night Walk and Dinner

NEW LOCATION !!! Friendly Shopping Center

The Wednesday walkers will meet every Wednesday evening in the parking lot near Tex & Shirley’s at 6:30 PM for a brisk walk before dinner. Rain or shine, the group will go to dinner after the walk.

November 1 Greensboro Watershed Trails

Sunday Laurel Bluff/Reedy Fork Trails

This is a 7 1/2 mile loop along Lake Townsend. Meet at the parking lot at the Reedy Fork trailhead off Lake Brandt Road at 1 PM. Go north pass the entrance to the Lake Brandt Marina and cross over the dam. The parking area will be located on your right. Give me a call if you have any questions. [7.5 miles, R9].

November 4 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

November 6 18th Annual North Carolina Dance Festival

Friday UNCG, Aycock Auditorium

If you like dance (or have never seen modern dance and think you might be interested) join us for an evening that is sure to entertain and help support the local arts. First we’ll meet at 6:15 on the front steps of Aycock on Tate Street and pick one of the many inexpensive restaurants on that block for dinner. The performance begins at 8 PM. Parking is available behind the Weatherspoon Art Museum on the corner across Spring Garden St. from Aycock.

General admission $15

Seniors $12

UNC-G Students $9

If 10 or more sign up (including check for above price) before Wednesday October 28, I can get an advanced group rate of $6 and will reimburse you on the night of the performance. You can always join us and purchase tickets at the door but will not be eligible for the group discount.

November 7 Heartbreak Ridge/Pinnacle Trails

Saturday Pisgah National Forest

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 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. Come prepared for the possibility of chilly winds on Pinnacle. Yianni’s in Morganton is usually the chosen supper stop. [14 miles, 4000 feet, R54] Call or email for meeting time and place.

November 7 Doughton Park to Stone Mountain

Saturday Doughton Park

Today we will hike 15.3 miles with an elevation gain and loss of 3400 feet. This is a hard hike. Please bring extra water and food. There is no need to call Hubert if you plan to go on this hike. Meet at Shoney’s (I-40 & NC 68) at 7:30 AM and Jonestown exit around 8. [R45,15. 3 miles, +-3400 feet]

November 7-8 Overnight Backpacking Trip

Sat & Sun Mount Rogers Area

This will be a 25-mile loop that includes 17 miles on the AT. We will hike 12 miles on Saturday, ending up at the Thomas Knob Shelter for dinner and sunset. After sunrise and breakfast with the ponies, it’s an easy 13 miles on Sunday, all on the AT, back to the cars. Lots of opportunities for exploring smaller side trails, including the 1-mile spur to the Mt Rogers summit. It can get cold up there, so be prepared. Call or email for meeting time and place. We'll discuss food and gear when it gets closer. [2 days, 25miles, +/-4000 feet, R45]

November 8 Lake Higgins Trail

Sunday Greensboro Watershed Trails

Let’s go for a 7-mile hike with lots of views of Lake Higgins today. Please bring water and a snack. Meet in the Lake Higgins trail parking lot (approximately 150 feet from the marina entrance outside the marina fence) at 1:30 PM. The marina address is 4235 Hamburg Mill Road, marina phone # is 336-643-4295. No need to call to go on hike. [7 miles, +-200 feet, R9]

November 9 November Meeting

Monday Piedmont Environmental Center

Meet for refreshments and fellowship at 7PM at the Piedmont Environmental Center on Penny Rd in Jamestown. The business portion of the program will begin at 7:30.

Our meeting tonight is a presentation by PHOC member Gale Magann. In June of 2008, Sue Kanoy, Dana Holiday, Judy Young and Gale hiked the West Highland Way and other trails in western Scotland. Come see their pictures and hear about their adventures in this beautiful part of the world.

November 11 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

November 14 Bluff Mountain Trail

Saturday Doughton Park

This 7.3-mile hike is for everyone. It has great views and no hard climbs. This hike parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway and the pace of the hike will be moderate. Please meet in GSO at Shoney’s [I-40 & 68] and be ready to leave at 8 or in WS at the Jonestown exit at 8:30. [7.3 miles, +- 725 ft, R15]

November 15 Bur-Mil/Watershed Trails

Sunday Greensboro

Let's hike 6 miles today. We'll meet at 1:00 at the Wildlife Center at Bur-Mil Park. We'll be on the Greenway, Palmetto, Nat Greene and Little Loop trails. No need to call unless you have questions. [ 6 miles, R7].

November 18 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

November 20 Fire & Sticks Japanese Steakhouse

Friday Hwy 68 High Point, NC

2nd Annual Pre-Thanksgiving PHOC Non Turkey Dinner at Fire and Sticks Japanese Steakhouse. No Turkey and dressing, but a good time will be had by all. Here, we find great food (check the menu at http://www.fireandsticks.com/sushi.shtm), great entertainment by the Chefs, and table settings designed for social gatherings. Each dinner is prepared at your Tappanyaki table for 10 in the finest Japanese tradition. Fire and Sticks has been voted the Top Japanese Steakhouse in the Carolinas 4 consecutive years by the Pritchett household. Reservations a must, please let me know by November 19.

November 21 Rock Castle Gorge

Saturday Stuart, Va

Let's burn some calories in anticipation for a guilt free Thanksgiving feast. This hike offers some of the most diverse and beautiful terrain in the East. Steep mountain incline, pastures, meadows, rock gardens, woodland streams, and mountain top vistas. Please dress appropriately and bring plenty of water. 2,800 ft total elevation gain. Leave Shoney's at 7:30AM and Hardee's in Stuart, Va at 8:30 AM. Please call or email if planning to hike. [11 miles, R39]

November 22 Lake Brandt Long Hike

Sunday Bur-Mil Park, Greensboro

This is one of our favorite late fall hikes. Meet at Bur-Mil Park, at the parking lot at the bottom of the hill and end of the road, near the Wildlife Center and lake, at 1:30 PM. We will take this very scenic walk on Owls Roost, the greenway, across to the marina, down Piedmont Trail, and back to Bur-Mil. There should still be some nice leaves and pleasant views. Call Jon if you have questions, hope to see you there. [11 miles, R18]

November 25 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

November 28 Pilot Mountain

Saturday 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 to Ledge Spring Trail at the base of the mountain. This hike is not for beginners. From Ledge Springs we will continue on to the Jomeokee Trail around the knob. 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. We will meet at Shoney's at Hwy 68 and I40 at 9:00 AM or at the Ranger Station/Parking Lot at 9:45. No need to call but do if you have questions. [Approx 9 miles, R25]

November 29 Nat Greene Watershed Trail

Sunday Lake Brandt

Lets meet at 1 PM at the Nat Greene watershed trailhead for an out and back total of 6 easy miles. Proceed north on Lake Brandt Road, turn into the Lake Brandt Marina entrance on the left, and then left again at the bottom of the driveway. [6 miles, R7].

December 2 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

December 5 Doughton Park Loop

Saturday Doughton Blue Ridge Parkway

Join Hubert on this 17-mile loop hike in Doughton Park. Please bring plenty of water with you on this hike and of course lunch and a snack. We will depart Shoney’s at 7:30 AM and Jonestown exit around 8. [17 miles, R47, 2950 feet]

December 6 Northeast Park

Sunday Guilford County

Join Hubert for a moderately paced hike at Northeast Park. This is not a hard trail and the hike should be a pleasant walk of just over 2 hours. We should be able to see colored leaves beginning to fall. Please meet in the Hicone Shopping Center parking lot in front of Food Lion near the bank at 2 PM. From HWY 29 take Hicone Road east and the shopping center will be on your right approximately 1 mile from HWY 29. We will then drive to Northeast Park and park our cars. Call or e-mail me if you have questions. [4.9 miles, R7]

December 9 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

December 12 Blue Ridge Music Center

Saturday Blue Ridge Parkway

Lets do two short hikes today for a total of 6.3 miles. We will hike down to Gulley Creek and back, then drive a few miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway and do a hike behind the Blue Ridge Music center which will include a visit to The Music center; maybe some locals will be playing. This is a hike that people with limited hiking experience can enjoy. Please meet in GSO at Shoney’s [I-40 & 68] and be ready to leave at 7:30 or in WS at McDonalds Exit 118 on HWY 52 at 8:00. [6.3 miles, +-870 ft, R15]

December 12 Lake Townsend Area Trails

Saturday Greensboro Watershed

This is a hike for those who want to get a nice workout before the Christmas party later in the evening. We will hike the Laurel Bluff, Peninsula, West House, and Reedy Fork trails around Lake Townsend for approximately 12 miles. There is no elevation gain to speak of, so we will be going at a sustained pace to make it back in time for the party. We will meet at the Reedy Fork trailhead (across the dam on Lake Brandt Road) at 9:00 AM. Please call to let me know you’re coming. [12 miles, R14].

December 12 Annual Christmas Party

Saturday R H Barringer in Greensboro

The party will be held at R H Barringer in Greensboro. The party will start at 6:30 PM and dinner will start at 7:00 PM. Catering is being provided by Applespice Catering. Due to limited space and seating, this event is limited to the first 125 people. Prepayment for guests must be received by December 5th. Act now, as it is likely the reservations will be filled long before the December 5th deadline for guests. More information will be forthcoming.

December 13 Lake Townsend Trail

Sunday 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, 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. No need to call. [8 miles, R8]

December 14 No December Meeting

There will be no monthly meeting at the Piedmont Environmental Center due to the annual PHOC Christmas Party on Dec 12.

The nominating committee will present the following slate of 2010 officers at the Christmas Party in preparation for the January election.

President Jim Pritchett

Vice President Lynette Tullos

Secretary Maryellen Spencer

Treasurer Landy Griffin

December 16 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

December 19 Morrow Mountain

Saturday Morrow Mountain State Park

We'll explore Morrow Mountain State Park to our south; an under-represented park in club hikes. We'll start from the horse parking lot, but avoid the muddy horse trails common to the park. We'll head out the Sugarloaf Mtn Trail, meet with Hattaway Mt Trail, then retrace some of Sugarloaf Mtn trail to meet up with Morrow Mtn Trail, around the Mountain Loop Trail, and return. Note the length of the hike is approximate as it hasn't been hiked with a GPS. Bring plenty of water. For those interested, we will stop for supper on the way back. Greensboro folks meet at Shoney's, Winston meet location to be determined. Please call or email Shari for meeting times and Winston meet location. [Approximately 10.6 miles, +/- 1000 feet, R20]

December 20 Wolf Rock/Cook's Wall Trails

Sunday Hanging Rock State Park

We will hike Wolf Rock and Cook's Wall trails for about a total of 5 1/2 miles. If the weather is clear, there should be some great views of the valley below. Meet at Shoney's on HWY 68 and I-40 at 1 PM or at the Hanging Rock Visitor Center at around 1:45 or 2 PM. Call if you have any questions. [5.5 miles, R12]

December 23 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

December 27 Gibson Park

Sunday Wendover Avenue

Let's just get out of the house over the Holidays and breathe some fresh air with a little cardio exercise. Meet at Gibson Park parking lot at 1 PM and we will hike about 7 miles. Mix of trail and the Greenway walking surface. Bring water and a list of your favorite movies. Should be finished by 4 PM. Call or email with any questions. [7 miles, R11]

December 30 Wednesday Night Walk & Dinner

January 1 New Year’s Day Hike and Dinner

Friday Hanging Rock State Park

Meet at Shoney’s I-40 and 68 at 11 AM or noon at the Visitor Center. Joel and Andy invite all who participate to return with them to their home for a soup/potato/salad dinner immediately after the hike! Directions will be handed out at the hike.