Saturday, May 21, 2011

Hike of the Week...Bent Creek!


The sun is out and thelaurels are at their peak in Bent Creek, so GET OUT THERE this weekend! If you've never been, or you always find yourself on the same trail again and again, then I urge you to pick up a copy of Trail Running in Bent Creek by Trish Brown. I've been taking my dogs to Bent Creek for 15 years, and still found LOTS of new places to go when I discovered this book. It is very thorough, with each trail described in detail with respect to mileage, elevation gains and losses and landmarks. My favorite thing, though, are the CARRY CARDS...a deck of laminated cards, one hike per card, that you can slip into your pocket or down your sports bra so you are sure to make it back out of the woods safety. (Warning: the carry cards, though laminated, don't hold up particularly well to sweat, so watch where you stuff it. Just sayin'.) And just because it is called "Trail Running" does not mean that hikers, walkers and cyclists won't find some new gem they did not know existed. Visit ashevilletrailrunning.com to order a copy of the book or find a local retailer.

Bent Creek is a great place to take your dogs, but remember that the majority of people with dogs you encounter will have their dogs off leash. If that is a problem for you or your dog, stick to the trails in the Arboretum, where you will get a talkin' to if you let your pooch run free.

Also, FYI, we saw a pair of copperheads last weekend sunning themselves by a creek. They will be on the move this weekend if it gets as warm as they say. Admire from a distance.




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