About us
This group is for anyone interested in backpacking. ALL skills levels are WELCOME. This group is primarily overnight/multi-day backpacking adventures... with possibly some social gathering for members throughout the year \
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. We want everyone who attends our Meetup trips to have a great time! Of course, being sore will inevitably be part of it sometimes ;). So, to help ensure this, there are a couple “ground rules” to follow. \
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. - No drugs permitted on group trips. If anyone is found using these, they will be removed from the group. \
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- Act responsibly/Safety first. Do not put yourself, or others in danger while on group outings. \
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- Be respectful/Courteous. Everyone has different skill levels and/or methods. We all have lots to learn from, and teach others. We can do this in a polite, respectful manner. Acting in a belligerent way towards others will not be tolerated. \
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- Know your capability. Please do not sign up to attend trips that are outside your capability. While we only truly grow when we push ourselves past our “comfort zone”, you should understand which trips you can confidently push yourself to handle, and which ones you should pass on until another time...
- Use and keep your RSVP current. Some trips have a size limit. If you sign up for a trip and for whatever reason cannot make it, please update your RSVP so people on the waitlist can join/attend. No shows on trips may not affect you, but they affect the group, so please keep your RSVP’s current.
There will be trips through out the year of various intensities for different skill levels. The host will give a brief description of each trip and the level of intensity.
ADVANCED/STRENUOUS Trips: These more advanced trips will typically require the host speaking with each of you about the demands of the route.
Let's Have Fun ! So grab your gear, sign up, and let’s hit the trail !!
Upcoming events
3
Table Rock to Shortoff - One-Night Backpack Linville Gorge Wilderness
Food Lion, 120 Bost Rd, Morganton, NC, USJoin us for a one-night backpack along the rim of the scenic Linville Gorge. We’ll start at the Table Rock Trailhead (actually, at a gate 1.5 miles before the trailhead), hike through the unique Chimneys, and continue along the rocky rim of the Gorge until we reach our camp spot on the southern end of Shortoff Mountain. On Sunday we’ll return via the same route.
The trail is moderately technical at times plus some slick rock surfaces, so I’d recommend hiking poles. We’ll try to keep a moderate pace of about 30-35 minutes a mile uphill and 25-30 min/mile on flat and downhill. We add in time for stops to catch our breath or to take in the views. Faster than that? No problem, just make sure you know where you’re going. Slower than that but want to come along? Make sure you’re able to navigate yourself and come along with us!
Hike Level – Intermediate -- typically hiked at 30-35 minutes/mile uphill & 25-30 mins/mile downhill
Itinerary:
Saturday, March 21, 2026 - We’ll meet at the Food Lion at 120 Bost Road in Morganton at 8:30 am and carpool together to our trailhead. We can't reach the Table Rock parking area this time of year. So we will park along the dirt road prior to where the pavement starts. (This adds 1.5 miles & 1,000' of climb on Saturday and is included in our 8-mile estimate.) From Food Lion in Google Maps type in “Table Rock Summit Trail, Old Table Rock Road, Morganton, NC.”We’ll start our hike at the gate about 1.5 miles before the Table Rock Trailhead - (in the FarOut App MST Segment 4 mile marker 226.8) and hike to our campspot south of the peak of ShortOff Mountain at approximately mile marker 221.3. Our elevation for our winter camp will be 3,000’. Total for the day 8 miles, 1,700’ Accumulated Elevation Gain and 700’ loss.
Sunday, March 22 - We’ll return via the same route for 8 miles, 700’ AEGain and 1,700’ AELoss.
Water:
Water has been a challenge of late at Linville Gorge. In the past we’ve filtered water from the magical Water Tree (at MST milemarker 221.5 in FarOut App) and equally beautiful Dwellers Gulp (at MST mile marker 222.2) both near our camp. On September 29, 2025, at both of those trees, water was collecting in clean but still pools with very little active flow. There’s another source that we’ll pass on our way to camp but we’d have to carry water for a ways. All hikers will need to bring bottles/bladders able to hold enough water for dinner, breakfast and the hike out (2 liters? 3??) no matter from which source we’re able to collect water.Disclaimers:
- Know your abilities. This is a moderate hike typically hiked at 30-35 minutes/mile uphill
- We do not wait at trail intersections. Be prepared by having a map (or map app) and studying the route. Each mile or two we tend to wait 3-5 minutes for folks to re-group, but we don't wait too much more than that. Be prepared to navigate yourself.
- Hike organizers are in no way responsible for you, your health, or safety. By attending this event you acknowledge that the organizers assume no liability for you or your gear.
You can find a description and .gpx track of our hike at Gaia Shortoff Mountain via Table Rock
Here you can find information from the US Forest Service on Linville Gorge Wilderness Area. [Info needed for future trips: Permits are required to camp in Linville Gorge on weekends and holidays May through October.] Our trip this time is in March, so no permit needed.
Here is a Linville Gorge Guide.
Please come along for the dramatic beauty.
10 attendees
Women's Beginner Friendly Backpacking - UNF One Night (Dutchman's Creek Loop)
24/27 (Woodrun) Trailhead, 4176 NC-24, Mt Gilead, NC 27306, Mount Gilead, NC, USUwharrie National Forest one night trip to backpack the Uwharrie and Dutchman’s Creek Loop.
We will meet at the NC 24/27 Trailhead (link to google map) Saturday morning. We will start the morning with a pack "shakedown". If you are unfamiliar this it is just taking a look at what you have packed and how. It's a chance for newer backpackers to get some tips on how to pack their backpack. Once we are all ready to go we will head out and hike ~6 miles in to our campsite. Sunday morning we will finish the loop with a ~5.3 mile hike out.
Expected average pace for this hike to be around 2 mph. **If you know that you cannot currently hike with a full pack at that pace please reach out to me for ideas on how to condition yourself to prepare**.
If you need tips on packing check out the list from REI . If you have specific questions or concerns please don't hesitate to reach out and ask. I do have limited gear that I can loan out (one tent, one sleeping bag, one inflatable sleeping pad, one backpack). If you want to borrow anything from me please let me know so I can bring it with me.
If you need to talk through anything in preparation let me know that as well. I am happyu to chat or we can do a virtual meet ahead of time if several would find that beneficial.
Standard Notice, Disclaimer:
Meetup organizers/ leaders are not guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. You are solely responsible for you own safety and well-being. By signing up for this and/or attending this Meetup event, you acknowledge, understand, accept, and agree that hiking and other activities can be dangerous and can cause serious bodily injury and possible death. The organizers of this group and current and former members can not be held responsible or liable in any way for the actions of any participant-including you- at ant event. All attendees participate at an event at their own risk and are solely responsible for any damage to their property, and/or any injury to themselves or their guests. By signing up for this event, you affirm that you understand this disclaimer and that you knowingly and voluntarily agree not to bring any type of a claim arising out of or related to this Meetup event against the organizers of this Meetup group.3 attendees
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