trailmarker - Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club

TRAILMARKER
The Piedmont Hiking and Outing Club Newsletter
November December 2012
Since 1982
Volume 30 Number 6
PHOC in Rocky Mountain National Park
Visit us on the Web http://www.piedmonthikingandoutingclub.org
Page 4 of 12
About our Hike Rating System
Our rating system provides a useful, general gauge of a
hike’s difficulty. It factors in distance and elevation gain
and is intended to help you choose hikes that you will
find most enjoyable.
R0-R10 These are more walks than hikes. They’re
usually close to home, the trails are flat, and distances
are generally short. An after-dinner walk around the
block would be rated R1 or R2. Our Wednesday Night
Walks are R5.
R10-R20 Most of these hikes will be in the lower
mountains and foothills. Distances will be about 5-8
miles, with vertical ranging from 500-1000 feet...not
easy if you’re new to hiking! Trails will be dirt and
rock. As long as you’re in moderately good shape, you
should be able to enjoy the outing.
R20-R30 Hikes in the low end of this range will be
too hard and overly stressful for many new members.
Plan on an all-day trip, with at least 4 hours of continuous hiking in rugged and steep terrain. At a minimum,
be sure to pack two quarts of water, lunch, a snack, and
rain gear.
R30-R40 These are strenuous hikes. They will usually be 10+ miles, with climbs of 2000+ feet. They’re
appropriate only for those who have done a number of
lower rated hikes.
R40+ These hikes are usually 12 or more miles with
3000 feet or more of elevation gain. They’re appropriate
only for fit, experienced hikers. Check with hike leader
about the trip if you are wanting to do this trip for the
first time.
Outings
Every Wednesday Night Walk and Dinner at the
Piedmont Environmental Center.
The Wednesday night Walkers will meet every Wednesday evening at the Friendly Shopping Center at 6:30 pm
for a brisk walk before dinner. The group will go to dinner after the walk unless the walk is cancelled due to bad
weather, in which case the group will not go to dinner.
Outings
Page 5 of 12
The Wednesday Night Walkers will meet
every Wednesday evening in the Friendly
Shopping Center parking lot near Tex and
Shirley’s at 6:30 PM for a brisk walk before
dinner. If bad weather cancels the walk,
we will not go to dinner. Note: We will not
walk on November 28 or December 26.
Fri, Nov 2
NC Dance Festival
Aycock Auditorium, UNCG
Join us for dinner and the 22nd year of the
North Carolina Dance Festival featuring modern dance performances by professional North
Carolina dance companies. As in the passed
two years we’ll meet on the steps of Aycock
Auditorium and choose one of the many eateries right there on Tate Street for dinner and
then enjoy the performance. Check out www.
ncdancefestival.org for information about the
festival and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
=bLIOL5XVLps&feature=youtu.be
Let me know by October 24th if you’re coming
so I can purchase the tickets in advance. There
is a group rate for 10 or more. Meet for dinner
at 6:15. Performance begins at 8:00.
$18 adults
$14 seniors and students
$8 group
Sat, Nov 3
Doughton Park-Primitive
and Flat Rockk
Let’s head for Doughton Park, exercise our
lungs and legs up the Bluff Ridge trail (aka
Primitive), meander along the Bluff Mountain
trail, and leisurely wend our way back down
to base along my favorite trail, Flat Rock.
We can still enjoy the beautiful foliage of the
abundant rhododendrons and mountain laurels
while, at this time of year, some already barren
trees will afford us the many great views offered along the three trails. In PHOC parlance
this hike is considered a “sturdy” hike and
thus for experienced hikers only. For those
who want to eat a bite before heading back
to Greensboro, Elkin offers several exciting
opportunities. Please call Nicole for meeting
place and time. [13 miles; +/-3300 feet; R-46]
Sat, Nov 3
Heartbreak Ridge to
Pinnacle
Old Fort, NC
This hike starts near Old Fort, parallels a creek
for a warm up stretch, and then starts climbing
up Heartbreak Ridge. The climb is not steep
but it is unrelenting. To compensate, there are
lots of good views to be had along the way. It
then goes up steeply for a relatively short distance to the top of Blue Ridge Pinnacle, with
360 degree views of Mt. Mitchell, Graybeard,
Table Rock, etc. After lunch on Pinnacle, we’ll
head back down. Those interested will stop at
Yianniís for dinner on the way back. Call or
email for meeting times and places. [14 miles;
+/- 4000; R54]
Outings
Page 6 of 12
Sun, Nov 4
Greenway Bike Ride
Greensboro
Meet at the Bur-Mil Wildlife Educ. Center at
1:00 p.m. This 18.5 or 21.5 mile out-and-back
will be a wonderful way to spend a Sunday
afternoon. When departing from the Wildlife
center we will head north beyond Strawberry
Rd , turn around, take the Greenway to Country/Battleground Park looping each once, after
getting back on the Greenway we will head
to Target Parking lot on Lawndale, this is our
turnaround point. Bring plenty of water and
snacks. Please call/email to let me know that
you are coming.
Wed, Nov 7
Dinner
Sat, Nov 10
W. Kerr Scott Dam and
Reservoir
Warrior Creek Trail, Wilkesboro, NC
Let’s hike the Warrior Creek trail. This is a
beautiful single track trail up and down ravines
in a mixed mature hardwood forest that meanders around inlets next to the Kerr Scott Reservoir. This trail only an hour and a 1/2 from
Greensboro probably has the best trail surface
of any we hike, with no long continuous steep
uphill grades since it was designed for Mountain bikers. Please call or email if you are
planning to come. [13 miles +/- 1750 ft. R30]
Wednesday Night Walk and
See page 4 for details.
Sat, Nov 10
Stone Mtn State Park
Fri, Nov 9
Imperial Koi
7:00pm 1941 New Garden Road, Greensboro
Lets rendezvous to the best Japanese restaurant
in the Triad area. The outing will be limited to
30 people. Last time we had a full group and
everyone truly enjoyed the quiet atmosphere,
low density seating and excellent food. This
is a busy place, and the management requests
a two-week notice for large parties. Please
RSVP by October 26th and I‘ll broadcast a
reminder message just before that date.
MST -- Stone Mtn State Park to Devils Garden
Overlook and back. Scenic and brisk paced
hike on the MST at Stone Mountain SP to Devils Garden Overlook where we will have lunch.
We will return on the same route. Contact me
for meeting details. [12 miles, R40]
Outings
Sun, Nov 11
Page 7 of 12
Lake Townsend Loop
Greensboro
Watershed Trails
Join us for a hike around part of Lake
Townsend, using three of Greensboroís watershed trails - Osprey, Blue Heron, and Peninsula. Let’s meet at 1:00 PM at the Osprey Trail
parking area on Yanceyville Road. The parking
area is on the left traveling North, just before
4910 Yanceyville Rd. (Note: the parking area is
about 0.25 miles South of the Townsend Trail
trailhead). Bring water and snack [7.5 miles, R
9]. Call or E-Mail us if you have questions.
Sun, Nov 11
Trail Maintenance
1:00 & 5:00 pm
Hanging Rock &
Pilot Mountain State Parks
questions. Please let them know your choice
of parks so that they may coordinate with the
Rangers for tools and materials.
Mon, Nov 12
Monthly Meeting
7:30pm
Piedmont Environmental Center
Ben Harris will entertain us this month with
photos and a discussion of a trip that several
PHOC members made back in August to
Rocky Mountain National Park. RMNP is
located just north of Denver, Colorado and
features a destination hike there: the ascent of
Long’s Peak, a 14’er and highest point in the
park. Meet for refreshments and fellowship at
7:00 with the business portion of the meeting
beginning at 7:30 in the Piedmont Environmental Center on Penny Road in Jamestown.
Wed, Nov 14
Dinner
Late Fall and time for our semi-annual trail
work in the parks. Join Matt at Pilot Mountain
or Jay at Hanging Rock for work on the trails
there we love to hike. We will be working
on trail that is part of the Mountains-To-Sea
Trail in each park. Specific trail work will be
determined closer to the work date so email
Matt or Jay for specifics. The club will reward
our efforts again with some delicious food at
Ben’s house afterward as Ben plans to cook
an old fashioned Brunswick Stew outside
over his new fire pit. Bring snacks, water, and
heavy work gloves. Contact Matt or Jay with
Wednesday Night Walk and
See page 4 for details.
Thu, Nov 15
PHOC Round table
Discussion and Dinner Outing
6:30pm Shoneyís Restaurant
NC Hwy 68 and I 40
Meet at Shoneys off NC Hwy 68 and I-40 for
fun, food, and good times to give a little back
to one of the clubís silent members. Meet in the
parking lot at 6:30. For additional information
please contact Ken Cook.
Outings
Page 8 of 12
Sat, Nov 17
Doughton Park Loop
Please join Jean Hylton and David Lowe for
this great hike just an hour and a half from
Shoneys. We will go up Flat Rock, across the
top along Bluff Mountain, and back down Cedar Ridge Ridge. Email Jean for meeting place
and time. [17 mi/3200/R49]
Sun, Nov 18
1:00pm
Sat, Nov 24
Stone Mountain Trails
Stone Mountain State Park
Today we will hike the Stone Mountain, Wolf
Rock and Cedar rock trails in Stone Mountain
State Park. These trails offer spectacular views
of the park and the surrounding mountains.
The hike will begin at the upper parking lot and
trail head. Meet at Shoney’s in Greensboro and
be ready to leave at 8:00 a.m. or meet us at the
Jonestown Road exit off US 421 in WinstonSalem behind McDonald’s at 8:30. [7 miles,
+/-1600 feet, R23]
Salem Lake Bike Ride
Winston-Salem
Sat, Nov 24
Appalachian Trail at
Whitetop Mountain
Mount Rogers Recreation Area, Virginia
Join me for an afternoon of biking at Salem
Lake. We will circle the lake, then cruise the
Salem Creek Greenway to the town of Old Salem. Shops may be open to purchase a snack.
Meet at Salem Lake parking lot at 1:00pm.
[Approx. 18 miles]
Wed, Nov 21
Dinner
Wednesday Night Walk and
See page 4 for details.
This will be a shuttle hike over the shoulder
of Whitetop Mountain from Creek Junction
on the Appalachian Trail to Elk Garden. One
interesting feature of this hiking route is the
change in vegetation from trees typical of the
southern Appalachians to ones common in the
central Appalachians. Views from the side of
Whitetop toward the mountains of northwestern North Carolina can be outstanding. The
popular dinner stop in Sparta following hikes
in the Mount Rogers area is Mis Arados. Bring
water and lunch and wear layered clothing. If
interested in this outing, contact David, preferably by noon on Friday before the hike. [10
miles, 2800 feet, R38]
Outings
Sun, Nov 25
Page 9 of 12
Watershed Walk
Bur-Mil Park
We’ll meet in front of the Wildlife Center in
Bur-Mil at 9:30 am to walk down the greenway
to the Palmetto Trail, connect to Nat Greene
and return via the greenway. Please let me
know if you’ll be joining me. [5 miles, R6]
Saturday
New Member Orientation Hike
December 1
Pilot Mountain State Park
Sat, Dec 1
Meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Burmil Park Wildlife
Center (5834 Burmil Club Road) for a scenic
11.5-mile walk around Lake Brandt, using the
Piedmont, Nat Greene, and Owl’s Roost Trails.
This is a club favorite. Bathroom/water/snack
break at marina at about the 4.5 mile mark.
Lakeside and through the woods. We will be
finished about 12:45. [R-18]
Sat, Dec 1
Prospective, recent or veteran members are
invited to meet at 10:00 in the Parking lot high
atop Pilot Mountain state Park. We will have
a short presentation on hiking essentials and
opportunity for questions to be answered about
the club. Afterward, there will be a short hike
on the Ledge Spring Trail, Jomeokee Trail, and
the Sassafras Trail. The hike will be a moderate
and leisurely pace and be approximately 3.5
miles long. Please where appropriate clothing
and hiking shoes, bring rain gear, plenty of
water and a snack. Please e-mail me if you plan
to attend.
Lake Brandt Loop
Greensboro
Hanging Rock State Park
Please join us for a hike from the lowest point
in Hanging Rock State Park to the highest and
back down. We will hike from the Dan River
to the Moore’s Knob Tower. This is an 11.5
mile round trip with an estimated 1859 foot
elevation gain and loss. There will be restroom
and water bottle breaks going up and down at
the visitor center. Bring a lunch to enjoy on the
mountain top. Be prepared for multiple stream
crossings on the Indian Creek Trail. Between
rest stops, lunch, sightseeing, and photograph
breaks, expect to hike at least 6 hours. Beside
the Indian Creek Trail, weíll also hike the
Moore’s Wall Loop Trail, which is considered
strenuous. The Indian Creek Trail is considered moderate. We will have the option of tacking on an additional 2.6 miles by hiking Hanging Rock Trail on the way back down. We’ll
decide based on how we feel after the initial
hike to the highest point in the park. Please call
or email for meeting location and times. [11.5
miles: +/- 1859: R30]
Outings
Page 10 of 16
Sun, Dec 2
Bur Mil Park
Owls Roost
Let’s meet at 1:30 PM at the Wildlife Center in Bur Mil Park and hike the Owls Roost
watershed trail to the Greenway, and then back
again, using the Fire Lane trail for part of the
return trip. Proceed North on 220, part Horse
Pen Creek Rd on the let, then right at the traffic
light at Owls Roost, and then left into Bur Mil
park. Bear right at the club house, park in the
circular driveway at the bottom of the hill. no
need to call, but please do if you have questions [7 mi, R-9].
Wed, Dec 5
Dinner
Wednesday Night Walk and
See page 4 for details.
Sat, Dec 8
Doughton Park
Flat Rock and Grassy Gap
call Nicole for meeting time and place. [13
miles. +/-2300 feet. R-36]
December 8-9, 2012
Saturday & Sunday
Nothing beats the twinkle of a gazillion stars
on a crisp winter night. Let’s kick-off the
winter backpacking season (or end the fall
season, depending on your perspective) with
a romp around the 400+ miles of trails in the
Mount Rogers High Country. We’ll likely hike
directly to the shelter/camp site, drop packs,
and then explore our surroundings. Route dependant on conditions, but probably around 11
miles per day. Expect cold and hope for snow:
robust winter backpacking skills and gear will
be needed! Email for further details if you’d
like to come along. [18-22 miles, +/- 2000í,
R-Cold]
Sun, Dec 9
Doughton Park is one of those places that can
be savored in all seasons of the year. So with
winter upon us, let us once again explore this
little gem of a park and tackle a few of those
streams before they start icing up on us. And,
who knows, with some luck we may be following the tracks of one of those famous Doughton
Park bears heading out for winter quarters (just
kidding). We will hike up the Flat Rock Trail
and down Grassy Gap (otherwise known as the
Horse Trail). This hike is a loop of 13 miles
with approximately 2300+ feet of cumulative
elevation gain. On the way back, we will have
a choice of several eateries in Elkin. Please
Backpacking Trip
Mt. Rogers
Birkhead Loop
Uwharrie National Forest
Join me for an easy 9 mile loop hike in the
Birkhead Wilderness southwest of Asheboro.
We’ll see old home sites, Bingham Graveyard,
old pit mines, several creeks but creek crossings should not be an issue. We’ll start at the
Robin’s Branch Trailhead about 10am. Bring
lunch and the essentials. Carpool at the old
Nascar CafÈ building at Four Seasons Town
Center 8:45am. Please contact Jim if you are
participating for any last minute changes. [9
miles R-20.]
Outings
Wed, Dec 12
Dinner
Page 11 of 16
Wednesday Night Walk and
See page 4 for details.
Sat, Dec 15
Annual Holiday Party
6:00pm RH Barringer Distributing Co.
Entertainment & Social Committee
1620 Fairfax Road, Greensboro NC 27407
RSVP & Music Selections via Email:
Social@PiedmontHikingandOutingclub.org
Thu, Dec 13
PHOC Round table
Discussion and Dinner Outing
6:30pm Shoney’s Restaurant
NC Hwy 68 and I 40
Meet at Shoney’s off NC Hwy 68 and I-40 for
fun, food, and good times to give a little back
to one of the club’s silent members. Meet in the
parking lot at 6:30. For additional information
please contact Ken Cook.
Come on out and join the fun at RH Barringer Distributing Company at 1620 Fairfax Road in Greensboro. Thank you to Fred Craig for access to this
location. The party starts at 6:00pm. The catered
dinner will be at 6:30pm. A complete dinner, soft
drinks and hot coffee/tea after dinner will be provided. Bring your own adult beverage and a dessert
to share if you like.
This year we are stepping up the fun with a DJ! Yes
PHOC members, a DJ will be spinning tunes for
our listening pleasure before and during dinner and
for our dancing pleasure after dinner. Our goal is
music that everyone feels compelled to get up and
shake a leg. To that end we ask members to suggest
their favorite tunes from any era or music genre to
guide our DJ’s selections. We can’t promise to get
to everyone’s request, but our DJ will do his best to
accommodate as many people as possible.
Non-refundable cost of $5 per PHOC member and
$15 per non PHOC member. Guests and PHOC
members both pay the holiday party fee. This event
will be limited to the first 125 members and guests
who submit their payment. After we reach 125
people there will be a waiting list and any cancellations will go to the wait list people, in date order.
Send your payment (check or money order)
of $5 per member and $15 non member to:
Piedmont Hiking & Outing Club
P.O. Box 10613
Greensboro, NC 27404-0613
Outings
Page 12 of 16
Sun, Dec 16
Lake Townsend Trail
Greensboro Watershed Trails
Lets meet at 1:30 PM for an easy, scenic hike
along the wooded southern edge of Lake
Townsend. From Battleground Ave or Lawndale, proceed east on Pisgah Church, continue
east on Lees Chapel, bear left at Brightwood
School, turn left at the T at Rudd Station Road,
cross over the RR tracks and keep straight on
South Shore Road for about 1/3 of a mile. Park
in the gravel parking lot on your left. Allow
about twenty minutes drive time from Battleground. No need to call. [8 mi, R-8]
Wed, Dec 19
Dinner
Wednesday Night Walk and
See page 4 for details.
Sat, Dec 22
W. Kerr Scott Dam and Reservoir
Over Mountain Victory Trail,
Wilkesboro, NC
Need to get away from the Christmas madness
and stretch your legs in the crisp mountain
air then join me in hiking the Overmountain
Victory Trail at Kerr Scott Dam. This hike is
similar to the Warrior Creek hike (see Nov.
10th hike) shorter but just as enjoyable. Great
hike for moderate hikers as an additional 2.5
mile loop can be added. We will need at least
two vehicles as this is a one way shuttle hike to
the visitors center. Please call or email me if
you are planning to come. [6 or 8.5 mile (when
Shiners loop is added) +/- 1000 ft R16 to 20]
Sat, Dec 22
Bluff Ridge
Flat Rock Ridge Trails
Doughton Park
This hike includes the demands of the steep
Bluff Ridge primitive trail but also the viewing rewards of the southern section of the Bluff
Mountain trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway
and of the Flat Rock Ridge trail. Participants
in this outing will enjoy recent improvements
in the southern portion of the Bluff Mountain
trail. A dinner stop at Mis Arados or Amalfiís
in Elkin can be a reward for the day’s physical exertion. Bring water and lunch and wear
layered clothing. If interested in this outing,
please contact David, preferably by noon on
Friday before the hike. [13 miles, 3300 feet,
R46]
Outings
Sun, Dec 23
1:00pm
Page 13 of 16
Laurel Bluff/Reedy Fork
Greensboro Watershed
Let’s meet at 1:00pm and hike the Laurel Bluff
and Reedy Fork watershed trails. Proceed
north on Lake Brandt Road, past the Marina on
the left, cross over the bridge at the dam, and
park in the gravel parking lot on the right. [7
miles, R-8]
Sat, Dec 29
McAfee Knob &
Tinkers Cliff
Today we will visit the beautiful Catawba/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 to start another
climb up to the top of McAfee KnobÖ. another
gorgeous view. Then we will all end the day
with our favorite partÖÖ..DINNER! Please
bring PLENTY OF WATER!!! Call/Email Jill
for meeting time and place. [13 miles, 3600 ft,
R-49]
Sun, Dec 30
1:00pm
Lake Shore Trails
PEC
Join me at 1:00pm in the PEC parking lot for a
Sunday afternoon along the lake shore trails at
the Piedmont Environmental Center on Penny
Road. [Apprx. 7.5 miles]
Tue, Jan 1, 2013
To be determined.
New Year’s Day Hike