Thursday, December 7
Lake Catherine State Park
9:30 to 1:30 ish

Walk & Talk #1: “The Waiting Room” Walk & Talk at Slunger Creek Nature Trail
Distance 0.6 miles
Easy with little elevation change

We will meet at the Slunger Creek Trailhead between 9:15 and 9:30. “The Waiting Room” Walk & Talk will start promptly at 9:30. The trail is an easy walk of only 0.6 miles with no significant elevation change along a concrete pathway.

Walk & Talk #2: “The Waiting Room” Walk & Talk at Falls Branch Trail
We will drive the short distance to the Falls Branch Trailhead for Walk & Talk #2. It is a moderately difficult walk of about 2 miles. The first half of the trail has a small elevation change. The trail pathway is relatively smooth with a few rocky patches. The Falls Creek Falls is about halfway and should be very beautiful this time of year. We will pause at the Falls for lunch and some “Wait” time with nature.

There is a moderate elevation change on the second half of the walk as we transition from the streamside to the ridge. Randy Rowland will lead us as we switch to the Horseshoe Mountain Trail. The change in ecosystems will be evident especially when we reach the Novaculite Glade!

Note: Those not wanting to make the climb up the ridge can return to the Trailhead from the Falls Creek Falls.

What to Bring: Bring water, a light lunch/snack and a friend.

Directions: Directions to Lake Catherine State Park vary greatly depending on where you live. So, the best direction is to ask Google Maps and let the lady that lives in your phone tell you how to get there.

Slunger Creek Trailhead will be on your left shortly after entering the park.

Car Pool Info: For those that would like to carpool, Randy Rowland will meet you at Hood Plaza, corner of Carpenter Dam and Shady Grove Road Rds. Between 8:45 and 9:00. The group will leave Hood Plaza at 9:00 sharp.