After Work Evening Arboretum Hike

The parking is NOT FREE anymore ($12/car). If you think you will be attending these often, it might be worth getting the annual pass for $45.

We will meet at the UPPER PARKING LOT by the Visitors' Center and depart for the trails at 5:15 pm. Come into the Arboretum Main Entrance off of Hwy 191 and go up the hill to the main parking area. I will be somewhere in the middle.

Dogs: Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome, and there are a couple of streams we will cross (on bridges) or walk near so our furry friends can drink and play in the water a bit. Your dog must be on a leash--people have gotten ticketed at the Arboretum because their dogs weren't on leashes!

Length: The entire hike will be about 3.5 miles, with an option for a shorter hike, and we should be back in the parking lot between 6:15 and 6:30 pm at the latest.

Difficulty: I would rate this hike as an "easy" hike, with a couple of places going up hills being more "moderate," but not too strenuous. SINCE IT IS GETTING DARKER EARLIER AND EARLIER, we will Need to go at a pretty steady pace, we need to try to be back before it gets really dark. Please try to stay with the group when hiking!

The Route: We will take some version of the following: Go across the parking lot by the Baker Exhibit Center, down the Nature Garden Trail (0.1 mile), to the Wesley Branch Trail (0.4 miles) to Bent Creek Road (1.3 miles, flat), then turn right to connect to the Carolina Mountain Trail (1.3 miles) and back to the parking lot. We will stop at all trail intersections.

What to bring: Appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather. A flashlight, since it may be dark at the end of the hike especially later in the season. The trails are well maintained, so you can get by with sneakers if it's dry. Also some water, a hat, and maybe some bug repellent. Finally, a camera and/or smart phone. (There is one porta-john available for use about 2/3 of the way through the hike.)

What if it rains? If it rains, you will probably get wet. Bring appropriate clothing, including rain gear.

Hope to see you there.