On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

NRC Slalom US Open

 

Elite slalom paddlers strive for precision and speed on the legendary Nantahala Falls course at this classic southeastern race. Meanwhile, wildwater racers compete in sprint and classic components on the Nantahala River.

Spectators are invited to enjoy the show from the Forest Service walkway along the Nantahala Falls, which affords excellent views of both races. Bring a cup of fresh coffee or hot cocoa from River’s End Restaurant, located just downstream of the race course, and warm your hands as you enjoy US whitewater racing at its best!

Racers and their families will get 10% off at River’s End Restaurant for the weekend of the race! Just wear your US Open t-shirt in to the restaurant!*
*Excludes alcohol purchases.

Course Information

Slalom: Nantahala Falls Course (Class III)
Downriver Sprint: Patton’s Run Rapid (Class III)
Downriver Classic: Ferebbee Park to the Jumping Rock (Class II)

 

The Merrell Adventure Dash is all about getting outside and challenging yourself to work hard for your good time. Suitable for families as well as adults, participants will negotiate a series of natural and man-made obstacles along the 5K course, including balance components, climbs and nets, a river-run, and raft crossing. This holiday weekend, enjoy a fun, family-friendly adventure run in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Merrell Adventure Dash participants can choose between the 5K dash or a 1K fun run. Kids aged 12 and under race free with a participating adult.

Registraion opens March 1, 2020. Check back for more details.
Onsite Registration is available from 1pm – 3:30pm day of. The race starts promptly at 4PM on 5/23/2020.

Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

On exhibit Saturdays and Sundays from 12 – 4 p.m., Rocky Cove Railroad is a G-Scale (garden scale) model train that demonstrates the coming of trains to western North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. The exhibit is located below the Grand Promenade. Please note, Rocky Cove Railroad will not operate in rainy or wet conditions.

 

The Merrell Adventure Dash is all about getting outside and challenging yourself to work hard for your good time. Suitable for families as well as adults, participants will negotiate a series of natural and man-made obstacles along the 5K course, including balance components, climbs and nets, a river-run, and raft crossing. This holiday weekend, enjoy a fun, family-friendly adventure run in the beautiful Nantahala Gorge. Merrell Adventure Dash participants can choose between the 5K dash or a 1K fun run. Kids aged 12 and under race free with a participating adult.

Registraion opens March 1, 2020. Check back for more details.
Onsite Registration is available from 1pm – 3:30pm day of. The race starts promptly at 4PM on 5/23/2020.

Remember to wear anything you don’t mind getting dirty!

Free Senior Yoga Classes

Did you know that every Monday at 4:30 p.m. the Leicester Community Center hosts a free Yoga class for seniors? Whether you’re in your 60’s, 70’s, or beyond, Yoga is a fantastic, low-impact workout for seniors.

According to the AARP, practicing Yoga:

Reduces Anxiety
Protects Your Joints
Brings Strength and Balance
Sharpens Your Mind
Bosses Your Mood
Helps Improve Your Quality of Health and Life
The Leicester Community Center is located at 2979 New Leicester Highway. The classes last for about an hour. Regular classes begin after the senior classes end at 6 p.m.

For more information about the recurring event, email [email protected], or give them a call at 828.250.4260.

Western North Carolina Sierra Club group (WENOCA) is following guidance from the national Sierra Club to cancel all in-person meetings, events, hikes and outings until at least April 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That date may be extended if needed. Our April 9 program meeting on the Nantahala/Pisgah forest management plan revision has been rescheduled and adapted so that you can join us safely from your home. The event will now move forward and online, to April 2 at 7 p.m. Join us for this important meeting! Please register in advance for the webinar here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about how to log in by computer or call in by phone. The discussion will feature Sam Evans of Southern Environmental Law Center, Josh Kelly of Mountain True, and David Reid from WENOCA. This webinar will provide background about the Nantahala/Pisgah plan revision that will be critical in helping you submit informed comments to the U.S. Forest Service. (The comment period was due to end on May 14, but the USFS has indicated it will extend the period; no date has yet been set.) You can learn more about the draft plan and get updates on the comment period by signing up at the N.C. Sierra Club’s Pisgah-Nantahala campaign page on AddUp . We’d love for you to be part of this event and to keep attention on this important issue. Please join us online! Until further notice, the WENOCA Group has cancelled all hikes, outings and in-person committee meetings. That includes the March 26 showing of the film Ay Mariposa, co-sponsored by WENOCA. We hope to resume our monthly program meetings soon. We are grateful for your passion and involvement, and want you to continue to be actively involved in our work. So please, for now, keep in touch online! Watch for further information by email, on our website, and on our Facebook page.

Where: Reasonover Creek Trail, DuPont State Recreational Forest

Meet: Columbus, Food Lion parking area, east side, @ 8:30

5.3-miles, moderate; trail type – loop

Hikers will experience the natural beauty of DuPont’s Fawn Lake, Lake Julia, and Reasonover Creek on this trek!Following Fawn Lake Road past the small lake, the trail will lead hikers over an abandoned airstrip where we will follow Camp Summit Road to Lake Julia for stunning views of the lake and a snack. This one-hundred-acre man-made lake is surrounded by beautiful rocky cliffs. After taking in the sights at the lake, we’ll pick up the Reasonover Creek Trail. Along this portion of trail, there are a few places that we’ll have to cross Reasonover Creek – there may be the opportunity to rock-hop, but be prepared to get your feet wet or take the time to take off and put on your boots!  Hopefully, we’ll have the opportunity to see spring wildflowers along the way…maybe even a bird or two!

Contact [email protected] with additional questions.

Conserving Carolina is sponsoring a Friday hiking series this fall, free, guided, and open to the public. The hikes will meet at various locations (noted for each date) and will leave promptly at 8:45 a.m. Hikers should plan to return to the area in the late afternoon, time varying with group size, distance of hike, and drive time. Car-pooling will be organized at the meeting locations. If you’re coming from an area closer to the trailhead, please contact Pam Torlina (email above and number below) to make other meeting arrangements.

Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear. Bring a bag lunch and/or snack and plenty of water for yourself. In case of inclement weather, call the Conserving Carolina office, ext. 300, before 8:15 a.m. on the date of the hike, and/or check our Facebook page and calendar. Please also remember to bring any medication that you may need in the event of an emergency (ie: epinephrine, nitroglycerine, insulin, etc.). Hike leaders will carry a first aid kit; however, it may not contain specific medication for your individual needs.