(Most) Monday Night Power Walk
Join us for a fast paced walk on Monday nights! Our objective is a good cardiovascular workout. We will walk 7 miles on the city greenway maintaining at least a 4 mph pace. We will meet in the parking lot behind Belk's at Friendly (park at the corner of Friendly and Green Valley) at 6 p.m. Please call if you plan to attend as we may vary our route. Hope to see you there!
9/1, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29, 10/6, 10/20, 10/27
Every Tuesday Night Contra Dancing
Meet at the Vintage Theater- Winston Salem. There is a beginning lesson starting at 7:30 p.m. Dancing is from 8-10 p.m. Afterwards we will go to eat at the IHOP off Silas Creek Parkway.
Every Wednesday Night Walk
Wednesday PEC, High Point
For some mid-week exercise, meet at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot at the Piedmont Environmental Center. After a brisk walk, the group will go to dinner.
September 6 Boone Fork Trail
Saturday MP 300 BRP
Boone Fork Trail is conveniently located off the Blue Ridge Parkway between Blowing Rock and Linville. This five mile loop will take us through deep woods, meadows, and along a rushing stream with impressive cascades. Some parts are somewhat technical but not too difficult. It’s a good hike to get yourself orientated to this area as many other trails veer off it. If it has rained, there will be wet areas to navigate. We’ll meet at Shoney’s (NC 68/1-40) at 7:30 a.m. Please email with any questions.
[5.0 miles 440 feet elevation gain]
September 7 Kayak Training and Safety Course
Sunday Belews Lake
This course is for everyone; beginners and experienced who may want to paddle kayaks on waters excluding higher-level whitewater. The course will be conducted by the staff of GET:OUTDOORS and will cover kayak knowledge, basic strokes, safety, rescue and recovery. It will be conducted on the water at Belews Lake. There is a $10 fee if you provide your own boat and $20 if a kayak is provided for you on site. The total class is limited to 25 participants and 16 kayaks can be rented. The course begins at 3 p.m. and afterwards, we will share a potluck picnic on the lake.
Contact Joel for more specifics and to get your fee to reserve you spot for the course.
September 7 Piedmont Trail
Sunday Greensboro Watershed Trails
Meet at the Strawberry Road parking access near 220 North at 3 p.m. We will walk 1 hour out, 1 hour back. Afterwards we will go out to eat at Hams.
September 8 Monthly Meeting
Monday Piedmont Environmental Center
Meet for refreshments and fellowship at 7 p.m. at the Piedmont Environmental Center. The business portion and program will start at 7:30 p.m. A map to the PEC is shown on page 8.
Wilderness First Aid. Stuff happens and all of us should be knowledgeable about the proper first aid steps. Do you know the basics and when was your last refresher course? Nita Grubbs, a nurse and veteran medical instructor for the Boy Scouts will present a program tailored to our outdoor interests.
September 12 Moon Over Buffalo
Friday Broach Theatre
Join me for what promises to be a great evening of fun at this award-winning theatre at 520 S. Elm Street. Take a husband and wife acting team whose marriage is on the rocks and cast them as the feuding couple in a production of PRIVATE LIVES and the sparks fly both on stage and off. Written by Ken Ludwig, author of the comedy hit, Leading Ladies, this is guaranteed to make you laugh 'til you hurt.
15 spots will be reserved. Call or email ASAP to reserve yours -- first come, first served. Ticket price $20; if there's interest, we'll meet at 6 p.m. for dinner downtown before the play. Curtain time is 8 p.m.
September 13 Corridor Road from Pilot Mountain to Yadkin River
Saturday Pinnacle, NC
This hikes starts in the Pinnacle Parking lot at the base of Pilot Mountain. We will hike the Horse Trail thru the corridor of rolling hills from Pilot Mountain to the Yadkin River and return. This hike does not have a lot of elevation but is constantly rolling. Leave Shoney’s at 7 a.m.
[14-15 miles, +/- 900, R28]
September 14 Jamestown Hike & History Lesson
Sunday Piedmont Environmental Center
Let’s meet at the Piedmont Environmental Center for a five mile hike in the woods on Lakeshore trail and the Greenway. After a great cardio workout on the trail, we will go tour the Historic Mendenhall Plantation ½ a mile away. Admission to Mendenhall is $2.
At the Mendenhall Plantation, "The Other South" (in contrast to TARA of “Gone With the Wind fame) of 19th century dissenters, see how they lived, and learn of their anti-slavery and pacifist views, their respect for education, honesty, plain living, and self-reliance.
We often see misconceptions defused during these tours. The complex, with its 1811 house and fine old bank barn, cluster of outbuildings, and a tanning table where Richard Mendenhall carried on his tanner's trade, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Another jewel on the property is a restored wagon. This wagon has a false bottom and was actually used to transport slaves during the underground railroad movement. Should be finished around 4:30 p.m.
Please call or email if planning to attend.
September 19 Rearn Thai Restaurant
Friday Market St, Greensboro
Almost everyone agrees that Rearn Thai has the best Thai food in town. Please join us for this reasonable priced cuisine. Call by Wednesday, Sept 17 if you plan to attend. Location: 5120 W Market St., Greensboro. Hope to see you there!
September 19 – 21 Kayaking /Biking / Camping
Friday-Sunday New River Trail State Park
Join us for another great outing at Foster Falls Campground in the New River Trail State Park, a 57 mile linear park along the New River in VA. It is located where I-77 crosses the New River, only 1.5 hours from Greensboro. We will group camp on Baker Island in the river. It is perhaps the most beautiful group campsite in the East. It is very private and located beside musical rapids. The campground is primitive with pleasant outhouses but no water or showers.
On Saturday, we will leave from the campsite and canoe/kayak downstream approximately 11.4 miles (about 5 hours). The beautiful river is appropriate for novice paddlers and up. On Sunday, we will bike the New River Trail upstream toward Fries, VA and back. I expect multiple groups: fast, slow and in-between.
The campsite space is limited to 24. Boats and bikes can be rented at the park. You can elect to join us for only the day's boating or biking. Call or email for more specifics.
September 20 Mt Mitchell to Celo Knob
Saturday Black Mountain Crest Trail
This is an out-and-back hike on the Black Mountain Crest Trail from Mt Mitchell to Celo Knob. This trail has the reputation of being the most rugged in the southeast with ups and downs all day across multiple 6000-foot peaks.
In addition to Mt Mitchell, we will cross Mt Craig, Big Tom, Balsam Cone, Cattail Peak, Potato Hill, Winterstar, Gibbs, and Celo Knob. The trail from Winterstar to Celo Knob is not well maintained and the hiker should expect shoulder-high growth and a hard-to-follow trail in some sections.
This is an extremely difficult hike with a lot of elevation gain, rocky terrain, some bushwhacking, and is for strong experienced hikers only. Weather is extremely variable at this altitude, so bring rain gear and plenty of water. Please email or call for meeting time and place.
[14 miles +/- 4400 feet R58]
September 21 Nat Greene Hike
Sunday Lake Brandt
Let's take a leisurely hike along Lake Brandt on the Nat Greene Trail, a PHOC sponsored trail. Parks & Rec. says this trail is 3.6 miles so out & back makes it 7.2 miles. Meet at the trail head in the lower lot at the marina off Lake Brandt Road at 1 p.m. There is no need to call in advance.
[7.2 miles R8]
September 27 Cold Mt/Shining Rock
Saturday Shining Rock Wilderness
Join Dale & Matt for one of two hikes in the Shining Rock Wilderness, both leaving from the Daniel Boone Boy Scout Camp southwest of Asheville. Dale will lead a group up to Deep Gap and continue up to Cold Mt and return the same way. Matt will lead a group on a loop that goes Deep Gap, south along the Art Loeb Trail, takes a side-trip over Shining Rock, back to the Art Loeb Trail, and finally down a horse-trail along a creek. Because this is a wilderness area, the maximum number in each group is 10 people. Depending on the number of people in each, we may stagger the departure time from the parking lot. We'll get an early start and try to get back to Black Mountain for a hearty German meal after the hike. Plan on an early start and a long day!
Cold Mt. [10.5 miles +/-2750 feet R40]
Shining Rock [12.5 miles +/- 3000 feet R46]
September 28 Lake Brandt Hike
Sunday Greensboro Watershed Trails
Today at 2:30 we will hike at Lake Brandt. Please meet in the Lake Brandt Marina parking lot near the trail head {on the left as you enter the marina parking lot.} There is no need to contact Hubert unless you have questions.
[7 miles+- 300 feet R10]
October 4 Doughton Park Loop
Saturday Doughton Park
This is the perfect time of year to enjoy a cool hike and glorious foliage at Doughton Park. This hike is a loop of approximately 17 miles. We will start from Long Bottom Road, hike up Cedar Ridge to the Parkway, weave our way back and forth along the Parkway on the Bluff Mountain Trail, and descend back to our starting point via the Flat Rock Ridge Trail. Due to the length of the hike, this outing is for experienced hikers only. Please don't forget to bring plenty of water and rain gear (although I am planning for sunny weather, the higher powers do not always meet with my wishes). We will stop in Elkin for dinner. Let's meet at Shoney's at 7:30 am. Please call Nicole and let her know you're coming.
[~17 miles +/-1500 feet R41]
October 4 Music Jam/Pot Luck
Saturday Greensboro
Come on out to Joel and Andy’s in Summerfield for a Sat night of jamming, singing and eating. The fun starts at 7:00 p.m. and will be outdoors, weather permitting. Bring your favorite instrument or just your singing voice, plus a chair. All levels of musicians welcome. The club will provide all paper products, soft drinks and pork barbeque, as long as it lasts. Please bring a dish to share while we listen to music. Musicians- please RSVP to Sue Roush. We want to make sure we have enough of you to listen to!
RSVP’s aren’t mandatory for this event.
October 5 Country/Battleground Park
Sunday 12:30 p.m. Greensboro
We will begin at Country Park and walk through both parks. Calling/emailing not necessary.
October 5 Roller skating
Sunday Rol-A-Rink, High Point
Sunday roll! R-4 Fun. Well, how about going back to the good ole' days and let's go roller skating! Yes. Meet at Rol-A Rink Skating Center ,2421 N. Main St. High Point anytime between 2:30 and 5 p.m. (phone is 869-3715, if needed.) Believe me, if you skated as a youngster, you can still do it! Skating is exhilarating, burns calories, good for cardio, toning and bone density for you ladies. Just come into the rink and I will figure out who you are or you find me and then skate as you wish. BYOS (bring your own skates, regular or in-line) or rentals are available. Cost is $3.50 Admission, regular adult skate rental is $1.50 and adult in-line skate rental is $2.50. Remember...what happens at the skating rink, stays at the skating rink.
Please e-mail me or call if you are planning on coming.
October 10-12 Car Camping Trip
Friday-Sunday Sherando Lake, Virginia
Please join us for our fourth annual trip to sparkling Sherando Lake for a deluxe camping experience. This gorgeous state park features a fabulous picnic shelter with a big, stone fireplace (it's ours all weekend, thanks to Fred), hot showers, easy and moderate hiking, mountain biking, fishing and kayaking. The trip will include a group spaghetti dinner on Saturday night. If you would like to attend, please email Amy Murphy by October 1st for details and directions. The trip will be limited to the first 30 people who sign up. Hope you can join us for our '08 fun and relaxing weekend!
October 11 Primitive/Brinegar Cabin
Saturday Doughton Park
Let's meet at 7:30 a.m. at Shoney's (I-40/Hwy. 68) or 8:00 at Jonestown McDonald's (in W-S) for a 90-minute drive to Doughton Park for a 12.5 mile hike. 2.8 miles of this hike (Primitive Trail) is very steep (2400 feet elevation gain---take your time); the rest is level or downhill with great views. We will stop briefly on the way to the trailhead at Foothills Grocery for a coffee/biscuit. This hike is a great combination of very hard and not very hard. Post-hike bite in Elkin is a possibility. Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.
[12.5 miles +/-2400 feet R39]
October 12 Gibson Park Hike
Sunday Gibson Park
Let's meet at 2:00 p.m. at Gibson Park in Greensboro for a 5 mile walk on the greenway and through the woods. This is a very pleasant and sometimes scenic walk of 2-3 hours. Directions to Gibson Park: Go west on Wendover, over I-40 about 3.4 miles, turn left at the Gibson Park sign, and go about 1 mile to the end of the road, to the parking lot adjacent to the last restrooms and picnic tables. No need to call unless questions.
[5 miles R6]
October 12 New River Bike Ride
Sunday New River Trail State Park
This will be a 32-mile, out-and-back ride at Virginia’s New River Trail State Park—one of the southeast’s best rails-to-trails conversions. The relatively flat and car-traffic-free ride begins at Foster Falls, a village that dates from the mid-1800s and features, among other things, a railroad depot, hotel, saw-and-gristmill, and iron furnace. Our trip will take us by Shot Tower, a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark, through the 135-foot New River train tunnel, and on to the town of Austinville, the birthplace of Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas.” As we continue, we will cross the river via the 670-foot Ivanhoe Trestle, which is a great place to stop for water and enjoy the panorama of the river valley. Shortly after passing two dams built in 1913 for the Appalachian Power Company, we will arrive at our turnaround point and shady lunch spot where the Chestnut Creek spur of the trail from Galax meets the main trail from Fries. There is a nominal parking fee at Foster Falls. The trail requires a mountain or hybrid bike
October 13 Monthly Meeting
Monday Piedmont Environmental Center
Meet for refreshments and fellowship at 7 p.m. at the Piedmont Environmental Center. The business portion and program will start at 7:30 p.m. A map to the PEC is shown on page 8.
Bill Holloman, president of Greensboro Ski and Outing Club, will take a few minutes to discuss his club's organization and opportunities.
Mike Bianco will present a slide presentation and talk of his experience working on the AT Conservancy Konnarock Trail Crew.
October 18 Bluff Mountain
Saturday Doughton Park
Come enjoy the fall colors on the Blue Ridge Parkway. This hike has beautiful views and
one small climb. We will stop for lunch, cobbler and ice cream at the restaurant half way through the hike. Call for meeting place and time.
[7 miles +/- 700 feet R15]
October 16 – 19 Backpacking Trip
Thu-Sun Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Erik Lloyd 508-1627 Call 6 – 9 p.m.
Spend four days and three nights in the East’s largest national park. Our planned 35 mile hike will take us by 3 waterfalls, over 8 stream crossings and by the Mr. Camerer Fire Tower. This fire tower is a restored 1930’s vintage CCC project, with spectacular 360 degree views, (Bring your camera). We will tent camp our first night and sleep in shelters on the AT the last two nights out. Parts of the hike are strenuous, especially day two. But the scenery and the fall colors make every step worth it. This hike is limited to a maximum of 8 people due the park regulations. Reservations need to be made by September 15.
October 18 Heartbreak Ridge+
Saturday Old Fort, NC
We’ll hike up Heartbreak Ridge near Old Fort and follow the trail over to the old Toll Road. We’ll follow that almost to the Blue Ridge Parkway, and then hike up Blue Ridge Pinnacle for lunch looking out at the Black Mountains . Dinner will be in Morganton afterwards (sorry to disappoint those fans of that little café in Old Fort).
[13 miles +/- 3500 feet R48]
October 18 Bowling
Saturday Triad Lanes
Meet at Triad Bowling Lanes at 6:45 p.m.; Bowling from 7-10 p.m.; Costs per individual not figured yet (have to wait on RSVPs); RSVP one week prior; Prizes given to the lowest and highest bowlers. Extreme Fun
October 19 Salem Lake Bike Ride
Sunday Winston-Salem
Let's hope the weather is clear and cool for a bike ride around Salem Lake and over to Market Place Mall and back. We'll start at the fishing hut at Salem Lake at 1:00 p.m. and ride 7 miles around the lake to the dam. Then we'll follow Salem Creek Greenway to Market Place Mall and back for an additional 9 miles. This should give us a pleasant ride with very little elevation. Any bike suitable for the hard dirt road around the lake and the asphalt greenway is just fine.
[16 miles]
October 19 New Member Orientation/Hike
Sunday Lake Higgins Marina
New members – Come for an informal and informational session to learn a little about the Piedmont Hiking & Outing Club. We will meet at 1:30 p.m. 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 2:30 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. Call or e-mail if you have questions.
October 19 Orienteering
Sunday noon-3 p.m. Umstead Park
Test your map and compass skills at Umstead Park by participating in the Backwoods Orienteering Klub's monthly meet. Several courses, with varying levels of difficulty, will be laid out. Compete for best time or take a more leisurely "map hike." Beginners can take a lesson from Klub president and expert orienteer, Joseph Huberman, at 12:30. Call or email for more info.
October 25 Tinkers Cliff along AT
Saturday Virginia
Today we are offering two options for a day hike. You can either join Anna for a 6-7 miles round trip hike to Tinkers Cliff. The half-mile long rock cliff overlooks the Catawba Valley and North Mountain. The picturesque view is certainly worth the trouble of the 3 miles long climb to the cliff. For the strong and stupid, we will start from the opposite end, climbing up to McAfee Knob and then come down towards Tinkers Cliff; hopefully we will join up with the short hike group back to the trailhead. The long hike will be 12 miles. Email or call for details
[Short 6.7 miles +/-1500 feet R20]
[Long 12 miles +2300/-2800 R36]
October 25 Widow’s Creek and MST
Saturday Stone Mountain State Park
This option is suitable for fit hikers who want to enjoy the fall colors in a location closer than the Roanoke area. Although the hike will be demanding because of a steep section near the beginning, the trail surface is exceptionally good, and the scenery up the southeastern slope of the Blue Ridge to the Mahogany Rock Overlook on the parkway will be even more outstanding than usual in late October. Wear hiking boots and bring water, lunch, and rain gear.
[11 miles +/-2000 feet R31]
October 26 Hamilton Lakes
Greensboro Hamilton Lakes
Hamilton Lakes Fall Walk; we can hardly call this a hike. It's really a leisurely stroll from my house, down to Lake Hamilton, through the park to Lake Euphemia where we'll stop for a snack, then back around the north side of the lake and home. The trees should be at their height of fall glory. Bring water, a snack, rain gear, and your camera, as well as your well-behaved canine. Anne will bring the doggie treats.
Meet at 2 pm at The Villas at Hamilton Lakes ----Preys St, just off Muirs Chapel Rd between Tower and Ellenwood. We'll go unless it's actually pouring rain. Ha ha! that's what we said last year, while we prayed for rain! And there's the possibility of going out to eat afterward this less than 3 mile excursion.
[R- Easy]