The MST turns 47 this September
Each year, we celebrate how far the trail has come since September 1977, when Howard Lee (pictured far right), then the Secretary of the NC Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, proposed “establishing a state trail between the mountains and the seashore in North Carolina.”
This year, there are several great ways to get involved. All the details are below:
- Birthday Challenge – Participate by hiking or paddling 47 miles or biking 147 miles on the MST or volunteering 15 hours between Sept. 1st through Sept. 30th.
- Participate in an MST group event – Join a group hike or workday listed below.
- Visit 10 North Carolina State Parks – The MST co-locates with 10 of NC’s beautiful State Parks. Explore the MST in the parks and tag us in your picture #mstbirthday
- Hear from 40 Great Day Hikers – Join us on Zoom as we hear from our 40 Great Day hikers and Jim Grode, author of the Great Day Hikes on the MST.
- Give or Fundraise to Support the MST – give a special $47 birthday gift to the trail.
As part of our continuing commitment to making the MST a welcoming, diverse and inclusive place, we encourage you to invite friends, colleagues, family, and neighbors who have not been on an MST adventure to join in.
Birthday Challenge
47 Mile Challenge
Hike or Paddle 47 miles or Bike 147 miles or Volunteer 15 hours
on the MST between September 1st – 30th, 2024
Hike or paddle 47 miles or bike 147 miles or volunteer 15 hours on the MST during the month of September for a chance to win great prizes from REI, Rip Stop by the Roll, and Insect Shield. You can repeat your favorite sections over and over or explore new mileage on the MST.
- This year we celebrate hikers, paddlers, bikers AND volunteers along the MST!
- All walkers or paddlers who complete 47 miles or bikers who complete 147 miles or volunteers who work 15 hours on the MST between September 1st through September 30th, 2024, are eligible to win a prize.
- Please track mileage, dates of hikes or hours of service and submit via this form by October 7th to be eligible for prize drawing.
- For logistics, we recommend using our trail guides (which are available for free to all current members of Friends of the MST) or Great Day Hikes on North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail. If you would like to log volunteer hours, visit our workday calendar HERE.
Group Hikes, Workdays, and MST Events in September 2024
Please check back frequently as more events across the state will be added. If you’d like to host an event, email Sherri Seagroves at sseagroves@mountainstoseatrail.org.
WEDNESDAY, 4th:
- Falls Lake Lucky 13 – Join Jerry and Bill as they lead a 4.7-mile hike at Falls Lake in Raleigh. Explore Segment 12 and Segment 13 with two of the MST’s greatest historians. For more details and to register, click HERE.
SATURDAY, 7th:
- Orange County MST Hike with GirlTrek – Join Bill and BJ as they lead a 3-mile hike at historic Occoneechee Speedway in Hillsborough. You’ll explore the new ‘reroute’ of the MST which includes the whimsical “Rachel’s Unfinished Wall.’ For more details and to register, click HERE.
TUESDAY, 10th:
- Along Falls Lake – Join Jerry and Bill for this 4-mile hike along the shores of Falls Lake in Raleigh. See effects of prescribed burns, boulders attributed to Triassic Fault and more! For more details and to register, click here.
FRIDAY, 20th:
- MST Cleanup Camp-N-Hike: Join the Trashy Ladies for a fun MST trail cleanup on Friday and then camp overnight at Falls Lake. For more details and to register, click here.
SATURDAY, 28th:
- Falls Lake Workday – Jeff will be leading trail maintenance at Falls Lake. For more details and to register, click here.
FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER:
If you don’t see your area represented, consider creating an informal group with your hiking pals, work pals, neighbors or family to get more folks out on the MST.
Visit the MST in NC State Parks
Did you know that the MST co-locates with 10 of North Carolina’s State Parks? Visit one or all 10 and tag us in your photos on social media #MSTbirthday.
1.) Mount Mitchell State Park – Visit the highest peak on the MST! Click HERE
2.) Grandfather Mountain State Park – Scramble along cliffs, gripping cables and climb ladders! Click HERE
3.) Stone Mountain State Park – Explore this beautiful 600-foot granite dome. Click HERE
4.) Pilot Mountain State Park – This iconic geologic knob serves as a beacon to visitors. Click HERE
5.) Hanging Rock State Park – Explore beautiful waterfalls and caves. Click HERE
6.) Eno River State Park – Located in Durham and Orange County, explore this beautiful river. Click HERE
7.) Falls Lake State Recreation Area – Play at beautiful Falls Lake in Durham and Wake counties. Click HERE
8.) Jones Lake State Park – Paddle and picnic in Bladen County. Click HERE
9.) Singletary Lake State Park – Hike, fish, and camp at one of Bladen County’s beautiful lakes. Click HERE
10.) Jockey’s Ridge State Park – Explore the dunes, hang glide and take your picture at the MST terminus monument. Click HERE
Donate to support the MST
It’s not a true celebration until you’ve given the trail a birthday gift!
Our work to build, maintain, protect and promote the MST is supported by people like you. Consider giving a special $47 gift to the trail in honor of the MST’s 47th birthday to support our work. While a gift of any amount is always appreciated, the first five people who donate $100 or more from August 28-September 30 will receive a copy of Discovering North Carolina’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail, A Companion for Hikers and Armchair Explorers written by Jerry Barker. One donor will be chosen at random to receive a special MST prize pack!
None of the work we do would be possible without our donors. Your employer may also have a matching gift program – an easy way to double your giving.
Fundraise to Support the MST
Commit to raise funds to help build, maintain, protect and promote the MST.
Raise $470 or more to receive a special surprise!
Invite your friends to support your love of the MST by setting up a Facebook fundraiser (or other peer-to-peer system that you prefer.)
You can set up a peer-to-peer fundraiser through Facebook quite easily. If you choose this route, let us know so we know to watch for those gifts because we aren’t notified by them. It’s easy to do, click here to find our fundraising page on Facebook. You’ll be on a pre-filled template for general donations – you can edit the standard donation copy by downloading 47th Birthday Campaign copy. We can also send you photos from the trail or any logos you may need.
