We are excited to announce that we are planning our first outing in about 25 years. Please join us Saturday, January 11, 2025 for a leisurely hike at Trout Lake and Rich Mountain. This is part of the Moses Cone Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock. The hike covers about 2.7 miles with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. You can register for the hike on the calendar on our home page.

We will meet at the Trout Lake parking lot at 10:00. The hike starts along the shore of Trout Lake where we can enjoy the view of the lake and walk through an old-growth hemlock forest. We then turn up the Rich Mountain carriage road, part of the Cone Estate's 25-mile carriage road system. The well-maintained road climbs gradually through second-growth hardwood forests for about 2 miles with about 290' of elevation gain. We will emerge on an open field before dropping back down to the parking area. The hike will take 2-3 hours depending on how often we stop to discuss the natural and cultural history of the Cone estate along the way. Be sure to bring whatever snacks you need, a liter of water, and appropriate layers and rain gear.