Lucky 32 Restaurant November 1
Westover Terrace, Greensboro Thursday
We haven’t gone to Lucky 32 for a long time. This mid-priced restaurant located at 1421 Westover Terrace boasts a congenial atmosphere and an excellent menu that is changed each month. Let’s meet at 6:30 PM for a fun evening. Call Joyce by Wednesday evening to confirm your reservation.
Stone Mountain November 3
Stone Mountain State Park Saturday
Today we will be doing a strenuous hike with many stream crossings and a lot of elevation gain and loss. Let’s hope that the leaves will be in full color like they were last year in early November. I do not know the length of this hike. Expect to be on the trail 5 to 7 hours. Plan on leaving Shoney’s at 7:30 AM (I-40 & NC-68). There is no need to call or e-mail unless you have questions.
[11 - 13 miles elevation unknown]
Lake Brandt November 4
Greensboro Watershed Trails Sunday
Today we will hike 5 miles at Lake Brandt. This will not be a fast pace hike, so plan to spend almost 3 hours on the hike and shuttle. Please meet at Lake Brandt Marina at 2 PM in the lower parking lot. Park close to the trail head sign. There is no need to call unless you have questions.
[5 miles +/- 200 feet R-7]
Wednesday Night Walk November 7
Friendly Shopping Center Wednesday
New Location---The Wednesday walkers will meet at Friendly Shopping Center in the parking lot near Tex & Shirley's at 6:30 PM. We'll be walking through the Bog Garden and Bicentennial Garden. Rain or shine. The group will go to dinner after the walk.
Mimi's Café November 8
Friendly Shopping Center Thursday
Let's beat the weekend crowd and meet at Mimi's café at 7:00 on a Thursday night for some home cooking. There are plenty of menu selections to please everyone. Mimi's is located in the Shoppes at Friendly. While satisfying our appetites, we can feast our eyes on the interesting way Mimi's is decorated. Last chance to reserve a spot for this outing is Tuesday the 6th.
Music Jam November 9
Gibsonville Friday
We will gather at my home in Gibsonville for a Friday evening filled with music and laughter. This is the best exercise off the trail! Bring the musical instrument of your choice or just sing along with the group. All are welcome. 7 PM - 11 PM
Chestnut Ridge/Other Trails November 10
South Mountain State Park Saturday
We will hike approximately ten miles in South Mountain State Park, an 18,000-acre park 20 miles south of Morganton, on some new trails along with some that are familiar to 'repeat' hikers. We’ll begin with a two-mile gradual but sustained elevation gain up to the Chestnut Knob overlook (elevation 2,291 ft) with good views of the surrounding 'baby' mountains. The park offers a diverse ecology that includes conifers and hardwoods and seemingly sub-tropical areas along the streams. We will definitely include the high shoals waterfall on our trek. Although there is some elevation gain, this hike is not considered strenuous. There are no stream crossings. Call or email for meeting place and time.
Laurel Bluff & Reedy Fork November 11
Greensboro Watershed Trails Sunday
This hike goes around part of Lake Townsend. Directions to trailhead: go north on Lake Brandt Rd. (Lawndale Dr. turns into Lake Brandt Rd.). Go past the marina entrance on your left, then past the pumping station on your right, cross over the bridge at the dam, and park in the gravel lot on your right. Meet at the trail entrance at 1 PM.
[7.5 miles R-8]
November Meeting November 12
High Point Monday
Meet for refreshments and fellowship at 7:00 PM in the Piedmont Environmental Center. The business meeting and program will start at 7:30. A map to the PEC is above.
Tom Shepherd, long time esteemed staff member of the Piedmont Environmental Center, will present a program on orienteering, map reading, compass use and the global positioning system. Come and learn how not to get lost in the woods.
Wednesday Night Walk November 14
See November 7 for details. Wednesday
12.5 Mile Greensboro Hike November 17
Greensboro Watershed Trails Saturday
Just what we've been waiting for....a nice long hike without a long drive, which will put you back at home in the early afternoon. Let's meet at the nature center/ picnic tables/ lake at BurMill Park at 8:15 AM for a walk out Owl's Roost trail and around Lake Brandt, with a bathroom stop opportunity at the 6 mile mark at the Marina. This is a scenic and somewhat long hike, but does not have many difficult climbs. It will take 4-5 hours. Bring a snack and water, but no lunch since we will go to Ham's Brassfield after the hike for a sandwich, etc.
[12.5 miles R-23]
Townsend Trail November 18
Greensboro Watershed Trails Sunday
This trail meanders through the woods and around the shore of Lake Townsend. It is fairly flat and is 4 miles long. We will go out and back, making it a total of 8 miles. If interested, meet at the trailhead by the soccer fields at 12:30 or call with questions. Directions: Head east on Pisgah Church Rd. It becomes Lee's Chapel Rd near the intersection of Yanceyville Rd. Continue straight on Lee's Chapel until the end, also known as a T. Turn left, cross over the railroad tracks. Go about 0.3 miles and gravel parking area is on the left.
[8 miles R-9]
Wednesday Night Walk November 21
See November 7 for details. Wednesday
Pilot Mountain November 24
Pilot Mountain State Park Saturday
A great way to lose some of the trimmings from Thanksgiving Dinner: ten miles at Pilot Mountain for a relatively easy Saturday hike. We will start at the Ranger’s Station at the entrance and follow Grassy Ridge Trail to Pinnacle Hotel Road. Here we pick up Mountain trail, which leads us to the base of the Mountain to Ledge Spring trail. Ledge Spring is somewhat strenuous, but doable even for Wednesday night and Sunday hikers. From Ledge Spring, we will continue on to the Jomeokee Trail around the knob. We’ll finish the hike, after a brief stop at the top of the mountain, down the Grindstone Trail back to the Ranger Station where we started. We will meet at Shoney’s at I-40 & NC 68 at 8:00 AM or at the Ranger Station parking lot at 9:00 AM.
[~10 miles R-25]
Moore’s Knob November 25
Hanging Rock State Park Sunday
This is a 4 1/2 mile hike to a great 360 degree view at the top. Meet at Shoney's at I-40 & NC 68 at 12:30 PM or at the Hanging Rock Visitor's Center at 1 PM.
[4.5 miles R-12]
Wednesday Night Walk November 28
See November 7 for details. Wednesday
Primitive Trail December 1
Doughton Park Saturday
This is a strenuous hike, going up from Primitive Trail up to Blue Ridge Parkway and coming down by way of Flat Rock Ridge Trail. There is a 3 mile steep rocky climb starting from the 1.5 marker. Since Doughton Park is close by, we will definitely be home in time for dinner. Only the strong and stupid should attempt this hike.
[13 miles +/- 1500 feet R-37]
Lake Brandt Loop December 2
Greensboro Watershed Trails Sunday
Let’s hike the Owl's Roost, Nat Greene, and Piedmont trails that border Lake Brandt. We will start at the Bur-Mil Fishing Pier (below the Wildlife Center) and hike Owl's Roost to the Greenway, cross over Michael Weaver Bridge, hike Nat Greene from the Greenway to the Lake Brandt Marina, cross over the Lake Brandt dam and hike the Piedmont trail, after which we will walk back along the Greenway to the Fishing Pier at the Wildlife Center. We will need to maintain a steady pace to finish before dusk.
Those who wish can make it a 5 mile hike by walking back to the Fishing Pier along the Greenway after completing Owl's Roost. Directions: Go north on Battleground (220). Once at Horse Pen Creek on the left, proceed one mile more on 220 to the traffic light at Owl's Roost Road. Turn right at Owl's Roost, and then left into Bur-Mil Country Club Park. Bear right at the Country Club and park in the circular lot at the bottom of the hill
[11 miles R-15]
New Member Orientation/Hike December 2
Greensboro Watershed Trails Sunday
New Members – Come for an informal and informational session to learn a little about the Piedmont Hiking & Outing Club. We will meet at 1:00 PM at the Lake Higgins Marina on Hamburg Mill Rd in the small conference room to discuss anything you may want to know to make your experience with the club more enjoyable. We will also talk about what might be expected of you as a member. At about 2:00 we will take a short hike in the marina area and may be joined by other club members. Bring water, snacks, comfortable shoes, weather appropriate apparel and good humor.
Wednesday Night Walk December 5
See November 7 for details. Wednesday
Car Camping Weekend December 7-9
Pettigrew State Park Fri-Sun
Pettigrew State Park is located in eastern NC on the banks of Lake Phelps. The weather is still warm and the snow geese are there by the thousands. Also adjacent is Somerset Place, an old plantation and the house is decorated for Christmas. On Sunday, we will check out the geese on Pongo Lake. Don’t forget your cameras.
Flat Rock Ridge & Grassy Gap December 8
Doughton Park Saturday
Today we will do a loop hike in Doughton Park. We will hike the Flat Rock Ridge Trail, one-mile on the Bluff Mountain Trail and the Grassy Gap Fire Rd. Please note that there are several stream crossings on the way back. Plan on leaving Shoney’s at 7:30 (I-40 & NC-68)
[12.5 miles +-2300 feet R-36]
CHRISTMAS PARTY December 8
RSVP DEADLINE
Please, please, please, either sign-up by today or wait until next year. Food needs to be ordered, so a head count is required.
PEC Walk December 9
High Point Sunday
For those of you who miss our Wednesday evening walks at the Piedmont Environmental Center, come with Joyce on a late fall Sunday afternoon. We’ll meet at 2:00 PM and walk to Gibson Park and back for a total of seven miles. To carry on the PEC tradition, we’ll hit one of the nearby restaurants for an early Sunday dinner. No need to call unless you have questions. This is an excellent outing for newcomers to get to know the club members.
December Meeting December 10
High Point Monday
Meet for refreshments and fellowship at 7:00 PM in the Piedmont Environmental Center. The business meeting and program will start at 7:30. A map to the PEC is in this newsletter.
Craig Koretoff, assistant professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program at GTCC, won top prize in the 45th annual World Open Gold Panning Championship in Dahlonega, GA on April 21, 2007. Come and learn how you can strike it rich panning for gold while hiking your favorite trail.
Wednesday Night Walk December 12
See November 7 for details. Wednesday
1618 West Seafood Grill December 13
Greensboro Thursday
Anyone for fine dining at one of Greensboro's best restaurants? Located at 1618 West Friendly Avenue, this lovely establishment serves contemporary, continental cuisine and is known for its excellent presentation. With great service and a relaxed atmosphere, 1618 West even offers a three-course, early bird special ($12.95) from 5:30 to 7 PM. For more information or to be included in our reservation, please email or call by December 9th.
No additional “RSVPs” after the deadline, please.
Brinegar Cabin December 15
Doughton Park Saturday
We will hike up 4 1/2 miles to Brinegar Cabin and have lunch and then back down 4 1/2 miles. This is a neat winter hike with no stream crossings, and if we are lucky we might see some snow. Meet at Shoney's at I-40 & NC 68 at 8 AM. Rated moderate
[9 miles +/- 2200 feet R-29]
Christmas Party December 15
Greensboro Saturday 7PM
Come celebrate our 25th anniversary at the Christmas Party! Thanks to Fred Craig, we will again be partying at R.H. Barringer, 1620 Fairfax Road, Greensboro, accessible from Hilltop Road or Merritt Drive.
We will enjoy a wonderful Italian buffet dinner which includes some dishes for our vegetarian members. Deserts and ice tea will also be served. Bring your own adult beverage if you wish. If someone has a special appetizer or dessert they wish to bring, let us know. We will be enjoying a special 25th anniversary cake as well!
After being fabulously full from the meal, more fun begins with our notorious gift exchange. If you wish to join in, bring a wrapped gift, serious or silly, at about $10 - $15. After that, kick off your shoes and hit the dance floor to end the evening!
Cost of event is free to members, $15 for guests.
Reservations are needed by December 8th to Jill. PLEASE RSVP BY DEADLINE TO ENSURE YOUR RESERVATION!!!
North-East Guilford Park December 16
Sunday
Let’s meet at the Caribou Coffee House in Friendly Center at 1 PM and car-pool to the new North-East Guilford Park. We will explore the park for two or three hours and then return to the coffee shop where those who wish can get together for a post-hike cup of coffee.
The Caribou Coffee House is in the Friendly Shopping Center at 3109 Northline Ave, across the street from Great Outdoor Provision (next to Barnes & Noble).
Wednesday Night Walk December 19
See November 7 for details. Wednesday
Indian Creek/Hanging Rock December 22
Hanging Rock State Park Saturday
Let's stay close to home so that the procrastinators can get back in time for some last minute Christmas shopping. We will head to Hanging Rock and hike the Indian Creek trail. We will continue on to the rock and back to our starting point at the Dan River, for a tad under 10 miles. 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 meet at Shoney's at 8:00 AM. Call the hike leader and let them know you are coming.
Wednesday Night Walk December 26
See November 7 for details. Wednesday
Chestnut Knob December 29
Virginia AT Saturday
Hiking the AT in Burkes Garden Va., we will start in the east end and be doing some fairly strenuous uphill to the Chestnut ridge/knob shelter; then hike the AT north along the crest of the mountains for 6.5 miles which is not difficult. We can hike 8 to 12 to 16 miles depending on group and weather. Chestnut Knob is a "must see" for anyone who enjoys high places. By Virginia standards, it’s about as good as it gets. I can't imagine it disappointing anyone on a clear day. The summit marks the southern boundary of the Beartown Wilderness, a remote area covering the second highest ridge in Virginia. Its home to spruce-fir forests with high altitude wet meadows and bogs. The views from the ridge extend well into Tennessee and North Carolina.
Salem Lake December 30
Winston-Salem Sunday
Join us for a leisurely hike around Salem Lake in Winston-Salem. This 7 mile trail is wide and relatively flat with nice views of the lake. For those that wish, we will stop for dinner in Kernersville. Meet at Shoney's at 1:00 PM or at the Salem Lake marina parking lot at 1:30
[7 miles R-8]