In this Year of the Trail (YOTT) NC Trail Days Weekend Festival on Sat, May 13, the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources/Hometown Strong explores a number of hiking, biking, and paddling options in Sanford, just a half-hour south of the Triangle.

YOTT Trail Days Weekend Festival in Sanford – events

Sat, May 13: Paddle the Deep River 9am-10:30am, 11am-12pm
This 2.1-mile stretch of the Deep River is a mix of mild riffles and flat, moving water, making this an ideal paddle for first-timers (basic instruction will be provided at the put-in). Cape Fear River Adventures leads this trip 1.5-hour trip on the Deep River from the new 401 Access to Deep River Park and Camelback Bridge. This 2.1-mile run of the Deep is dubbed “Li’l Ripple,” for the ripple sections on this otherwise placid but moving stretch of river.

No boat, no problem: Cape Fear River Adventures will provide a boat, paddle, and pfd for $34 for a single kayak, and $49 for a tandem. Shuttle provided for paddlers with their own boat. Limited to 10 paddlers. Sign up you will be sent a link to reserve a boat with Cape Fear River Adventures. You will also be contacted to see if you just need a shuttle.

Sat, May 13, 11am-1pm Hike at White Pines Nature Preserve
White Pines Nature Preserve, at the confluence of the Deep and Rocky Rivers, has a variety of ecosystems including a hint of the mountains. The 5-mile hike will utilize 6 trails to explore as much of White Pines as possible, from the stands of white pines from which the preserve gets its name to a swampland more common to the coast. You’ll also see where school kids once crossed the Rocky River in a bucket to get to school, as well as some late-season spring ephemerals.