Hike in September

Walk 45 miles on the MST between September 1st and 30th or join a group hike on September 8-10.

45 Mile Challenge

Hike 45 miles anywhere on the MST during September for a chance to win great prizes from REI (including REI brand Flash Carbon Trekking Poles, a Flexlight Air Chair, a Flash 22 Park, a Flannel Fleece blanket and large zip pouches)  Ripstop by the Roll (creating a custom, limited edition pouch), VisitNC and others. You can repeat your favorite sections over and over, explore a new 45 miles, walk over a series a days a little at a time or do it all at once!

• This challenge only counts hiking miles – paddling and biking miles are not eligible. 
• All walkers who complete 45 miles on the MST by midnight on September 30th will be entered to win a prize packs.
• Please track mileage and dates of hikes and submit via this form by October 7th to be eligible for prize drawing.
• For hike 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.

For those walkers around the Triangle who want to complete the challenge, Friends’ of the MST Jennifer Browndorf and Iwona Birk are hosting a series of hikes around Durham and Raleigh in September. These hikes begin and end with a trailhead litter pick up and are designed to help folks get the miles in and give back to the MST. More information can be found here.

Group Hikes on September 8, 9 & 10 – REGISTRATION CLOSED & HIKES COMPLETED – THANKS TO ALL WHO JOINED US!

THURSDAY, 8TH

• Surf City Bridge Hike led by Kathy Tucci – Meet at 9 am in Soundside Park for a beautiful, family-friendly hike over the Surf City Bridge and back. You can register through our form or call 910-259-1536 or email Tammy directly. Approximately 2 miles total.

FRIDAY, 9th:

• FULL: Falls Lake led by Jerry Barker – Meet at 9 am at the Rolling View Rec Area, Baptist Road MST parking lot (link to google map), hiking along Falls Lake, exploring farm ruins, a new trail re-route, to “Tinker Toy Bridge” and return. 2.5 miles total.
• Burgaw Hike on Osgood Canal Greenway led by Parks & Rec Staff – Meet at 9 am at Hankins Park (310 North Walker Street, Burgaw) for a hike along the paved canal greenway.  You can register through our form or call 910-259-1536 or email Tammy directly. Approximately 2 miles total.

SATURDAY, 10th:

• FULL: Asheville-area led by Les Love – Meet at meet at 8:15 am at the Folk Art Center (BRP milepost 382.0) to carpool to Greybeard Overlook and leisurely hike 1.5 miles out to the gorgeous view at Lunch Rock.  3 miles total.
• Elkin-area led by Elkin Valley Trails Association – Meet at 9 am at Grassy Creek Winery (235 Chatham Cottage Ln, State Rd, NC 28676) to hike to Bridge of Dreams location at Carter Falls. 4.5 miles total
• Hillsborough Riverwalk to Occoneechee Speedway led by Lynne Bresler – Meet at 9:15 at the entrance to the Riverwalk (just to the west of the Hillsborough Public Parking Garage at the corner of Nash and Kolloch Streets) to hike the Riverwalk, past the Occaneechi Village Site and to the historic speedway. Take a lap there and return to the Eno River Farmers Market or continue to Gold Park to complete the entire Great Day Hike 20. 3-5 miles total.
• Kids’ hike Falls Lake led by Friends of the MST’s executive director Brent Laurenz – Meet at 9:30 at the MST directional sign in Blue Jay Point County Park along Falls Lake. For parking, take the first left after entering the park, following signs to the Lodge, and then park in the first parking lot on the right. We’ll take a short hike on the MST and then spend time on the playground.  Juiceboxes and snacks will be provided! 1.5 miles total.
• FULL: Falls Lake led by Jerry Barker – Meet at 9 am at the Rolling View Rec Area, Baptist Road MST parking lot (link to google map), hiking along Falls Lake, exploring farm ruins, a new trail re-route, to “Tinker Toy Bridge” and return. 2.5 miles total.
• Moores Creek National Battlefield led by Park Staff – Meet at 9 am at the Visitor Center, 40 Patriots Hall Dr, Currie, NC 28435, for an informative and historic hike around Moores Creek Battlefield. This is the site of a 1776 victory of Patriots over Loyalists. You can register through our form or call 910-259-1536 or email Tammy directly. Approximately 1 mile total.
• Croatan Forest hike and cookout with Roger Mays – Meet at 9 at the NCCF office at 3609 NC 24 (Ocean) in Newport for a fun walk along for forest service roads and Patsy Pond in Carteret County. After the hike, join folks for a cookout at the NC Coastal Federation Office. To make sure there is enough food, RSVP to Roger by email or call at 252 723-1612.

WHOLE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER: For those walkers around the Triangle who want to complete the challenge, Friends’ of the MST Jennifer Browndorf and Iwona Birk are hosting a series of hikes around Durham and Raleigh in September. These hikes begin and end with a trailhead litter pick up and are designed to help folks get the miles in and give back to the MST. More information can be found here.

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.

Fundraise to Support the MST

Commit to raise funds to help build, maintain, protect and promote the MST.

Raise $450 or more to receive a special personalized pottery mug handcrafted by Court Pernell, maker of our MST mugs.

1 – 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 also 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 45th Birthday Campaign copy. I can also send you photos from the trail or any logos you may need.

2 – Invite a business to become a trail partner.

Business donations are a big help in our efforts to build and maintain the trail. Right now, our corporate gifts have slowed significantly, and finding new corporate trail supporters is critical. If you have someone in mind, reach out to us and we can help make the pitch. See who supports the trail now.