Help Hike 1,175 Miles in One Day on The Mountains-to-Sea Trail

On September 9, 2017 The Friends of The Mountains-to-Sea Trail need YOU to collaborate with hundreds of others across North Carolina to hike and paddle the entire 1,175 miles of the MST in one day.  Registration is now open for all legs - follow the instructions on mstinaday.org to sign up.

 

MST in a Day commemorates a speech on September 9, 1977 by Howard Lee, then the NC Secretary of Natural Resources and Community Development. He told a National Trails Symposium in Waynesville that North Carolina should create a "state trail from the mountains to the coast, leading through communities as well as natural areas."

That speech was the catalyst for the trail that now stretches through 36 counties from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks, and we're celebrating its 40th anniversary all across the state in 2017.

MST in a Day commemorates a speech on September 9, 1977 by Howard Lee, then the NC Secretary of Natural Resources and Community Development. He told a National Trails Symposium in Waynesville that North Carolina should create a "state trail from the mountains to the coast, leading through communities as well as natural areas."

The Friends are asking people to sign up to complete a "leg" of the trail any time on September 9. Most legs are three to five miles, although some are longer in remote parts of the trail. You can hike your leg alone or with friends or family. While you're at it, send several photos of your hike or paddle so we can compile photos taken by everyone who participates into a video of 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 Outer Banks with almost 1200 miles of footpaths and temporary connectors. Currently nearly 700 miles of footpaths are complete with work crews, mostly volunteers, continuing construction. The connectors make it possible to hike the entire nearly 1200 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. 

Take a Hike: Wild Mushroom Walks at Chimney Rock State Park

August 28, 2015    Wild Mushroom Walks at Chimney Rock Park    11 AM. Be amazed at the variety of fascinating fungi growing along the Park’s trails. Whet your appetite on this guided hike as you identify and learn about a dozen or so of the most common mushrooms among more than 1,000 species that could be growing in Western NC. 

Led by Karen Johnson, member of State Parks and the Asheville Mushroom Club. Limit first 15 people; meet at Grady’s Animal Discovery Den.  Included in Park Admission

Chimney Rock State Park Weekend Events

October 12   Old Growth Forest “Off the Beaten Path” Guided Hike at Chimney Rock State Park   Learn what is special about a forest with canopy members over a century old, some even 200 to 300 years old. See the largest known Chestnut Oak in the Park among other prime specimens of their kinds on this moderate 1-hour hike. No additional cost with paid admission! Meet at Grady's Animal Discovery Den in the Meadows.

October 12   Park in the Dark at Chimney Rock State Park   Learn about the sights and sounds of owls and more of Grady’s quirky nocturnal wildlife friends living in Chimney Rock. Arrive by five to hike the Park’s scenic trails on your own and grab a bite at the Sky Lounge Deli, then gather by 7 PM in the Meadows for the fun, family-oriented birds of prey program. Afterward, enjoy an adventurous, kid-friendly one-hour night hike led by Ron Lance, an internationally renowned naturalist and nature lover. Registration and additional fee.

October 12 - 13   Grady's Wildlife of WNC at Chimney Rock State Park   Come meet some of Grady the Groundhog's live woodland friends and learn about their natural habitats. Or marvel at our Birds of Prey, including a Red-tailed Hawk and Great Horned Owl. The family-friendly Grady’s Wildlife of WNC programs vary and are offered at 2 PM at the Outdoor Classroom on the Meadows. Best of all, the programs are included with your Park admission. All you need to bring are your kids and their curiosity about the natural world.

Get links for these and other Chimney Rock State Park Events on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park Hiking Series

March 19    Friends of the Smokies Classic Hikes of the Smokies   This hiking series is led by Danny Bernsteinwill  and held on the THIRD TUESDAY of every month beginning in March. In honor of Friends of the Smokies' 20th Anniversary, each hike will highlight a project made possible through funding from Friends.

On the first hike of the season participants will hike to three cemeteries, three waterfalls over approximately 9 miles. There may be some early spring wildlife from frogs to flowers. To register contact Friends’ Waynesville, NC office at (828) 452-0720 or email outreach.nc@friendsofthesmokies.org.

NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail New Book Published

Danny Bernstein, hiking guide author and 2011 MST completer, has just published The Mountains-to-Sea Trail Across North Carolina, a valuable and entertaining new book about the MST. The book, published by History Press, introduces the reader to the spectacular, historic and quirky elements of the North Carolina landscape that hikers see on the trail. 

Read History Press's blog for a great overview of the book, and check out Danny's schedule of book events throughout North Carolina - there is probably one near you (and if there isn't she'd welcome the chance if you want to line one up for her).

If you're in the Asheville or Raleigh area, come out for one of the two "book launches" to hear Danny read from the book, answer questions about the trail and meet Kate Dixon, Executive Director of FMST: 

• Tuesday, March 5th, 6 pm - Diamond Brand Outdoors, 2623 Hendersonville Road, Arden (Diamond Brand will provide anyone in attendance who becomes a member of FMST with a $20 gift card. Refreshments will be provided and attendees can participate in a raffle also benefiting FMST. The event is free and open to the public.)
• Friday, April 5th, 7 pm - Quail Ridge Books, 3522 Wade Avenue, Raleigh (co-sponsored with Great Outdoor Provision Co. and Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail)

Chimney Rock Park Fall WIldflower Hike

October 6   Off the Beaten Path Guided Hikes: Fall Wildflower    The Changing of  leaves is not the only source of Fall color in the mountains. In Chimney Rock Park there are magnificent fall flowers along the trails. 

With guide Ron Lance, an internationally renowned and published naturalist, you can discover yet another beauty of the mountains.  Many folks think spring is the peak wildflower season, but at Chimney Rock  flowers are in bloom much of the year. Expect to see such beauties as asters, Pink Turtlehead, boneset and more. Off the Beaten Path Guided Hikes: Fall Wildflower

Learn more about Chimney Rock Park on the Chimney Rock NC Visitor Guide.

Take a Hike - in 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. 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.

Chimney Rock Park is a favorite hiking destination for locals and visitors alike. Get more information about Chimney Rock Park trails on the
NC Mountain Trail Guide.

Gandfather's Attic Guided Hike

July 28-29   “Grandfather’s Attic” Hike    Beginning at 9 AM this challenging endeavor involves a hike to Attic Window Peak and Indian House Cave over the most rugged terrain on Grandfather Mountain. During this hike, interpretive rangers will share the story of Grandfather and past historic events that shaped the Mountain into what it is today.

This trek gains 600 feet in elevation during the 1.2-mile hike. It is a half-day trip and costs hikers $25 in addition to park admission.

Get a link for the Grandfather's Attic Hike and other NC park hikes and events on the NC Park Visitor Guide