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View hikes, paddles & outings for FCNC and affiliated organizations:


 Foothills Conservancy
RSVP required for all outings. Email us at info@foothillsconservancy.org or call 828-437-9930.
Wear appropriate clothing and footwear and bring water and snacks/lunch with you.

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Information on Day Hikes to Catawba Falls:
Directions:
From I-40 west bound: take Exit 73.  Turn left at the stop sign and go under the highway.  Take the first right onto what
appears to be the eastbound end of the exit ramp.  Two-way traffic exits to the "crossover" to Catawba River Road.  Follow this
road to its end, about 3-4 miles.  Parking is on the lefthand shoulder of the road prior to the narrow river bridge.

From I-40 eastbound: while still on the exit ramp you'll make a very sharp turn to the right at the "crossover".

Thanks to a temporary management agreement with McDowell County, the public may now day-hike on the Conservancy's
Catawba Falls Trail to reach the lower Catawba Falls on Pisgah National Forest, no guided hikes required.  

Trail use is permitted according to rules that will be monitored and enforced by McDowell County.

Daytime Foot Traffic Only
No Alcohol, No Firearms
No Camping
No Fires
Pack it in, Pack it out - No Litter

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE! All waterfalls are extremely hazardous and require caution and adult supervision of children at
all times.  Other trail hazards may exist near the falls.

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 Chimney Rock State Park
828-625-9611
Toll-free 800-277-9611


What's Blooming in Fall!
Dates: Sep 1st - Sep 30th
Below is a brief listing of some of the plants, trees and shrubs to look for in and around Chimney Rock Park and our surrounding area in
late summer and early-mid fall.

Sept. - Nov.
Cardinal-flower, ironweed, Eupatoriums, asters, goldenrod, Beefsteak Plant, Joe-Pye Weed, Pink Turtlehead, Round-Leaved Snakeroot,
Mountain Spiderwort, Horse Balm, Fireweed, Asiatic Dayflower and Orange Jewelweed.

Events for September:

Hammered Dulcimer Music with John Mason
Dates:      Sep 2nd - Sep 3rd, Sep 5th - Sep 6th, Sep 15th, Sep 17th - Sep 19th, Sep 23rd - Sep 25th, Sep 30th
Chimney Rock's featured entertainer, John Mason, plays the hammered dulcimer. Learn more about this unique instrument and listen to
John's beautiful music and funny stories. In the event of inclement weather, John may not be able to play.

Fall Homeschool Day
Dates:      Sep 8th
Time:      10am-1:30pm
Cost:      $12 per student; $11.50 for parents; Annual Passholders $7 per student and no cost for parents

Join our education team for fun and interactive programs in our 1000-acre classroom guaranteed to make learning come alive. Full program
description coming soon.  Click here to register online now.


Grandparent's Day Special
Dates:      Sep 11th - Sep 12th
Treat your grandparents to a fun-filled day at Chimney Rock. When you purchase one regularly-priced adult ticket, receive one youth ticket for free.
Coupon must be presented to the Ticket Plaza at the time of purchase. Valid September 11 and 12, 2010


Naturalist Series - Birding
Dates:      Sep 25th - Sep 26th
Time:      Programs offered throughout the weekend.
Cost:      No additional cost with Park admission because we are combining the Naturalist Series with Flock to the Rock
For this month's Naturalist Series, we're piggybacking with Flock to the Rock (see below). Naturalists will have the opportunity to learn all about
birds from how to spot and identify them to how to provide the right food and shelter.


Flock to the Rock
Dates:      Sep 25th - Sep 26th
Time:      Walks and Programs All Day
Cost:      No additional cost with Park admission.
Birds flock to Chimney Rock! And we're offering all kinds of programs to get you going bonkers over birds, too. We'll have guided walks with area
ornithologists, opportunities to “get up close and personal” with non-releasable birds of prey, and lots of workshops and other fun activities. This
weekend also marks the annual hawk migration over our area when dozens, sometimes hundreds, of hawks can be seen heading to southern
wintering grounds.


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 South Mountains State Park
Phone: (828) 433-4772
Call the park office for more information and to pre-register for the upcoming programs.


Saturday, September 4 at 2 PM “Bats”
Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair?  Do they turn into vampires?  Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm to learn some Bat
facts and have an opportunity to view some Bats.

Sunday, September 5 at 11 AM “Skulls and Skins”
Look for a Park Ranger and his interesting display of skulls and skins at the Visitor Center.  Drop by between 11:00 -12:00 and hear about some
of the animals that call South Mountains State Park home.

Sunday, September 5 at 2 PM “Birds:  The Good, the Bad, the Funny”
Join Ranger Waltz for an indoor program and a short hike to identify and to learn more about our feathered friends.  Meet at the Visitor Center
at 2:00 pm.

Saturday, September 11 at 11 AM “Tree ID Hike”
Join a Park Ranger for an easy 1.0 mile walk along the Hemlock Nature Trail.  Tree identification will be the focus of this hike which will begin at
the Jacob Fork Parking Area at 11:00 am.

Saturday, September 11 at 2 PM “Bats”
Are bats blind?  Do they fly into your hair?  Do they turn into vampires?  Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm to learn some Bat facts
and have an opportunity to view some Bats.

Sunday, September 12 at 11 AM “Skulls and Skins”
Look for a Park Ranger and his interesting display of skulls and skins at the Visitor Center.  Drop by between 11:00 -12:00 and hear about some of the
animals that call South Mountains State Park home.

Sunday, September 12 at 2 PM “Owl Pellets”
Join a Park Ranger to examine owl pellets and reconstruct prey skeletons.  Owl pellets are clean of flesh, odorless and can be handled easily by all age
groups.  Meet at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm.  

Saturday, September 18  at 11 AM “The 10 Essentials”
What items should you always carry with you when hiking?  Meet a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 11:00 am to learn about the "10 Essentials".   

Saturday, September 18  at 2 PM “Birds of Prey”
Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm and learn about some of the birds of prey found in the South Mountains. You will learn about the
distinguishing characteristics of these animals, and find out why they are called birds of prey.

Sunday, September 19 at 11 AM “Skulls and Skins”
Look for a Park Ranger and his interesting display of skulls and skins at the Visitor Center.  Drop by between 11:00 -12:00 and hear about some of the
animals that call South Mountains State Park home.

Sunday, September 19 at 2 PM “The Roles and Responsibilities of an NC State Ranger”
What does a Park Ranger do on a day to day basis?  Meet in the Visitor Center auditorium. At 2:00 pm.

Saturday, September 25 “8th Annual Nature Day”
Join us for the 8th Annual Nature Day at the park.  A variety of programs, exhibits, hikes and music are scheduled for your enjoyment.  Food and beverages
will be available for purchase. Contact the park office for more information at (828)433-4772.

Sunday, September 26 at 11 AM “Skulls and Skins”
Look for a Park Ranger and his interesting display of skulls and skins at the Visitor Center.  Drop by between 11:00 -12:00 and hear about some of the animals
that call South Mountains State Park home.

Sunday, September 26 at 2 PM “Birds of Prey”
Join a Park Ranger at the Visitor Center at 2:00 pm and learn about some of the birds of prey found in the South Mountains. You will learn about the
distinguishing characteristics of these animals, and find out why they are called birds of prey.

TAKE A CHILD OUTSIDE
Hey Parents!!!!!

Join a Park Ranger during “Take A Child Outside Week” to learn all sorts of fun stuff about water critters, trees, animals, and fish just to name
a few. Programs will be offered from September 24th to September 30th.  The same program will be offered twice a day at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm,
unless otherwise noted.  See below for program schedule and descriptions.
September 24: “What's in the Water?”
Join a Park Ranger in the stream to turn over some rocks and learn more about what you might find there. Come prepared to get wet!! Meet at the
Visitor Center.
September 25: “8th Annual Nature Day”
Join us from 11:00-4:00 for the 8th Annual Nature Day at the park. A variety of programs, exhibits, hikes and music are scheduled for your enjoyment.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
September 26 “Skulls and Skins”
Join a Park Ranger at the PlaceNameVisitor PlaceTypeCenter at 11:00 am and learn about some of South Mountains animals and their adaptations.

September 26 “Birds of Prey”
Join a Park Ranger at the PlaceNameVisitor PlaceTypeCenter at 2:00 pm and learn about some of the birds of prey found in the South Mountains.

September 27: “Animals of the South Mountains”
Join a Park Ranger to learn about the many animals that call South Mountains home. Meet at the Family Campground Amphitheatre.

September 28:  “Tracks”
Join a Ranger at the placePlaceNameVisitor PlaceTypeCenter to learn about common animal tracks and their makers. Make our own track to
take home.  

September 29: “Owl Pellets”
Join a Park Ranger to examine owl pellets and reconstruct prey skeletons. Owl pellets are clean of flesh, odorless and can be handled easily
by all age groups. Meet at the Jacob Fork Picnic Area.  
September 30: “Streamside Hike”
Join a Park Ranger at the Jacob Fork Parking Area for a streamside hike along the Jacob Fork River.

Saturday, September 4 at 11 AM “Black Bears: Majestic Creatures of the Wild”
How dangerous are black bears?  Can we coexist?  Why are black bears so unique?  What should I do if I see a black bear?  The program will
begin at 11:00 am in the Visitor Center.

South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18.  We welcome the community to join us for our monthly
educational interpretive programs.  Call the park office at (828) 433-4772 for more information.

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 Lakes James State Park
Phone: (828) 652-5047
All programs will meet at the park office.  Please plan on arriving a few minutes early.

Take Flight with North Carolina State Parks
Join Lake James State Park in 2010 as we kick off our annual theme “Take Flight with North Carolina State Parks”!  
Throughout the year we will be offering new and exciting bird-themed programs as well as bringing back some of our favorites.  
Join us for a program or stop by our office and pick up your 2010 annual theme collectible bandana for only $3.

Saturday, September 18 -  7th Annual Catawba Riverfest - 10 AM - 3 PM


If you would like to receive our event list each month via email, contact Nora Coffey at nora.mcgrath@ncdenr.gov or call the
park office at (828) 652-5047.

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 Rutherford Outdoor Coalition
Membership and other information can be found there, but it is not necessary to join in order to attend outings or events.

Every Monday: Cycling Group Ride
Meet at Ingles in Lake Lure.

Every Thursday: Cycling Group Ride  
Meet at Barley's in Spindale.


October 2 - Tour de Pumpkin Annual Bike Ride in Rutherfordton