Neusiok Trail - 50th Anniversary Celebration
Activity: 50th Anniversary Celebration of the opening of the Neusiok Hiking Trail in the Croatan National Forest located in Eastern North Carolina.
Date: Saturday September 30, 2023
Time: Varies by event, see event descriptions below
Hike Locations: Varies by hike, see hike descriptions below
Trail Hike Registration Deadline: September 10, Links below
Free Lunch Location: Newport NC Community Park at 200 Howard Blvd.
Free Lunch Registration Deadline: September 10, Link below
The Carteret County Wildlife Club with its partners the US Forest Service, the NC Division of Parks and Recreation, and the Friends of the Mountains to Sea Trail will host a 50th anniversary celebration commemorating the building and inauguration of the Neusiok Hiking Trail through The Croatan National Forest in Eastern North Carolina.
This half-day event will include three optional, biologist guided morning hikes on the trail, mid-day VIP presentations starting at 11:30 AM about the Neusiok trail and a free catered lunch at 12:15 PM.
The easy, informative guided hikes will feature descriptions of the trail fauna and flora. Based upon your interest you may register for your choice of one of the hikes. Attendance is limited and you must register by the deadline.
The free catered lunch offers the option of Vegetarian or Carolina BBQ from Moore's Olde Tyme Barbeque.
Donations to the Carteret County Wildlife Club are greatly appreciated and will be accepted onsite. We look forward to seeing you at this golden anniversary event.
Guided hikes on the Neusiok Trail: (select one as desired)
7:45 AM – Forest Habitats. Hike with Manley Fuller, Wildlife and Conservation Biologist with the NC Wildlife Federation to learn about the different forest habitats. This 2.5 mile hike will be a great way to explore the Neusiok Trail.
You'll walk through pine and mixed hardwood forest, over wooded swamp, through cane breaks and along brackish and freshwater marsh. Look for fall wildflowers, migrating birds, and learn about the different forest habitats.
Meet at the gravel parking area where Neusiok Trail crosses NC 306. From Havelock head east on NC 101 5.3 miles to Ferry Road (NC 306). Turn left and drive 2 miles. The Neusiok Trail crosses NC 306 here. Park in the gravel lot on the right.
The trail is easy to moderate. A few spots could be a little wet depending on weather, so wear good walking shoes. The trail in September might have some biting insects, hot weather, and uneven footing, so dress appropriately. The walk will be one way with a shuttle service. You will finish the walk in plenty of time to attend the Neusiok Trail 50th Anniversary Celebration in Newport at 11:30am.
Dogs/pets are not encouraged.
Walks are limited to 14 people. If you need to cancel after you register, please contact Sherri Seagroves at sseagroves@mountainstoseatrail.org
Carteret County Wildlife Club member Mike Barnthouse will host the trail walk. Contact Mike at sea_clusion@hotmail.com or 252-671-0561 for more information
8:15 AM – Forest Habitats. Hike with Deanna Noble, Wildlife Conservation Biologist NC with the Wildlife Resources Commission to learn about the different forest habitats. This 2.5 mile hike will be a great way to explore the Neusiok Trail.
You'll walk through pine and mixed hardwood forest, over wooded swamp, through cane breaks and along brackish and fresh water marsh. Look for fall wildflowers, migrating birds, and learn about the different forest habitats
Meet at the end of Forest Service Road 3046A. From Havelock, turn onto NC 101 and go 5.3 miles to Ferry Road (NC 306). Go 2.5 miles then turn left onto Hope Road (FS road 3046). Hope road is gravel. FS Road 3046A is the next gravel road on the left. Go to the end of the road about ½ mile.
The trail is easy to moderate. A few spots could be a little wet depending on weather, so wear good walking shoes. The trail in September might have some biting insects, hot weather, and uneven footing, so dress appropriately. The walk will be one way with a shuttle service. You will finish the walk in plenty of time to attend the Neusiok Trail 50th Anniversary Celebration in Newport at 11:30am.
Dogs/pets are not encouraged.
Walks are limited to 14 people. If you need to cancel after you register, please contact Sherri Seagroves at sseagroves@mountainstoseatrail.org
Carteret County Wildlife Club member Perry Smith will host the trail walk. Contact Perry at pksmith_123@yahoo.com or 252-241-4585
9:15 AM – Climate Change. Hike with John Altman, Coastal Ecologist with the Cape Lookout National Seashore, to explore the evolving environmental impacts upon the trail. This 1.5 mile walk will be a great way to explore the Neusiok Trail.
You'll walk on flat and slightly hilly forest trail through mostly upland pine forest along brackish and freshwater marsh. The walk will highlight the visible effects from sea level rise on the NC Coast as the trail meanders along Mill Creek. There’s also a good chance of spotting a few shorebirds!
Meet at the south end of Forest Service Road 181, Oyster Point. From Newport, NC, from Chatham St. turn north on Market St. Follow Market St. to Mill Creek Road. (SR 1154). Go 7.1 miles to Oyster Point Road (FR 181). Turn right for one mile.
The trail is easy to moderate. A few spots could be a little wet depending on weather, so wear good walking shoes. The trail in September might have some biting insects, hot weather, and uneven footing, so dress appropriately. The walk will be one way with a shuttle service. You will finish the walk in plenty of time to attend the Neusiok Trail 50th Anniversary Celebration in Newport NC at 11:30am.
Dogs/pets are not encouraged.
Limited to 14 people. If you need to cancel after registering, please contact Sherri Seagroves with the MST at sseagroves@mountainstoseatrail.org
Carteret County Wildlife Club member Rick Davis will host the trail walk. Contact Rick at rickdavis@nc.rr.com or 919-922-1241
Overview
Fifty three years ago the US Forest Service agreed with the Carteret County Wildlife Club trail building proposal and authorized them to build a hiking trail in the Croatan National Forest from the Newport River at Duncan Landing to Pine Cliff on the Neuse River. In 1973 the nearly 23-mile trail was opened to hikers. It transits through many interesting types of forest and savannah and is the longest hiking trail in the North Carolina Coastal Plain. The Neusiok Trail has been adopted as a regional segment of the 900-mile North Carolina Mountains to Sea Trail administered by the NC Division of Parks and Recreation.