First Saturday Outing, December 6

DECEMBER 6
DRBA TO HIKE MOORE'S WALL LOOP
AT HANGING ROCK STATE PARK

DRBA's December 6 outing will be a moderately strenuous 5-mile hike on Moore's Wall Loop Trail at Hanging Rock State Park near Danbury, NC. Meeting at 10:00 at the bathhouse parking lot in the park, participants will begin the hike at the 1938 stone bathhouse, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Coordinated by Outings Chair Paul Johnson, the hike will approach the summit of Moore's Knob through a series of switchbacks and then return down a steep descent. Along the way, the trail passes along the shore of Hanging Rock Lake, follows the aptly named Cascade Creek, provides a view of Indian Face rock formation, and reaches a spectacular 360-degree view from the observation tower at the top. The summit of the quartzite mountain rises some 1000 feet above the surrounding countryside.

Participants in the outing are asked to supply lunch and water, to wear hiking boots and layers of artificial (quick-drying) fabric or wool, to be ready for rain or wind, and to sign a waiver.

DIRECTIONS:
Two miles north of Danbury on NC 8/NC 89, turn south onto Hanging Rock Road (SR 2015). Drive two miles to the park entrance at the end of Hanging Rock Road. After entering the park, drive up the mountain past the Visitor's Center entrance to the end of the road at the bathhouse parking lot.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Paul Johnson, kpauljohnson@yahoo.com or 434-579-7599.

***SPECIAL NOTE***

The 25th Annual Sprig Outing will be held on the Upper Little River on the same day, December 6. For more information about this traditional mistletoe-gathering excursion into a beautiful Carolina swamp, click here.

Article and Photo by: T Butler

Posted by: Vicky Thomas