Our Mission

To explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth; to practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educate and enlist humanity; to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment and to use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

2009 Foothills Group Outings

Check back for updates! Scroll to the bottom of the page for general outings information.

November 7 (Sat.): Upper Harper Creek Falls Day Hike

The falls are over 200 ft high and the six miles easy. Join us! Bring water, lunch and rain gear. We'll meet at 8:00 and be back in town by 6. For more information call Joel Wooten before 9:00 p.m. at (336) 679-8672 or email at Joelhike@yahoo.com.

November 7 (Sat.): Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve Hike - cancelled

Reserve your spot today!!

We'll tour this beautiful Nature Conservancy property with guide Kim Hadley. Our hike will be short (about 2 miles roundtrip) and relatively easy, but there are some steep sections and rough areas with loose, rocky footing at the beginning of the trail. Also, if you do not have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, you'll need to take a short, somewhat bumpy ride in the back of a truck to get to a portion of the preserve.

Participation is limited to 12 people; we need at least 10 folks for the trip to go. We'll leave the Winston area about 9 a.m. in order to be ready for our 11 a.m. tour. The tour is expected to last about 3 hours; we should be back in Winston about 4 p.m.

Participants will need to pay approximately $10 each to the guide.

Click here for information about Bluff Mountain which is located not far from Jefferson, NC.

Contact Kathy Pounds at (336) 723-1237 or kathypounds@earthlink.net BY MONDAY NIGHT if you wish to participate.

November 21 (Sat.): Adopt-A-Highway Service Outing

Please join us as we pick up trash and recyclables along our adopted 2-mile stretch of beautiful Conrad Road in Lewisville. Gloves, safety vests, pick-up sticks and “back-saving” pick up grippers provided. Wear your “grubbies” and hiking or barn boots (to keep your feet dry). Total estimated service work – 2 hrs. We’ll meet at 9:00 a.m. at the Yadkin River Park access off Old Hwy 421. To sign up, contact Terry Powell (366) 922-5704 or teresap514@yahoo.com.

November 21 (Sat.): Horizons Park Beginners (& Others) Hike

This is a treasure in our own back yard and a chance to explore the joys of hiking. The park includes 492 acres of rolling, wooded hills and two hiking trails. Join us for an easy walk/hike of less than two miles (with a few steep climbs) starting at 9:00. Hiking boots or sturdy shoes, water and snacks recommended. Contact Laura Phail at (336) 723-2345 or lauraphail@mindspring.com.

December 12 (Sat.): Salem Lake Walk

Enjoy a fall morning walk around Salem Lake. The trail is easy but the distance is 7 miles. Wear good walking shoes, bring water, rain gear (binoculars, if you are a birder) and snacks. Call Terry Powell, (336) 922-5704 to sign up.

December 19 (Sat.): Hanging Rock State Park Day Hike

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and join us for a hike in Hanging Rock State Park. We will hike portions of the Lake, Chestnut Oak, Cooks Wall, and Wolf Rock Trails. These trails will give you an idea of how important our state parks are in preserving North Carolina’s natural heritage as well as preserving a place of peace and solitude. We will be back in town by afternoon. Contact Henry Fansler for details at 336-473-0283 or hbjfansler@windstream.net.

January 1 (Tues.): Yadkin River Day Hike

This five-mile, moderately difficult hike will take place in the Yadkin River section of Pilot Mountain State Park. Sleep late as we'll meet at noon for an afternoon hike. Bring water, snacks, and rain gear. For more information, call Joel Wooten before 9 p.m. at (336) 679-8672 or contact him at joelhike@yahool.com.

Check back later for updates!

Good birding spots in Forsyth County:

http://www.forsythaudubon.org/html/birdingspots.html

Also see outings information for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail:

http://www. ncmst.org/mstmonth.html

For regional outings information, please check the North Carolina Sierra Club web site at nc.sierraclub.org/outings/.

Outings Information

Please call the trip leader at a reasonable time of day, at least 48 hours prior to the outing, for details regarding level of difficulty, required equipment, and meeting location.

Outings are open to non-members. Invite a friend! Be sure to call outings leaders to let them know.

Bring a knapsack/daypack with water, food, whistle, and raingear.

Trips go unless hazardous conditions exist. Call the leader when in doubt.

Radios and firearms are prohibited.

Pets are permitted only when it is stated that pets are permitted.

Carpooling or ride sharing is strictly a private arrangement among the participants. The Sierra Club does not have insurance for carpooling arrangements and assumes no liability for them; participants assume the risks associated with this travel.

Difficulty Level- Hikers should make sure their ability and equipment match the difficulty.

Easy: 0-5 miles and elevation change of up to 1000 feet.
Moderate: 5-10 miles and elevation change 1000 to 2500 feet.
Strenuous: 10 miles or elevation change of more than 2500 feet.