NC Mountains-to-seaTrail offers October events for bikers, hikers and paddlers

Whether you like to hike, paddle,  bike or go on a scavenger hunt, North Carolina’s third annual Mountains-to-Sea Trail Month in October will offer those opportunities and more to outdoor enthusiasts. “Wilderness areas, waterfalls and wonderful fall color are on the agenda,” said Kate Dixon, executive director for Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST), which organizes the statewide event.

The Carolina Mountain Club, which maintains 140 miles of the MST, has organized a package of day hike options ranging from easy to strenuous. Each hike will be led by a volunteer familiar with the route. Activities in the mountains will kick off on October 2 with the official designation of a 25-mile trail section along the Blue Ridge Parkway as part of the nearly 1000-mile MST.

In the Triad, there will be family friendly hikes at Alamance County’s new Shallow Ford Natural Area north of Burlington on October 9. Some of the trails will eventually connect to the MST. On October 24 there will be a fall foliage hike on Greensboro’s Laurel Bluff Trail.

In the Triangle world renowned alpinist and videographer Conrad Anker, who has twice climbed Mt. Everest, will make a presentation about his adventures as part of a Great Outdoor Provision Company fundraising event for the MST on October 19.

In addition there will be a family oriented Clues on the Neuse Scavenger Hunt on the MST in Smithfield October 10. On October 23 volunteers can be part of history by helping build the final section of the MST at Falls Lake. For their hard work volunteers will be rewarded with a cookout. There will also be a workday October 16 for the Eno River Trail, which will connect to the MST.

In Eastern North Carolina the very first event of MST Month will be the Paddle the Neuse River on October 1. One of the last events will be the Showdown at Black Creek, a 125 mile out and back bike ride for experienced cyclists organized by North Carolina Bike Club and Randonneurs USA.
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains, through the Piedmont and Triangle to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. Nearly 20 people have completed the entire route. Each year thousands hike or bike various sections of the trail. Earlier this year President Obama and Mrs. Obama walked part of the MST near Asheville.