Year of the Trail: NC Trails Day Weekend in West Jefferson

01 S. Jefferson Ave.,West Jefferson NC 28694

13 March, 2023

Description

Here’s our agenda for the Year of the Trail NC Trail Days Weekend in West Jefferson Aug. 4-6. Friday August 43 p.m. -- Paddy Mountain/Northern Peaks Trail ribbon cutting for North Carolina's 40-mile Northern Peaks Trail eventually linking West Jefferson, Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Elk Knob State Park and Boone. 4-8 p.m. -- Registration and information table at the Farmer’s Market of downtown West Jefferson. 4-8 p.m. – Live music downtown West Jefferson. 5 p.m. – Guided hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Jumping Off Rocks, Glendale Springs. 1 mile. Led by Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Beginner level. Saturday August 58-5 p.m. -- Registration and information table at Farmer’s Market. 8-4 p.m. – Vendors featuring outdoors gear and crafts behind Farmer’s Market. Hourly outdoor skill and equipment demos. 9 a.m. – Elk Knob State Park, Todd. Summit Trail Hike, 4 miles (out and back). Ranger-led hike. Strenuous, for experienced hikers. Afterward, the opportunity for a self-guided hike on the Backcountry Trail, also 4 miles out and back. 10 a.m. – Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Jefferson. Summit and Rhododendron trails, 1.5 miles. Easy/moderate. 10:30 a.m. – New River State Park 5-mile paddle. Meet at Elk Shoals Access, shuttle to 163 Access. Easy/beginner friendly. 1 p.m. – New River State Park, Wagoneer Access, 3- and 7-mile hikes on Riverbend Trail. Easy/moderate. Beginner/Intermediate, depending upon distance. 2 p.m. – Local author reading, author tba, Ashe County Library. 2 p.m. – Pond Mountain, Creston, 1-4 mile hike, Easy/moderate. Beginner/intermediate hikers. 3:30 p.m. – Lansing Creeper Trail Park, Lansing. Guided mountain-bike ride, 3-4 miles. 5 - 8 p.m. -- Live folk music in Lansing Creeper Trail Park. Sunday August 6Self-guided hikes suggested for Sunday: Pond Mountain, easy/moderate: 4 miles.Three Top Mountain, strenuous: 4.2 miles.Elk Knob State Park, moderate/strenuous: Summit Trail, 4 miles.Mount Jefferson State Natural Area: Summit, Rhododendron, Lost Province trails, easy/moderate, 2.5 miles.Information on each hike will be available at the registration/information table in West Jefferson. Curated itinerariesThe Sampler Looking to experience the wide range of adventures Ashe County has to offer? The Sampler covers hiking, biking and paddling: Saturday, 10:30 a.m. –- New River State Park, 5-mile paddle.Saturday, 1 p.m. – New River State Park, Wagoneer Access, 3-mile hike on Riverbend Trail.Saturday, 3:30 p.m. – Lansing Creeper Trail Park, Lansing. Guided mountain bike ride, 3-4 milesThe Beginning Hiker Friday, 5 p.m. -- Mountains-to-Sea Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Jumping Off Rocks. 1 mile.Saturday, 10 a.m. – Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Jefferson. Summit and Rhododendron trails, 1.5 miles.Saturday, 2 p.m. – Pond Mountain, Creston, 1-mile hike.The NaturalistFriday, 5 p.m. – Guided hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway at Jumping Off Rocks. Feature: Blue Ridge escarpmentSaturday, 10 a.m. – Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, Jefferson. Summit and Rhododendron trails. Feature: Home to more than 700 plants.Saturday, 2 p.m. – Pond Mountain, Creston, 1-4 mile hike. Feature: Exposed plateau and ridge, similar to the Grayson Highlands/Mount Rogers area of Virginia, visible to the northeast.* * *Stay for the weekend. Find lodging options here.* * *Register here to receive the latest information as the event develops!