A lot of us forget about hiking during the sweaty-sticky-spider-web-collecting days of summer. Not Rod Broadbelt.
Since the 1990s, Rod has been leading a monthly marathon hike at Umstead State Park. His cool weather, fall/winter/spring hikes tend to be well attended. Come summer, though ... .
The turnoff from Company Mill to Sycamore Trail. (Yes, it's a winter picture. You think I'd go out in this sweltering weather to take a more seasonally appropriate shot?)
Yet Rod has never seen fit to curtail his hikes simply because it's a little ... close out. His one concession to the heat: Instead of hikes covering 20 miles or more he cuts 'em back to about half that. His next hike, this Saturday at 8 a.m., for example, will be 10 miles, taking in the Company Mill and Sycamore loops. (A great hike, fyi, regardless of season.) That hike, like most of his hikes, will meet in the parking lot off Harrison Avenue at I-40. He expects it to take four hours. Sound interesting but want some more info? Call Rod at 363-6611 before 7 p.m.
Also on the schedule:
Aug. 9, 11.5 miles all on blazed trails. (Meet at Visitor Center off Glenwood Avenue/U.S. 70).
Sept. 20, 12.5 miles.
Oct. 25, Approx 14 miles.
