Resource person: Carrie Council

Location: Piedmont Environmental Center - Outdoors | 1220 Penny Road, High Point, NC, 27265

Description:

Spend the weekend hiking, floating the river, camping, botanizing and wildlife viewing in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. We will explore Bluff Mountain Preserve, home to a rare mountain bog habitat, and hike three miles in search of Ruffed Grouse, rare Bog Turtles and native wildflowers. The high-elevation hardwood forests of Bluff Mountain also provide ideal nesting habitat for many neotropical migratory bird species such as Black-throated Green Warbler, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Scarlet Tanager and Blue-headed Vireo. After the mid-day hike, we will head to the campground to setup camp, relax or swim in the river and prepare the evening's meal.

On Saturday, we will spend the day at the headwaters of the New River. The morning will be spent birding and botanizing on a four-mile hike that leads to spectacular views and expansive vistas featuring multiple mountain peaks. Following lunch we will float down the calm and shallow South Fork of the New River in river tubes while Green Herons and Red-winged Blackbirds look on. Before heading down the mountain on Sunday, we will hike at Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and experience multiple plant communities.

We will tent camp for two nights at New River State Park with modern bathhouse facilities and have access to the river for swimming. Participants need to bring their own camping equipment and be able to hike four miles of moderate trails round-trip. Registration fees include transportation, camping and entrance fees, naturalist guides, tube rentals and shuttles and all meals except Friday’s lunch.

Available: 2

Price: $225.00 - $250.00 Taxes waived

Required age: 18+ on the day of the activity

Notes: The group will depart from PEC at 8 a.m. on Friday; bring a bagged lunch to enjoy mid-hike at Bluff Mountain. We will return to PEC by 5 p.m. on Sunday. Transportation is provided. If you wish to drive separately please let PEC know. We are camping at New River State Park Wagoner Access. The group campsite is a short walk from the parking lot. Please pack your items in a duffel bag or large backpack so they can be carried. There are flush toilets, showers and drinking water but no electricity. Please let us know of any dietary restrictions you may have.

Tags: Adult (ages 18+) Friends of PEC Outdoor Adventure / Nature Education

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