No
Monday Power Walks! Power walks
will resume in May!
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.
Friday Hanging Rock State Park
Joel & Andy’s home afterwards
Join
us for an annual PHOC New Year’s Day outing to Hanging Rock State Park.
There’ll be plenty of time to sleep in before this hike, so no excuses! See
below for the after-hike dinner. Meet at Shoney’s at NC-68 & I-40 at 11
AM, or 12 PM at the Visitor’s Center. No need to call or email. [5-6 miles, +/-500 ft., R-12]
For
those who hike Hanging Rock on New Year's Day, Joel and Andy invite you to
return with them to their home for their 4th annual
soup/potato/salad dinner immediately after the hike. The invitation is limited
to the hikers. Directions will be handed
out at the hike. No need to RSVP.
January
2 Table Rock
Saturday Linville Gorge
Today’s
hike is to the top of Table Rock, which is along the eastern side of Linville
Gorge. After hiking up Table Rock and enjoying lunch, we will descend and then
hike along the Shortoff mountain trail to the Chimneys area for a little
scrambling for those interested. Scenery is guaranteed to be fantastic. Dinner
will be at the now famous Yianni's Greek restaurant in Morganton. Meet at
Shoneys at 7 AM or the old El Jinete in Clemmons at 7:30. Call or e-mail Ben
for more info. [6 miles, +/- 1500 ft, R-20]
January
3 Peninsula and West House
Trails
Sunday Greensboro Watershed Trails
Let’s
meet on North Church Street in the parking lot just before you cross Lake Townsend
the second time; going north the parking lot will be on your left. We will hike the Peninsula Trail and the
West House Trail out and back; this will almost give us 5 miles. Meet at 2 PM. There is no need to call to go on this hike. [5 miles, R-5]
January
6 Wednesday Night Walk
& Dinner
January
9 Stone Mountain Trails
Saturday Stone Mountain Park
Today’s
hike will take us over Cedar Rock, Wolf Rock, by three waterfalls, and to the
top of Stone Mountain. Most of this
hike will be on trails that show up on the park map which will include the
horse trail. This is a loop hike with
very little backtracking on the trails.
Plan to leave Shoney’s (I-40 & 68) at 7:30 AM; will pick up at
Jonestown exit McDonald’s at 8:00. There is no need to call or e-mail Hubert
unless you have questions. [10 miles, +/- 1915 feet, R-29]
January
9-16 Wilderness Wildlife Week
Saturday
– Saturday Pigeon Forge, TN
This
20th annual WWW is held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It features hundreds of
workshops related to wildlife, photography, GSMNP, etc. There will be over 50
hikes in the GSMNP offered during the week, ranging from easy strolls to all
day strenuous treks to the nightly owl prowls. All transportation to and from trailheads
is provided. Hikes are led by professional guides, rangers or naturalists. If
you are not worn out hiking all day, there are nightly programs featuring local
music. This is a free event paid for by the Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce
and partners. I plan to attend Jan 10-15 and would be happy to provide more
information and web links.
January
10 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 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. No need to call. [8 miles, R-8]
January
10 Annual Potluck Dinner
Meeting
Sunday Bur-Mil Park Clubhouse
This
year's annual potluck will be in the Cedar Room at Bur-Mil Park at 6 PM. Come join us in electing our club officers
for 2010. The potluck format means a variety of good food. Bring your appetite along with a dish to
share. Please remember to bring a
serving utensil for your dish. Drinks (tea and soda) and tableware will be
provided. In Greensboro, head north on
Battleground/220, passing Wal-Mart. Turn right onto Owls Roost Rd. Turn left
into Bur- Mil Park. The clubhouse is
straight ahead. Parking is on the left,
RSVPs not necessary .
January
13 Wednesday Night Walk &
Dinner
January
16 McAfee Knob & Tinkers
Cliff
Saturday Roanoke, VA
Today
we will visit the beautiful Catawba and Roanoke Valleys. We will climb up the
steep and strenuous trail to the top of Tinker Mountain. The views are not to
be missed. We will proceed along the
ridge line to start another climb up to the top of McAfee Knob…. and another
gorgeous view. Then we will all end the
day with our favorite part……..DINNER!
Please bring PLENTY OF WATER!!!
Call/email Jill for meeting time and place. [12 miles, R-36]
January
17 Gibson Park
Sunday Greensboro
Meet
at Gibson Park at 1:30 PM for a 5-mile stroll through scenic Gibson Park, 3
miles in the woods near the lake and 2 on the greenway. Gibson Park is off of West Wendover Avenue,
on the left 3.4 miles west after crossing over I-40. Drive to the end of the park road, to the parking lot near the
restrooms/picnic tables. This is a fun, pleasant and very convenient walk. Hope to see you there. Contact Jon if questions. [5 miles, R-7]
January
20 Wednesday Night Walk &
Dinner
January
23 Mt. Rogers
Saturday Mt Rogers Nat Rec Area
Here’s
your chance to summit the highest peaks in VA and NC in successive weekends; in
January! We were rained out in
September, so we’ll try again in January.
From the west side, we’ll get on the AT Northbound. From the AT, the summit of Mt. Rogers is a ½
mile side-trail. We’ll have lunch at
the Thomas Knob Shelter and enjoy the views.
At Rhododendron Gap, we’ll head down the Crest Trail to the VHHT and
back to the Elk Garden. Email or call
for meeting time and place. [10.8
miles, +/- 1700 feet, R-30]
January
23 Stone Mountain Hike
Saturday Stone Mountain Park
The
hike will be 8 miles in length passing over Wolf Rock and Stone Mountain and by
three waterfalls. Even at this lower
elevation there could very well be some ice.
We will take our time during the hike so plan on being on the trail
around 5 hours. Meet at Shoney’s at hwy 68 and be ready to leave at 8 AM will
pick up at Jonestown exit McDonald’s at 8:30. If it is raining, the hike will
be cancelled. Feel free to phone or
e-mail me if you have questions. [8.2
miles, +- 1410 feet, R-22]
January
24 Greensboro Watershed
Trails
Sunday Lake Brandt
Today
we will hike 6.5 miles at Lake Brandt.
This will not be a fast pace hike, so plan to spend around 3 hours on
the hike. Please meet at Lake Brandt
Marina at 2 PM at the upper parking lot (this is at the entrance gate) on Lake
Brandt Road. No need to call to go on this hike. [6.5 miles, +/- 200 feet, R-9]
January
27 Wednesday Night Walk &
Dinner
January
30 Mt. Mitchell Trail
Saturday Mt. Mitchell State Park
Join
me and other intrepid club members for the 4th annual Mt. Mitchell winter
hike. This is a difficult hike and
dangerous for the unprepared; metal-tipped hiking poles and slip-on foot
traction (crampons or YakTrax) are required.
You will be hiking on ice during this adventure. We’ll start at Black Mt Campground, head up
the MST/Mt Mitchell trail to the summit, down Camp Alice Trail to the Commissary
Ridge Trail, back to the MST and finally back to the campground. Please call or email for meeting time and
place; we will get an early start to get off the mountain in the light. This hike is weather dependent and an
alternate hike will be done if necessary. [12.5 miles, +/- 3700 feet, R-50+]
January
30 Boone Fork Trail
Saturday Julian Price Park
This
is a wonderful trail in winter, especially if there is snow. Be prepared for
cold winds and dress in layers. After this trail we can do the Green Knob trail
and or the Price Lake Loop Trail depending on the group and weather. Bring
snacks and water. We will not be stopping long along the trail to eat but we
will have an early dinner in Blowing Rock before returning home. Meet at
Shoney's at 8 AM or at Jonestown exit McDonald’s at 8:30. Moderate hike - 5 to
10 miles [R10-R28 depending on options selected to hike]
January
31 Owls Roost Loop
Sunday 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 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. [7
miles, R-9]
February
3 Wednesday Night Walk &
Dinner
February
6 Scott Ridge/MST Trails
Saturday Stone Mountain State Park
This
primarily ridge-based hike requires no rock hopping across creeks but does
include some steep climbs. The route is
through the backpack campsites on the Widow’s Creek Trail, up Scott Ridge to
the abandoned aerial tramway site, and back down the Mountains-to-Sea
Trail. Views of the ridges of Stone
Mountain State Park, of Stone Mountain itself from above, and of the valley
beyond the Blue Ridge Parkway are excellent.
The route will be safe even if there’s snow on the ground. Hikers can be home for supper at a normal
time. [11 miles, 2800 feet, R-39]
February
6 Fairy Stone State Park
Saturday Stuart, VA
Today
let’s drive into Virginia for a 6.7 mile hike at Fairy Stone State Park. This
hike is for the hikers that do not like to hike fast or do long distance
hiking. We will take our time on this hike and enjoy the beauty of the outdoors
in the winter scenery. I do not know
the elevation gain and loss of this hike and the hike is not rated. Please meet in the Food Lion Parking lot
close to Walgreen’s at 8 AM in Summerfield [HWY 220 and HWY150 “address of Food
Lion is 4548 US 220 North”]. Call or e-mail if you have questions. [7 miles]
February
7 Bur-mil Park
Sunday Greensboro
Meet
at Bur-Mil Park at 1:30 p.m. for a lovely 5-mile walk incorporating Owl's Roost
Trail, one of the club's favorites and perhaps the prettiest watershed
trail. Meet at the parking lot at the
end of the road, down the hill near the lake and wildlife center. Call Jon if questions. Hope to see you. [5 miles, R-7]
February
8 February Meeting
Monday Piedmont Environmental
Center
Meet
for refreshments and fellowship at 7 PM at the Piedmont Environmental
Center. The business portion and
program will start at 7:30. On the 1st of August, Dale, Ernest, Spencer, Ben,
and Don Ip ventured into Estes Park, Colorado and did some very beautiful and
some very difficult hikes. Don will be presenting a slide show of Flattop
Mountain, Mt Evans, Frozen Lake, Mt Chapin, Nymph Lake and last of all, the
hike most serious hikers would want to do, "Longs Peak".
February
10 Wednesday Night Walk &
Dinner
February
13 Hawksbill, LTR, Apricot
Saturday Linville Gorge
Let’s
catch some views from the eastern rim of Linville Gorge! We’ll head up Hawksbill Mountain to enjoy
the panorama there, descend the Ledge trail to the base of the Hawksbill
cliffs, and connect to the steep Little Table Rock trail. After enjoying the dramatic cliff-side views
at LTR, we’ll pass the Chimneys and head down to the Apricot Buttress area for
some more views from the edge of a 200-foot high wall. We’ll then hit Crackerjack Point, Table
Rock, and do an optional scramble down the steep Devil’s Cellar chute before
returning to the cars on the MST. The upper section of the Ledge trail is
essentially a rugged boulder field which requires careful scrambling up and
down large rock fragments. Parts of this hike are not on official trails, thus
there may be areas not well maintained and a bit scratchy. We’ll leave early, hike about eight hours,
and have dinner in Morganton. Call or
email for meeting place and time. [10 miles, 3000 ft, R-40]
February
13 Indian Creek, Wolf Rock,
Cook's Wall
Saturday Hanging Rock State Park
Today,
we will head for Hanging Rock State Park and hike the Indian Creek, Wolf Rock,
and Cook's Wall trails. This hike is
moderate, with a few stream crossings.
The stream is usually low, but it has been known to swell after a big
rain. So bring your poles. We will hike approximately 13 miles and will
gain approximately 1600 feet of elevation.
We will meet at Shoney's at 8:00 AM.
Winston folks can meet us at 9:00 at the Dan River parking lot (off
Flinchum Road). Please call Nicole and
let her know you are coming. [13 miles,
1600 feet, R-29]
February
14 Lake Brandt Loop
Sunday Greensboro Watershed Trails
Meet
at Bur-Mil Park in the parking lot nearest Lake Brandt at 1 PM for this 3-4
hour walk around the lake on Piedmont and Nat Greene Trails. Hike is 8.5 miles,
with 2 on the greenway and 6.5 through the woods. Very pleasant, only a few
modest climbs. Bring water and snacks and hope for snow! No need to call to go
on this hike. [8.5 miles, ± 150 feet, R-10]
February
17 Wednesday Night Walk &
Dinner
February
20 Doughton Park Loop
Saturday Doughton Park
We'll
hike up Flat Rock Trail, follow the Bluff Mountain Trail along the Parkway
enjoying the fantastic views (weather cooperating), and then come down Cedar
Ridge. Bring water, lunch, and rain
gear (just in case). Those who want to
will stop in Elkin to defrost and have a bite afterwards. Please email or call for meeting place and
start time. [17 miles, +/- 3200 feet,
R-49]
February
21 Piedmont Watershed Trail
Sunday Lake Brandt
Lets
meet at 1:30 PM. 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 miles, R-7]
February
24 Wednesday Night Walk &
Dinner
February
27 Rock Castle Gorge
Saturday Stuart, VA
The
11-mile spring and fall Rock Castle hikes are favorites of the club. This is a wonderful hike anytime of the year
and is especially beautiful to hike in the snow. Six years ago we began to hike Rock Castle Gorge in the middle of
the winter, so this will be our seventh annual winter hike. Let’s hope for snow. Please e-mail Hubert if
you plan to do this hike. Meet at Shoney’s (I-40 and NC-68) at 7:30 AM. [11
miles, +/- 2600 feet, R-37]
February
28 Northeast Park
Sunday Greensboro
Today
we will hike 4.9 miles at a moderate pace at Northeast Park. This is not a hard trail and the hike should
be pleasant and last a little over 2
hours. We will stop for views.
Hopefully the leaves on the ground will not cover the beauty of this
trail. 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.] Call or e-mail if you have questions. [4.9
miles, +/- 220 feet, R-7]
February
28 Moses Cone Memorial Park
Sunday
Beginning
at the Moses Cone Manor House, we'll cross under the Blue Ridge Parkway and
pass by Trout Lake on our way up Rich Mountain. Most of the hike is on wide carriage trails. A small portion of the hike is on a narrow
trail, and we'll also walk across a meadow.
We'll loop around Rich Mountain and connect back to the original
trail. Call or email for meeting
times/locations. [10 miles, 1000 feet,
R-20].
Feb
28th – Mar 1 Ski Trip
Sunday
– Monday Snowshoe WV
Join
us for another great priced deal at Snowshoe whether you are a beginner or
expert. We will drive up 4 1/2 hours Sunday morning 2/28 and spend Sunday and
Monday nights at the Inn at Snowshoe. Great price - $119 plus tax per person,
double occupancy. It includes 2 nights
and 2 days lift tickets per person plus (new this year) a hot breakfast bar
each day. The schedule also misses the weekend crowds. You can ski Sun/Mon or
Mon/Tues. This is our 4th year and the snow has been good and no crowds. You
need to call Snowshoe 877-441-4386 and make your own reservations. There is no
group reservation. The $119 package is limited and the price escalates as the
Inn fills. Call or email me for details and to let me know that you are coming.