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FCNC hike at Clear Creek Lake at South Mountains State Park

View hikes, paddles & outings for FCNC and affiliated organizations:



 Foothills Conservancy
RSVP required for all outings. Email us at info@foothillsconservancy.org or call 828-437-9930.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring water and snacks/lunch with you.

"Sip 'N' Socialize" - Feb 12, 5-7 pm at Carolina Mist Winery
Join Foothills Conservancy and friends for a taste of regional wines at Morganton's newest winery.

"Explore the Hidden Side" -  March 10, 10 am - 2 pm at Chimney Rock State Park
Limited Space - Reservation required - Fee $15
Location TBA - Check back here or call for details.
Explore park areas not yet open to the public as you join FCNC's Tom Kenney for a late winter hike at Chimney Rock State Park.

"Sneek-A-Peek" - Private Conservation Easement Tour & Hike - April 28, 10am -12 noon
Location TBA - Check back here or call for details.

"Wildcrafting Hike & Lunch with Ila Hatter" - Tom's Creek Falls, Marion, NC - June 2, 10 am to 2 pm
Limited Space - Reservations required - Fee $25
Put on your hiking boots and let's go "WILDCRAFTING"! Discover wonderful wild flavors that can't be bought with herbalist, folklorist & wildcrafter
Ila Hatter.
Lunch provided with a "taste from the wild".

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 CHIMNEY ROCK STATE PARK
828-625-9611
Toll-free 800-277-9611

Park Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays through March    
Dates: Jan 2nd - Jan 30th
The Park and Old Rock Cafe will be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December 2011 through March 2012. In addition, the Park will be closed
on Christmas day but will be open every day from December 26 to January 2, 2012, including Tuesday, Wednesday and New Year’s Day. Winter hours are
Thursday - Monday from 10am to 6pm with the Ticket Plaza closing at 4:30pm. Please see our website or call 828-625-9611to check our opening status in
the event of inclement weather.

The Park is undergoing major capital improvement projects this winter, resulting in discounted winter rates and trail closures.

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 SOUTH MOUNTAINS STATE PARK
Phone: (828) 433-4772
Call the park office for more information and to pre-register for the upcoming program

Saturday, February 4 “High Shoals Falls Extended Backcountry Hike”
Join a Park Ranger for a 5.5 mile hike along the PlaceNameplaceHigh PlaceNameShoals PlaceTypeFalls and Upper Falls Trails. Meet at the Jacob Fork
parking lot at 10:00 am.  This moderate to strenuous walk will last approximately 3.0 hours.  Please bring lunch, water, and appropriate clothing and footwear.  
Contact the park office for more information and to pre-register for this hike.

“Where Am I?  How to Use a Map and Compass”
Join a Park Ranger to learn the fundamentals of map reading, identification of land features, and compass use.  Bring a compass if you have it, and meet at
the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 2:00 pm.

Sunday, February 5 “Bats”
Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair?  Do they turn into vampires?  Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 am to learn some Bat facts and have
an opportunity to view some Bats.

Saturday, February 11 “Wintergreen Hike”
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Hemlock Nature Trail, and learn about some of the many plant species that stay green all year long. Meet at the Jacob Fork
Parking Area at 11:00 am for this easy one mile walk.

“Bats”
Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair?  Do they turn into vampires?  Join a Park Ranger at the placePlaceNameVisitor PlaceTypeCenter at 2:00 am to
learn some Bat facts and have an opportunity to view some Bats.

Sunday, February 12 “Where Am I?  How to Use a Map and Compass”
Join a Park Ranger to learn the fundamentals of map reading, identification of land features, and compass use.  Bring a compass if you have it, and meet at
the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 2:00 pm.

Saturday, February 18 “Wintergreen Hike”
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Hemlock Nature Trail, and learn about some of the many plant species that stay green all year long.  Meet at the Jacob Fork
Parking Area at 11:00 am for this easy one mile walk.

“Bats”
Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair?  Do they turn into vampires?  Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 am to learn some Bat facts and have
an opportunity to view some Bats.
Sunday, February 19 “Bats”
Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair?  Do they turn into vampires?  Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 am to learn some Bat facts and have
an opportunity to view some Bats.

Saturday, February 25 “Wintergreen Hike”
Enjoy a leisurely walk along the Hemlock Nature Trail, and learn about some of the many plant species that stay green all year long.  Meet at the Jacob Fork
Parking Area at 11:00 am for this easy one mile walk.

“Bark, Buds & Twigs”
Winter tree and plant identification hike.  Learn about the plants around you and how they survive the winter. Meet at the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 2:00 pm.

Sunday, February 26 “Bats”
Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair?  Do they turn into vampires?  Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 am to learn some Bat facts and have
an opportunity to view some Bats.

South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18.  We welcome the community to join us for our monthly
educational interpretive programs.  Call the park office at (828) 433-4772 for more information.

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 LAKE JAMES STATE PARK
Phone: (828) 652-5047
All programs will meet at the park office.  Please plan on arriving a few minutes early.

Hike the Sandy Cliff Overlook Trail - Saturday February 4, 2012
Park Ranger Earl Weaver will lead a hike to the Sandy Cliff Overlook, which offers beautiful views of Shortoff Mtn. and Table Rock. This will be an easy .5 mile
hike roundtrip. Meet at the Catawba River Area office at 10 A.M.

Hike the Lake Channel Overlook Trail - Sunday February 5, 2012
Take a hike with Park Ranger Earl Weaver to one of the park's most spectacular vistas to learn about the lake's history and geological features of the area.  
This will be a moderate hike of 1.5 miles.  Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.  Meet at the Catawba River Area office at 2 P.M.

Overmountain Victory Trail Nature Hike - Saturday February 11, 2012
Hike the park's newest section of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail with Park Ranger Clay Veasey and learn about the plants and animals that
call this area home. This is an easy hike of about 1.5 miles. Meet at the Paddy's Creek Area bridge parking lot at 10 A.M.

Dangerous Plants and Animals - Sunday February 12, 2012
Join Park Ranger Clay Veasey for a discussion about dangerous plants and animals that can be found in the park.   Proper identification will be covered as well
as what to do if you encounter one of these organisms.  Meet at the Catawba River Area office at 10 A.M.

GLOBE at Night * Star Party* - Friday February 17, 2012
As a citizen-scientist, you can participate in the world-wide study of light pollution called GLOBE at Night.  Get involved and help learn how to maintain the Earth's
dark night skies as a natural resource for everyone! If you would like to participate in this year's GLOBE at Night study join us at the Catawba River Area office at
6 PM to learn how you can help.  The program will consist of a short discussion on light pollution, a constellation tour and telescope viewing. There will be
telescopes and binoculars set up for viewing the night sky, but feel free to bring your own if you have them.   Register by calling the park office at 828-584-7728.  

Hike the Paddy's Creek Trail - Saturday February 25, 2012
Join Park Ranger Earl Weaver for a nature hike on the Paddy's Creek Trail.  This will be an moderate hike of about 2 miles round-trip.  Please wear appropriate
clothing and footwear. Meet at the Paddy's Creek Area office at 10 A.M.

Birds of Paddy's Creek - Sunday February 26, 2012
Join Park Ranger Earl Weaver on a hike to identify birds that can be found around Paddy's Creek and placePlaceTypeLake PlaceNameJames.  This will be an
easy hike of about 1 mile.  Bring binoculars if you have them. Meet at the Paddy's Creek Area bridge parking lot at 10 A.M.

If you would like to receive our event list each month via email, contact Nora Coffey at nora.coffey@ncdenr.gov
 or call the park office at (828) 584-7728 ext. 202.

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 RUTHERFORD OUTDOOR COALITION
Membership and other information can be found there, but it is not necessary to join in order to attend outings or events.

Every Monday: Cycling Group Ride
Meet at Ingles in Lake Lure.

Every Thursday: Cycling Group Ride  
Meet at Barley's in Spindale.