TWENTY-FIVE MILES OF NEW TRAIL DEDICATED ALONG PARKWAY

 

Hikers out to complete the Mountains-to-Sea Trail have 25 new miles of trail to travel thanks to the steady, hard work of volunteers in the Watauga and South Ashe task forces. It is a beautiful stretch of trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone, West Jefferson and Wilkesboro. Hikers will experience breathtaking views, deep woods and pastures, and occasional historic structures along the parkway. Check out the FMST website for maps and other information about the Watauga and South Ashe sections of the MST.

 

The next generation helps cut the ribbon. Photo by Shelton Wilder.

On October 2, Deputy Director Carol Tingley of the NC Division of Parks and Recreation officially dedicated the new trail as part of the MST.  Two hundred people attended the ceremony to celebrate the official opening and hear Tingley and Deputy Superintendent Monika Mayr of the Blue Ridge Parkway, FMST Board Secretary Liz King, South Ashe Task Force Leader Jim Hallsey and Watauga Task Force Leader John Lanman recognize the work of the volunteers.

 

For more photos of the dedication and the trail check out the MST-Watauga blog by Shelton Wilder, who helps build the trail in Watauga County, and the Hiker to Hiker blog by Danny Bernstein, who is section-hiking the entire MST. 

 

Marker shows the way to the new trail. Photo by Shelton Wilder.

This trail dedication brings the MST very close to completion in the mountains. FMST volunteers have another six miles to build in Watauga County between Blowing Rock and the Bamboo Gap overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (Check out the Watauga trail workday schedule, if you'd like to join the work crew.) 

 

We're also working with State Parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Great Smoky Mountain National Park (GSMNP) to establish the official route that the MST will follow as it leaves the GSMNP and to increase campsites along the entire mountain route. 

Hundreds Gather on the MST for "Clues on the Neuse"

 

A scavenger hunt on the MST in downtown Smithfield drew more than 500 people to the newly-built trail on the banks of the Neuse River. The event was one of the festivities in October to celebrate Mountains-to-Sea Trail Month.

 

Painting a mural on the bridge abutment. Photo by Chris Johnson.

Contestants in "Clues on the Neuse" competed to answer 25 questions that helped them learn about the MST in North Carolina and in Smithfield itself.  Answering the questions correctly required that they compute trail miles, learn about camping gear, identify trees and snakes, learn about historical sites on the river, and even help paint a mural of trees on the abutment under the US 70 bridge. 

 

Everyone who answered all questions correctly was eligible for great prizes including a weekend getaway to the Days Inn at Nags Head (near the MST start/end at Jockey's Ridge State Park), Carolina Hurricanes tickets and Great Outdoor Provision Co. gift cards.  

 

Contestants puzzle out the clues. Photo by Chris Johnson.

Eight local groups including the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center, Clemmons Educational State Forest, Johnston County's Arts Council and Heritage Center, and the Parks & Recreation Departments of Clayton and Smithfield set up "campsites" along the river to help contestants answer the questions. 

 

Special thanks are due to Downtown Smithfield Development Corporation and the Johnston County Visitors Bureau who helped stage and publicize the event which also featured live entertainment from Ragged Company, the Neuse River Ramblers and Cindy Rhodes.

 

Thanks also to the Smithfield Herald for their news article about the event.