Monday Night Power Walks
Monday Evening Power Walks will be held August 17, 24, and 31 only. No Monday night Power Walks during July!
Our objective is a good cardiovascular workout. We will walk 7 miles on the city greenway maintaining at least a 4.5 mph pace. If you are working up to this pace, we will catch you on the way back since it is an out and back. We meet in the parking lot behind Belk's at Friendly (corner of Friendly and Green Valley) at 6:00 pm. Please call if you plan to attend as we sometimes vary our route. Hope to see you there!
The Wednesday walkers will meet every Wednesday evening in the parking lot of The Piedmont Environmental Center at 6:30 pm for a brisk walk before dinner. Rain or shine. The group will go to dinner after the walk.
Saturday Hanging Rock State Park
We will have a July 4th hike and still get back home in time for baseball, hotdogs and fireworks. We will start at the Dan River and hike beside Indian Creek up to the visitor center at Hanging Rock State Park. This is a scenic trek with many easy stream crossings and two lovely waterfalls. Once at the parking lot, those who still have "gas in their tank" will continue on up to the Hanging Rock. We will then retrace our steps downhill and reunite with any who chose to wait at the visitor center. Estimated total time on trail including lunch is 5 1/2 hours. Leave Shoney's by 8AM or Dan River Trailhead at 9AM. Estimated time back at Shoney's is 4PM. Please call or email if planning to hike. (R26 10 miles, or R19 8 miles).
Friday 119 East Main Street, Jamestown
Join me at a new favorite local restaurant in Jamestown, Southern Roots at the old “Sadie Mae” location. Lisa Hauley is a favorite local caterer recently turned restaurant owner. There is a great outdoor patio, a nice bar, and casual dining. The meals have a “local flair” with southern dishes, continental cuisine, and good wines. The restaurant is not able to confirm advance reservations at this point so we will likely have to split into separate tables. Please let me know by e-mail or phone if you plan to join in.
Saturday Doughton Park
This long hike gets the hard work (uphill) out of the way early in the morning when it's still cool out. We'll hike up Cedar Ridge to Brinegar Cabin, then follow the Bluff Mountain Trail along the Parkway with fantastic views (weather cooperating), and then come down Flat Rock Trail. Bring lots of water, lunch, and rain gear (just in case). If hikers want to, we'll stop for a bite in Elkin afterwards. Please email or call for meeting place and start time.[17 miles, +/- 3200 ft, R49]
Saturday Moses Cone Memorial Park
Join me on the carriage trails at Moses Cone Memorial Park near Blowing Rock. The carriage trails are well-groomed and have a gentle grade. I plan to walk approximately 11 miles round trip; if participants don't want to walk this far, they can shorten their hike. Our hike will take us past Bass Lake, the Moses Cone Manor House, graveyard, and fire tower--for nice views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Call or email for meeting and locations. (11 miles, +/-1000 feet, R21).
Sunday Umstead Stae Park
Now that David Memory has whipped us into bicycling shape on the New River Trail, let’s try something a little more challenging. William B. Umstead State Park in Raleigh has approximately 13 miles of bike and bridle trails with a surface much like that of the New River Trail. There are some rougher parts with small ruts and loose gravel as well as longer climbs and descents, and at least one creek crossing, but nothing that a rider with some experience can’t handle. You should have tires appropriate for riding trails. In addition, the trail intersects with two (continued) greenways to add as much as 16 more miles. Meet at the Nascar Café at 8:30 AM on the north side of the Four Seasons Mall, with a possible stop in Burlington to pick up additional riders. That should put us on our bikes between 10:00 and 10:30. The total ride distance will be determined by the group, so plan to bring a lunch. There are several places to stop along the way.
Sunday Hanging Rock State Park
We will hike up to Moore's Knob which should have a 360 degree view at the top on a clear day. Meet at Shoney's at 1:00 PM (I-40 & NC-68) or at the Hanging Rock Lake bath house at 1:45 PM. Call if you have any questions. This is a 5.2 mile hike rated R12.
Monday Piedmont Environmental Center
Meet for refreshments and fellowship at 7:00 PM at the Piedmont Environmental Center on Penny Road in Jamestown. The business portion and program will begin at 7:30. Our meeting tonight is a slide show by Mickey Walker on a recent PHOC trip to Arches National Park in Utah. See Delicate Arch and many other red rock formations, Monument Valley, the Four Corners Region, and 12,000 foot mountains of Colorado.
Saturday Rocky Mount, VA
Today we will drive to Rocky Mount Va. and hike for 6.5 miles. This is a trail that people with limited hiking experience will enjoy and it’s only 1 ½ hour drive from Shoney’s. Please meet at Shoney’s and be ready to leave at 8 AM Call or e-mail if you have questions. [R-13, +/- 625 ft, 6.5 miles]
Saturday Roanoke, VA
Today we will visit 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 and start another climb up to the top of McAfee Knob...another gorgeous view. Then we will all end the day with our favorite part...DINNER! Please bring PLENTY OF WATER!!! Call for meeting time and place. (Long hike, 12 miles, R 36).
Sunday Bur Mil-Park, Greensboro
Lets try a little different take on some of our usual trails. We’ll start from the end of the drive at Bur-Mil Park at 2:00 PM (below the Wildlife Barn); head south down the Greenway to the Palmetto Trail; over to Old Battleground Road and back to the Greenway on the Nat Greene Trail. Then up the Greenway to an out and back loop on parts of Owl’s Roost Trail and Fire Lanes (we’ll avoid most of the bikes while still taking in one of the prettiest sections of Owl’s Roost). Then back to Bur-Mil on the Greenway (9.1 mi, R11). Those wanting a somewhat shorter hike can omit the Owls’s Roost Trail / Fire Lane portion and continue back via the Greenway for 5.25 miles. Please call or email if you have questions or want to join us.
Friday Bur-Mil Park
The Club’s annual Pig Pickin will be held on Sunday, August 2nd at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro. This is a catered event. The amount of food for us will depend on our timely RSVP’s. Current PHOC members are free, guests are $10 each. Please act now and RSVP by Friday, July 24.
Saturday Doughton Park
Meet at Shoney’s at 7:00 AM (I-40/Hwy68) or Jonestown McDonalds at 7:30 in Winston. There is a 2400 foot gain in 2.8 miles. This hike is for experienced hikers only who know how to bring enough water for a very tough hike on a hot summer day, at least 3 liters. We will stop at Foothills for a snack on the way and we are not planning on stopping for dinner on the way home. Please call or email to let me know you are coming. (12.5 miles, +/- 2400 feet, R39, plus heat factor).
Saturday Blue Ridge Parkway
This is a beautiful and varied 10 mile walk near Blowing Rock with some great views. The first two miles have some uphill and passes over some rocks. Meet at Greensboro Shoney's (NC 68/I 40) at 7:30 AM orW-S McDonald's (Jonestown Road/421) at 8:00. Post hike dinner possibilities abound. Contact me if you have any questions. (R30, 10 miles, 2000 feet gross gain).
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 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 2:15 we will take a short hike in the marina area and may be joined by other club members. Bring water, comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate apparel and good humor. Call or e-mail if you have questions.
Saturday Julian Price Memorial Park
The first portion of this hike near Blowing Rock will be on the shady and much-loved 5-mile Boone Fork Trail, a major section of which is next to the beautiful and refreshing Boone Fork Creek. The second part of the hike will be the 2.7-mile circuit around picturesque Price Lake. Both trails are reasonably level, but the first one
includes the climb of a short ladder.Those interested in a longer distance can add the 2.5 mile Green Knob Trail for a total of 10.2 miles. Bring plenty of water & lunch; a change of socks may be helpful. An early dinner in Blowing Rock will top the day. Greensboro hikers meet at Shoneys at 8 AM, Winston hikers meet at Jonestown McDonalds at 8:30. Please call or email with any questions. (10 miles max, +/- 900 feet, R20).
Sunday Bur-Mil Park, Shelter #2
This year the club's annual Pig Pickin’ will be held at Bur-Mil Park shelter #2. Shelter #2 is next to the swimming pool on the left side of the road just past the park entrance. Kernersville's famous Prissy Polly's BBQ will be catering. BBQ, sides, dessert and tea will be provided. Adult and other beverages in cans are fine to bring. Bring your favorite folding chair with you. Come on out for the food and fun beginning at 2:00 pm. Food will be served at 3:00 pm. Hiking, swimming, biking, golfing, fishing, volleyball and other activities are available at the park.
Please RSVP by July 24th as we need an accurate count for the caterers. Please email/call if your or your guest’s plans change. Club members attend for free. Guests are $10 each payable at the event.
Saturday Blue Ridge Parkway in VA
The most visited site in the US National Park System is the Blue Ridge Parkway (you can look it up). After the first couple of miles, which include a rather steep uphill section, we’ll amble across open meadows along the Blue Ridge Parkway before descending back into the gorge, lined with gigantic boulders. We will stop at the Ranger Station that sells Good Humor Ice Cream and is only open in the summer and fall on the Parkway. The loop hike ends with several miles along a rushing stream. Please contact me if you are joining us. A caravan will depart from Shoney’s at 7:30 AM and meet any others at Hardees in Stuart, VA at 8:30. (11 miles, 2800 feet, R39).
Saturday Blue Ridge Parkway
It’s hot weather and time to do a Saturday hike without a lot of elevation change. Today we will hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway approximately 4.5 miles to Brinegar Cabin. We will enjoy “Brinegar Cabin Day”, have lunch and continue hiking north for 4.4 miles. Please bring plenty of water, lunch and rain gear. No need to call to go on this hike. Meet at Shoney’s at I-40 & NC68. Please be ready to leave at 8:00 A.M. {R23, +1300 ft -800 ft, 9 miles}
Sunday Greensboro Water Shed Trails
Let’s hike the Nat Greene Trail today. This will be a short hike that will involve a car shuttle. This is a pretty trail with views of Lake Brandt. Please meet in the Lake Brandt Marina lower parking lot near the trail head (on the left as you enter the marina parking lot) at 2:30 PM. There is no need to call to go on this hike. (5 miles, R7, +/- 180 feet).
Monday Piedmont Environmental Center
We do not have a monthly meeting during the month of our Pig Pickin’. Since that event has been moved to August this year, there will be no August meeting.
Saturday Wilson Creek Headwaters
Today we will do the third annual hike that has been a big hit the past two summers. It is a beautiful summer hike with a lot of crossings of Gragg Prong Creek. This area is in the head waters of Wilson Creek, however we enter the area off the Blue Ridige Parkway. After six or seven miles and a couple of crossings along Gragg Prong Creek we will stop to enjoy one of the best natural swimming holes in the mountains of North Carolina. We will enjoy at least one and a half hours at this wonderful summer spot. After another mile we will stop to enjoy yet another wonderful swimming hole. Please bring clothes for swimming! We will depart Shoneys at 7:00 AM and pick up the Winston Group at 7:30 AM at El Jinnete/Eastern Pearl. There will be dinner afterwards in Morganton at Yianni’s. Please call or e-mail if you are going on this hike. (8 miles, +/- 1800 feet, R26).
Sunday Greensboro Watershed Trails
Join Terry for a moderate hike and introductory YOGA for Hiking at the Laurel Bluff Trailhead. We will get together at 1:00 PM at the Laurel Bluff Trailhead on Lake Brandt Road on the right-hand side of Lake Brandt Road just before the dam. We should be off the trail by 3:00 PM. The hike will be followed by 30 minutes of yoga targeting those areas of most importance to hikers. Bring a BEACH TOWEL or a MAT since we will be on the ground for part of the session. Any questions may be addressed by phone or email. (R8, 7 miles).
Monday Friendly Shopping Center
Join us for a fast paced power walk on Monday night! Our objective is a good cardiovascular workout. We will walk 7 miles on the city greenway maintaining at least a 4.5 mph pace. If you are working up to this pace, we will catch you on the way back since it is an out and back. We meet in the parking lot behind Belk's at Friendly (corner of Friendly and Green Valley) at 6:00. Please call if you plan to attend as we sometimes vary our route. Hope to see you there!
Saturday Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
We’ll explore some of the lesser used trails in the Mount Rogers area. After starting from a campground we’ll hike down to Wilson Creek, then up and over the evocatively named ‘First Peak’, ‘Second Peak’, and finally, ‘Third Peak’. Then its down to Scales and the Wilson Creek Trail. We’ll end up going along an upper section of Wilson Creek that may be the prettiest trail in all of Mount Rogers - and that’s saying something. Blueberries should be at their peak, so bring containers to fill. (11 miles, +/- 2000 feet, R31).
Saturday Grandfather Mountain State Park
The first half of this hike will be a 3.5 mile, 2000 foot ascent of the northeastern end of the Grandfather Mountain ridge from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Calloway Peak by way of the Daniel Boone Scout Trail, which has two magnificent overlooks - one to the north and one to the south. Lunch will be eaten on 5964 foot Calloway Peak, with superb views in many directions. The return route will be partly the same but will also include overlooks along the Cragway Trail and the Nuwati Trail. Several ladders on the route must be negotiated, but they are not in locations which create a vertigo problem. Shade and the high altitude will reduce the impact of the August heat. The difficulty of the trail surface in sections makes comfortable hiking boots advisable. Bring water, lunch, and rain gear. Call or email for details. (7.5 miles, 2200 feet, R32).
Sunday Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 171.5
I have made reservations for the PHOC to attend “Music on the Winery” at Chateau Morissette Winery (540-593-2865). We will meet at Shoney’s (Hwy 68 & I-40) at noon on Sunday for a trip to Floyd, VA. We will have lunch and then tour the winery. It is exactly one hour drive on HWY 52 N to Hwy 221 N. The address is Chateau Morrisette, 287 Winery Road, SW & Black Ridge Road in Floyd, Virginia, 24091. Average price for meals is $20 to $30. Please call for further details and to let me know if you are coming. Come and join the fun on a Sunday afternoon, and listen to some great music!
Sunday Lake Norman State Park
Today we will travel south to Lake Norman State Park for a very leisurely hike of about 6 miles around the shoreline of the lake. This is a hike which new members might especially enjoy as we will be doing a little hiking and a lot of socializing and getting to know each other. We will hike a short way, stop for lunch, hike another short way and stop for a swim (shallow water), hike another short leg and finish the hike, hopefully where we started. You might also like to know that my chocolate lab, Woody, will be co-hosting so anyone who would like to bring a dog is welcome as long as the person accompanying the dog is good natured, not aggressive and gets along with others. Since this is a state park, the dog will have to be on a leash except when in the water. We will meet to carpool at 10:00 in the parking lot of Four Seasons Mall directly across from Bonefish Grill. If you would like to meet the group somewhere along the route, let me know and we’ll arrange a meeting place.
Monday Friendly Shopping Center
Join us for a fast paced power walk on Monday night! Our objective is a good cardiovascular workout. We will walk 7 miles on the city greenway maintaining at least a 4.5 mph pace. If you are working up to this pace, we will catch you on the way back since it is an out and back. Wein the parking lot behind Belk's at Friendly (corner of Friendly and Green Valley) at 6:00. Please call if you plan to attend as we sometimes vary our route. Hope to see you there!
Saturday Bahnson Field, Farmington, Davie Co
The Piedmont Soaring Society, Inc. will host an open house at 12:00 noon. Introductory Sailplane flights will be offered to participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants are encouraged to notify us by noon, Thursday, August 27 to reserve a spot. PSS exists to foster the sport of soaring, or, motorless flight. Our pilots have flown from Bahnson Field, in the Farmington community of Davie County, for hundreds of miles before returning. Participants will need to spend at least an hour at the field in preparation for their flight, and we will attempt to limit each flight to about 30 minutes, depending upon the weather conditions and number of participants. Cost will be $100 give or take, depending upon the particular aircraft used. Cameras are welcome, but their use will be at the sole discretion of the Pilot in Command. Safety First. Those on the ground will be limited to non-flight operating areas (no one wandering around the landing or take-off zones). All of the aircraft (tow-planes and sailplanes) and pilots are fully certified by the FAA. We have a good time, but take our flying very seriously. Here are some sailplane websites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlXDTFhCG9w&feature=related and www.piedmontsoaring.org
Directions: From W-S, take I-40 West. After crossing the Yadkin River, take Hwy 801 exit (Exit 180). Turn right onto Hwy 801. PSS is six miles on the right. Look for the white gates and signs. If you get to the blinking light at the intersection of Farmington Road and 801, you have gone too far. Turn around and the airport is one mile back on the left. If you need help, call the number provided in the PHOC newsletter.
PHOC advises: “Outing leader reiterates that people participate at their own risk.”
Saturday Pisgah National Forest
Today we’ll drive a long way and hike 17.5 miles. Starting from the Daniel Boone Scout Camp we’ll hike 5 miles, all uphill, to Cold Mountain, then across the Narrows over to the Shining Rock summit. From there, its all downhill back to the Scout Camp. Plan on an early start, 9 hours on the trail, and a late return. Call or email for details. (16.5 miles, +/- 4000 feet, R50).
Sunday Hanging Rock State Park
Let’s head to nearby Hanging Rock for a moderate hike (7.2 miles) for a refreshingly cool summer afternoon outing. We will start from the canoe launch area near the Dan River, hike up the lovely and shaded Indian Creek Trail, past Window Falls, and on to the Visitors Center. We will retrace our steps back to the car on the same trail. This hike involves a few easy stream crossings, but is very doable for anyone who walks or does aerobics exercise regularly a few times a week, or who has done even a moderate amount of trail hiking before. We will be back in Greensboro before 5:00 pm. We will meet at 11:00 AM at Shoney’s (Hwy 68 and I-40). Winston Salem folks: meet us at the trailhead at noon. For those meeting us at the trailhead parking lot, drive past the road that leads to the park entrance for about one half of a mile, turn left onto Flinchum Road (gravel/dirt road) and go all the way to the end (it curves right toward the end). Please call to let me know you're coming.
Sunday Greensboro Watershed Trails
Meet at Bur-Mil Park at 1:00 PM. Go North on Hwy 220 past Horse Pen Creek Road on the left, then turn right at the traffic light at Owls Roost Road, and left into Bur-Mil Park. Bear right at the club house, park in the circular driveway at the bottom of the hill. Call if you have any questions. (5 miles, R6).
Monday Friendly Shopping Center
Join us for a fast paced power walk on Monday night! Our objective is a good cardiovascular workout. We will walk 7 miles on the city greenway maintaining at least a 4.5 mph pace. If you are working up to this pace, we will catch you on the way back since it is an out and back. We meet in the parking lot behind Belk's at Friendly (corner of Friendly and Green Valley) at 6:00. Please call if you plan to attend as we sometimes vary our route. Hope to see you there!