Sharon McCarthy, Smoky Scout, a CMC member and my Mountains-to-Sea Trail hiking partner, always says to mountain hikers You have to get out of the mountains, people.
And here’s the best way of getting out and seeing what’s happening on the MST east of Black Mountain Campground.
Plan to attend the 2015 Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail annual meeting on Saturday, February 7, 2015 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Elon University near Burlington.
You’ll meet several important and interesting people in the Mountains-to-Sea Trail world. Here’s a run-down:
Tom Earnhardt, writer and host of UNC-TV’s Exploring NC, will the keynote speaker. Earnhardt just produced Highway to the Future, a gorgeous, informative program about the MST and where it is headed. Hearing him is worth the trip alone!
State Parks Director Mike Murphy will give an update on the MST master plan, 2016 State Parks Centennial and other issues. 2016 will be a busy year with the State parks and National Park centennials and – oh yes – the presidential election.
Howard Lee, who first publicly proposed the MST in 1977 and now on the board of Friends of the MST, will be there.
Of course, you’ll meet hikers, MST maintainers and dreamers.
Kate Dixon, Executive Director of Friends of the MST, has a special shout-out to CMC.
“It’s a chance for devoted CMC maintainers to meet their counterparts from all over the state and to learn how what they have been building and maintaining is becoming part of a grand network all over North Carolina.”
Where’s Elon University? It’s between Winston-Salem and Durham, less than three hours from Pack Square in Asheville, just off I-40 E/I-85 N, exit 140. You can get in your car at 6:30 am and be here in plenty of time for your second cup of coffee.
If you’re interested in arriving on Friday, Friends of the MST has planned an afternoon guided hike on the MST, a casual networking dinner and discounts at a host hotel for staying overnight prior to the Annual Meeting. Surely you’re curious what the trail looks like once it leaves the mountains.
There’s lots more to the meeting. And all for $25 for members.
Check out this link for more details and how to register:
So get together with hiking buddies. Organize a car pool with your trail crew and come east. It will be fun – and in February – a lot warmer than the mountains.