Elizabethtown – White Lake
Year of the Trail Weekend itinerary
February 17 – 19, 2023 

Friday, February 17, 2023

2 p.m.: Ribbon Cutting at the Mountain-to-Sea Trail at Turnbull State Educational Forest. Meet at 1:30pm in the Jones Lake State Park parking lot to take a short hike to the site. Register on Eventbrite.

3p.m. – 7p.m. :Check-in at the Trail Weekend Headquarters at the Cape Fear Farmers Market, 106 MLK Dr, Elizabethtown and then explore this quaint town filled with locally owned shop and great places to eat. Welcome, information on Saturday events, and information on DIY events.

5:30 p.m. “Inviting More Unity to the Outdoor Community and Beyond” – campfire conversations with Black Folks Camp Too founder Earl B. Hunter Jr at Cape Fear Farmers Market. 106 MLK Dr., Elizabethtown. Register on Eventbrite.

6:15 p.m.: Camp Fire Stories with Walter “Nubbins” Bullard, Cape Fear Farmers Market

6:30 p.m.: Night Hike at and Star Gazing, Cedar Loop Trail, Jones Lake State Park, 4117 NC 242, Elizabethtown. Register on Eventbrite.

8:30 p.m.: Music at Goldston’s Beach. Chad Thompson at Glass Bottom Lounge, at the Grand Regal.. 1879 White Lake Dr, White Lake.

Saturday, February 18, 2023

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Trail Weekend Headquarters is open. Vendors, information on Saturday events, information on DIY hikes. Cape Fear Farmers Market, 106 MLK Dr., Elizabethtown

10 a.m.: Hike at Jones Lake State Park on the 4-mile Bay Trail, 4117 NC 242, Elizabethtown.
Register on Eventbrite.

11 a.m.: Guided mountain bike ride at Browns Creek Nature Park and Bike Trail. There will be two rides – one for beginners and one for more advance riders. Must bring bike and helmet. Meet in lower parking lot at 1910 E. Broad Street, Elizabethtown. Register on Eventbrite

12:30 p.m.: Guided paddle on Jones Lake State Park. Ranger led paddle around this Carolina Bay 4117 NC 242, Elizabethtown. Space is limited. Register on Eventbrite.

1 p.m.: Do the Sandy Bear Shuffle at Sandy Ridge Campground and RV Resort. 4720 US-701N, Elizabethtown. Please stop in at the office to register. We’ll do the Sandy Bear Shuffle on a hike through our 600 acres. Easy trail to hike.

2 p.m.: Guided hike on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. Hike a portion of the MTS Trail from Jones Lake parking lot to Turnbull Creek Educational Forest. 4117 NC 242, Elizabethtown, Register on Eventbrite,

3 p.m.: Guided 3 mile hike at Bay Tree Lake State Natural Area. Hike this undeveloped State Natural Area with a ranger who knows which old roadbeds and game paths to follow to get to Bay Tree Lake. 11106 NC Hwy 41, Harrells, Register on Eventbrite.

3 p.m.: Guided hike at Singletary Lake State Park. Ranger led, 1 mile walk on the CCC loop. 6707 NC-53, Kelly. Meet at Educational Building. Register on Eventbrite.

4 p.m. – 8 p.m.  Trail Weekend Headquarters Moves to White Lake.
New location is Camp Clearwater, 2038 White Lake Drive, Elizabethtown.

4 p.m.: Guided hike on White Lake Multi-use path. Meet at parking lot across from the White Lake Water Park on NC 52.

5:30 – 7 p.m.: Mountain-to-Sea Fundraiser at Camp Clearwater. Join us for some Southern Comfort Cuisine and fellowship as we share our experiences in Mother Nature’s Playground. Try Brunswick Stew and Chicken and Pastry for $5 a cup.

6-9 p.m.  Live music – De Sofa Kings Band, Camp Clearwater

8:30 p.m.: Music at the Goldston’s Beach. Erik Hawks at Glass Bottom at the Grand Regal.. 1879 White Lake Dr, White Lake.

Sunday, February 19, 2023

Sunday is a do-it-yourself day. We will provide maps and route descriptions.  A “hike board” can be found at the Trail Weekend Headquarter so people interested in doing the same hikes could organize.
Scheduled activities include:
9 a.m. Bird Watching at Bay Tree Lake State Natural Area. Learn birding basics while helping the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission with its N.C. Bird Atlas census of birds and their habits. 11106 NC Hwy 41, Harrells.

1p.m.: Meet on Doc’s Deck for a guided walk through the vines at Lu Mil vineyard. 438 Suggs-Taylor Rd, Elizabethtown

Other suggestions:

• Paved trail around Greene’s Lake and Cape Fear Winery & Distillery. Park Entrance is at 337 Aviation Parkway, Elizabethtown
• Tour and hike at Harmony Hall National Historic site open from 1-4pm. 1615 River Rd, White Oak,
• 9 holes of disc golf at Tory Hole Park.275 N Poplar Sr, Elizabethtown