Trail News: From the NC Mountains to the Sea

MST PHOTO CONTEST WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Check out the winning photographs and take five minutes to watch the slideshow of all 189 submitted photos. They will make you want to head out for the trail.

Twilight below Potato Knob, Black Mountains - Stephen Schoof

FIRST PLACE - VIEW FROM THE TRAIL - Twilight below Potato Knob, Black Mountains by Stephen Schoof

Thanks to everyone who submitted photos, and a special thanks to our distinguished panel of judges: Photojournalist Ted Richardson of Ted Richardson Media; Jessica Lobdell of Jessica Lobdell Photography; and Chuck Millsaps of Great Outdoor Provision Co.

Thanks also to Great Outdoor Provision Co. and all the corporate sponsors who made the contest possible.

We plan to make the photo contest an annual event. We hope you'll enter your best MST photos in next year's contest. We'll start accepting submissions in August 2012.

TWO GREAT WAYS TO SUPPORT THE MST

ONE - Please make a gift to help FMST build, protect and promote North Carolina's trail. You can make your gift online, or you can print and mail your donation.

TWO - Show your love of the MST by being one of the first 300 people to buy a speciality MST plate. Submit your application now, and MST license plate

when FMST has pre-sold 300 plates, the NC Division of Motor Vehicles will make the plates and mail you yours.

If you hurry and send your application in by December 31, you'll be entered into a drawing for three $100 gift cards donated by REI, Mast General Store, and Great Outdoor Provision Co.

MST NEWS BRIEFS...

FIRST PLACE - PEOPLE ON THE TRAIL - Sunset crowd at Jockey's Ridge by Stephen Schoof

Since the last e-news, Lora Arrington became the 7th person to complete the MST in 2011. In addition, a team of 18 Camp LeJeune Marines known as the Fortunate Sons became the first to complete a relay hike of the trail. Scot "Taba" Ward, who has hiked the MST four times, went along as their guide.
Thanks to REI for a generous $10,000 grant for trail projects including new bridges on the Eno River trail section and for new campsites along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Congratulations to the Watauga trail crew who have now completed construction of five miles of trail near Boone to close the only gap in a 300-mile stretch of trail in the mountains. Next spring, the volunteers will install blazes and signs for an official trail opening on National Trails Day - Saturday, June 2. Please join us that day!
FIRST PLACE - YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHER - Sea Oats at Nags Head by Miranda Knox
At Falls Lake, another trail gap is being closed as contractors install a steel pedestrian bridge over Little Lick Creek this week. In January, ramps and boardwalk will be built to create a continuous 60-mile stretch of trail. The official bridge and trail opening ceremony are set for Saturday, May 19. Please put the date on your calendar.
Congratulations to David Bland, one of our trail crew leaders at Falls Lake, for being named Volunteer of the Year by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
On November 9th, the City of Raleigh opened 6.5 miles of what will soon be a 28-mile greenway along the Neuse River from the Falls Lake dam to the Johnston County line. This trail connects directly to the 60 miles of the MST already constructed by volunteers at Falls Lake. Read FMST's Raleigh News & Observer op-ed to learn more about progress on the MST in the Triangle.
A volunteer chainsaws a stump

Earlier this month, trail volunteers from around the state came together for our annual chainsaw class which teaches them how to safely operate a chainsaw and meet the requirements of the land agencies where the trail is located.
Thanks to the Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts for their 50-mile/24-hour fundrasing hike on the MST at Falls Lake. A portion of the proceeds are to be donated to FMST to build, protect and promote the trail.
And thanks to Keri Christensen and friends for decorating an MST Christmas Tree at the Johnston County Festival of Trees.
And a final, very big thank you to ASU Senior/FMST Intern Matt Groce and to Galileos Bar and Cafe in Boone for organizing a benefit dinner and concert for the MST on November 5th. The fun, delicious event raised $540 for the trail.