I was a teenage trail-hound: Buncombe County Parks & Recreation Services is hosting a “Teen Club for Hiking,” open to teens ages 11 to 15, with the goals of building outdoor skills and adding a pinch of environmental education to young lives.
So far, three trips are planned: A March 31 hike to Graveyard Fields, an April 14 excursion to Craggy Pinnacle and a May 12 clamber up Mount Pisgah. Trips will depart by van from the Interchange Building in downtown Asheville at 10 a.m. on the day of the hike.
The trips cost $15 each and are limited to 12 participants. To register, call Jay Nelson at 250-4269.
Chim-chim-a-ney, chim-chim-cher-ooo: In other news from the trail, Chimney Rock Park is planning a series of guided hikes at the 1,000-acre nature preserve and tourist magnet beginning Jan. 27.
During the first excursion, titled “Barking up the Right Tree,” Park naturalist Ron Lance will take guests on a woodland hike to learn the whys and hows of tree bark.
February’s provocatively named “Naked Tree Peeping” hike will focus on winter tree identification, and a March hike entitled “Hard Rock Hop” will probe Chimney Rock Park’s woods and ravines for the creatures and plants who make their homes between a rock and a … oh, you get the idea.
Preregistration is required. Call (800) 277-9611. Admission to the privately owned park is $14 for adults and $6 for youngsters ages 6 through 15. Annual passes are $25 and allow unlimited visits.
