Last Call for Mountains-to-Sea Trail Gathering of Friends Registration

March 24-25 in Elkin NC: Registration closes on Friday, March 17th for the MST Gathering of Friends, March 24th through 26th in Elkin, NC.  

Become a Friend at www.mountainstoseatrail.org

Get ready for an action-packed weekend, filled with a Hiking Boot Gala, the annual meeting, plus lots of hikes, bikes, paddles, art classes and plenty more.

The Town of Elkin, the Elkin Valley Trails Association and the Foothills Arts Council have just announced these exciting events immediately following the annual meeting on Saturday, March 25:

• Art Hike through downtown Elkin. Musicians at 6 venues, 12 artists and vendors, wine and beer tastings and even karaoke will be peppered through downtown Elkin.  For the entire lineup, see the Foothills Arts Council website.

• The Foothills Arts Council will host Old Country Store, a blues group from 5 to 7, with wine tasting from Round Peak Vineyards and beer from Skull Camp.

• The Reeves Theater presents an Evening of Music with Martha Bassett at Grassy Creek Vineyards from 7 till 10. Admission is free, but reservations are recommended.  Email Debbie or call 336-366-0875 for more info and to RSVP.

Please join The Friends of The Mountains-To-Sea Trail and celebrate 40 years of the MST and explore the Greater Elkin area!  Get more information HERE.

 REGISTER HERE

Fontana Dam Designated an Appalachian Trail Community

Fontana Dam NC was officially designated an Appalachian Trail Community on March 26, 2015 during a ceremony at Fontana Dam . Franklin and Hot Springs are the other NC towns recognized by the program. 

The Appalachian Trail Community program was created by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy to recognize communities that promote and care for the Appalachian Trail (A.T.). Working with a growing network of trailside community partners, the program supports communities that play a role in advocating the A.T. as a significant local and national asset and as an international icon. The program assists communities by generating awareness and stimulating outdoor recreation while preserving and protecting the A.T. 

Learn more about the Appalachian Trail in North Carolina on the NC Hiking and Trails Guide.

NC Hiking: Friends of the Smokies FIrst Classic Hike of 2014

March 11  - Little Cataloochee Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Friends of the Smokies' first Classic Hike of the year. Renowned outdoor author and hiking expert, Danny Bernstein, will lead a guided hike to Little Cataloochee. Participants will enjoy a 6.1-mile hike on Little Cataloochee Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP). This hike is easy in difficulty, with a total elevation gain of 1,100 feet. Cost is $35.00

Each 2014 Classic Hike will highlight a park program that Friends of the Smokies has supported. In March, participants will learn how donations made to Friends of the Smokies benefit efforts to preserve the park's treasured historic structures. Hikers will visit Hannah Cabin, Cook Cabin and Little Cataloochee Baptist Church along the trail.

Meeting locations for the hike will be in Asheville and Waynesville. To register for this Classic Hike of the Smokies, contact outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org or 828-452-0720.  Information about support for trail improvements in GSMNP may be found at www.smokiestrailsforever.org.

New Bridge on the Mountains to Sea Trail

Hikers can now keep their feet dry when they cross High Shoals Creek as they follow the NC Mountain to Sea Trail (MST) along the Blue Ridge Parkway between Moses Cone Park and US 421 near Boone.

A new bridge was installed over the creek thanks to a $40,000 grant from the federal Recreational Trails Program matched by $7,422 donated by FMST members and 149.5 hours of work donated by FMST volunteers in Watauga County.

Attendees at the dedication ceremony in July received an ample demonstration of the need for the bridge. A rain storm the night before followed by steady rain throughout the day brought a torrent of water down the creek and under the bridge. A hardy group of volunteers and staff crossed the bridge in full rain gear and dry feet to celebrate this great addition to the trail.

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail  connects Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the NC Outer Banks with 1000 miles of footpaths and temporary connectors. Currently about 530 miles of footpaths are complete with work crews, mostly volunteers, continuing construction. The connectors make it possible to hike the entire 1000 miles.

The route passes through 37 counties containing about 40 percent of the state's population. The trail is used by people out for an afternoon stroll as well as those planning to hike the trail from one end of the state to the other.

Mountains to Sea Trail has announced the first online day-hike guides for the 1000-mile trail.

September 9, 2013

ONLINE DAY-HIKE GUIDES GIVE ‘SNEAK PREVIEW’

OF MST TRAILS AT FALLS LAKE, ENO RIVER AND BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY 

Just in time for fall the Friends of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail (FMST) has created the first online day-hike guides for three sections of the 1000-mile Trail.

“While we welcome long distance hikers, for most people the trail offers opportunities to get away from it all for a few hours without carrying a big backpack,” said Kate Dixon, FMST executive director. “Just a few minutes after starting hikers will be surrounded by beautiful sights, sounds and serenity.”

Each guide includes information about distance, degree of difficulty, connecting trails, an easy-to-use map and very detailed descriptions of each leg of the trail., plus photos and videos. The information is under Happening Now on the organization’s web page, www.ncmst.org.  Joe Miller, writer and blogger at www.getgoingnc.com and www.nchikes.com, assisted in producing the guides.

“These guides provide a sneak preview that we hope will encourage both occasional and experienced hikers to give these shorter trails a try,” said Dixon. Day hikes for the Falls Lake Trail in northern Wake and Durham counties, the Eno River near Durham and the northern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway are featured. The goal is to eventually have online guides for every major area that the MST runs through. .

The guide for the Eno River portion of the MST features five day hikes. Most of the trails are around two miles in length. The Blue Ridge guide describes 15 sections ranging from 3.7 miles to 10 miles. The Falls Lake Trail, at 60 miles one of the longest MST sections in the state, has 18 day hikes from less than a mile to seven miles. Most are in the 2-3 mile range.

The FMST is in the process of developing a day-hike guide for the Neusiok section in Eastern North Carolina. The existing Neusiok guide is limited to detailed information on how to use car shuttles to get to trailheads. There are seven sections in the Neusiok trail ranging from under two miles to nearly seven.

The MST is part of North Carolina’s state trail system. It stretches from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains to Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer Banks. FMST is a non-profit volunteer organization that helps build and maintain the trail.

Chimney Rock Guided Hikes Explore the Changing Seasons

September 22   Saturdays at Four Seasons Guided Hikes at Chimney Rock Park   Enjoy a complimentary guided hike (with paid Park admission) on the Four Seasons trail at Chimney Rock Park. You will witness nature’s changing seasons on this 0.6-mile moderate-to-strenuous hike which starts at the Meadows and climbs 400 feet of elevation to the top parking lot. This hike is NOT recommended for children under 12.

The trail winds through hardwood trees and past thickets of Carolina Rhododendron, mountain laurel, abundant wildflowers and indigenous plants. Sign-up is the same day at Cliff Dwellers and is limited to 20 people. Meet for the hike near the climbing tower on the Meadows at 1 PM.

Get a link and details for the Four Seasons Hike at Chimney Rock Park and other NC hikes and trails on the NC Hiking and Mountain Trails Guide.

Guided Hike this weekend at Chimney Rock Park

September 15   Saturdays at Four Seasons Guided Hikes at Chimney Rock Park A complimentary guided hike (with paid Park admission) on the Four Seasons trail. Witness nature’s changing seasons on this 0.6-mile moderate-to-strenuous hike starts at the Meadows and climbs 400 feet of elevation to the top parking lot.

This hike is not recommended for children under 12. This trail winds through hardwood trees and past thickets of Carolina Rhododendron, mountain laurel, abundant wildflowers and indigenous plants. Same-day signup at Cliff Dwellers; limited to 20 people. Meet for the hike near the climbing tower on the Meadows at 1 PM.

Get a link and learn more about Chimney Rock Park hikes on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Grandfather Mountain Hosts KidFest Today

September 8, 2012   KidFest at Grandfather Mountain A day designed to get kids excited about the nature and culture of the North Carolina Mountains through fun and entertaining activities. Guided hikes, games, storytellers, music and fun. The events are free with park admission.

Get links for current Grandfather Mountain events on the Linville NC Visitor Guide or the Blowing Rock Visitor Guide

Grandfather Mountain is the highest mountain in the Blue Ridge Mountain range at an elevation of 5,964 feet. The Mountain is owned by a nonprofit Stewardship Foundation and is operated as a scenic travel attraction and a world-class nature preserve.

The Mile High Swinging Bridge was one of the original features of the attraction giving visitors easy access to the breath-taking view from Grandfather Mountain's Linville Peak. Today, there are dozens of of things to do and events offered including walking and hiking trails; Naturalist programs; the Nature Museum; birding and geology; wildlife habitats; Mildred's Grill and The Fudge Shop. Grandfather Mountain is located at 2050 Blowing Rock Highway in Linville NC.

Friends of Panthertown Volunteer Opportunity

Summer is almost over and students are heading back to school. Your next volunteer opportunity with Friends of Panthertown will be on Saturday, August 25. Volunteers will come in from the western entrance to Panthertown Valley at the Salt Rock Gap trail-head at the end of Breedlove Road in Cashiers. Volunteering is a lot of fun and all are welcome to participate. The day will  be spent maintaining the Blackrock Trail (#447) and Overlook Trail (#491). The group will hike down Carlton's Way, North Road Trail (#453), and Panthertown Valley Trail (#474) with a stop at the Salt Rock Gap overlook. 

Volunteers enjoying lunch on the Overlook Trail.

Volunteers come from throughout the region to enjoy a day in the backcountry working with other hikers, mountain bikers, rock climbers, scouts, equestrians, and nature lovers. New volunteers are always welcome. Tools are provided and the trail days are a great way to give back to Panthertown. REI Asheville is providing store discount coupons for those who show up, plus each volunteer gets entered into a drawing to win some awesome REI gear!

Friends of Panthertown volunteers will meet at the Salt Rock Gap trail-head at 9:30 AM. and the group will then hike in to help maintain and prune nearby trails on the eastern side of Panthertown Valley.  There will be plenty of summer wildflowers in bloom and this will be a great opportunity to enjoy Panthertown with other Friends. Trail volunteers are asked to pack a lunch, bring plenty of water, wear good shoes, and bring a pair of work gloves and pruners if you have them (we’ll also have some to loan out). The hike will be less than 5 miles on easy to moderate trails and will conclude by 3 PM.

The Friends of Panthertown is  an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to work in partnership with the USDA Forest Service to conserve this outstanding natural resource while improving the quality and experience of recreational opportunities in Panthertown Valley.

Panthertown Valley is one of the most spectacular areas in the southeast with cascading waterfalls, trout streams, panoramic views, sheer granite cliffs, the headwaters of the Tuckaseegee River and the east fork of Little Tennessee River. This 6,300 acre backcountry area in Nantahala National Forest offers visitors a wide variety of places to explore and has become a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, rock climbers, anglers, school groups, summer camps, scout troops, ornithologists, etc.

Get a link for more details about Panthertown Valley on the Sapphire Valley NC Visitor Guide.

NC Hikes: Off the Beaten Path in Chimney Rock Park

August 11 - Chimney Rock Park  Off the Beaten Path Guided Hike: Big Basswood Adventure Hike up and down a bit of slope, between a few boulders and shrubs and weaving beneath tall trees, hikers will be led into a hidden cove where the state’s largest basswood tree lives. Several other large trees are its neighbors, and wildflowers carpet the forest floor. This is a 2-hour+ moderately-strenuous hike. Meet at the rest rooms in the Meadows at 11AM.

Panthertown Valley Celebrates National Trails Day

A hiker visits Schoolhouse Falls

June 2, 9:30 AM to 3 PM - Panthertown Valley features more than 30 miles of public trails and footpaths spread out over 6,300 acres. Join Friends of Panthertown and REI Asheville . to celebrate the 20th anniversary of American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day®.

This combination fun hike, swim and work project will have participants meet at the Cold Mountain Gap (east) entrance to Panthertown Valley near Lake Toxaway. Bring your bathing suit. There will be an opportunity to go swimming at the very popular Schoolhouse Falls. Get dirty helping with trail work and earn a limited-edition REI volunteer shirt. A light trail breakfast will also be offered by REI for those who show up at the trailhead by 9:30 a.m.   Register here.

All ages are welcome at this family-friendly event. Well-behaved leashed dogs are also welcome to join us on the trails.

Please wear closed-toe shoes, dress to get dirty, bring lunch and snacks, plenty of water, and any other personal (medical) items you may need. Some tools and gloves will be provided to loan-out, but bring your own work gloves and pruners if you have them. Limited to 40 participants and spots are filling up fast! Registration is required. For more information call (828) 269-HIKE (4453) or www.panthertown.org.

Chimney Rock Park Hosts Family Wellness Day

June 2   "On the Move" Family Wellness Day    For decades Chimney Rock Park has promoted hiking as a great way to stay fit and connect with nature. During the 2nd Annual Family Wellness Day both adults and children are encouraged to get “On the Move” at Chimney Rock and learn how to establish a healthier exercise routine and diet.

In conjunction with National Trails Day (June 2) there will be guided hikes, health screenings and lots of information on healthy living from many community partners.

Get a link for Chimney Rock Park and more local information on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Support the Mountains to Sea Trail on National trails Day - June 2

VOLUNTEER to build and maintain the trail near Waynesville, on the Haw River in Alamance County, or on the Eno River or at Falls Lake in the Triangle. For more information, check out the MST calendar for these and other events.

SHOP at any Great Outdoor Provision Co. store on June 2nd, and 10% of what you spend will be donated to FMST. We'll use the money to make grants to North Carolina land trusts to acquire new land and easements where we can build the MST.Mountains-to-Sea Trail connects Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to Jockey's Ridge State Park on the Outer Banks with 1000 miles of footpaths and temporary connectors. Currently 500 miles of footpaths are complete with work crews, mostly volunteers, continuing construction. The connectors make it possible to hike the entire 1000 miles.

The route passes through 37 counties containing about 40 percent of the state's population. The trail is used by people out for an afternoon stroll as well as those planning to hike the trail from one end of the state to the other.