Autumn arrives a little quicker when you are at elevation. The leaves change earlier and don’t last quite as long, the morning chill is a little cooler, and the threat of snow is slightly more imminent. Things are moving right along in the high country, and as the crisp mornings turn to crisp days, its easy to start looking ahead to waxing your boards and breaking out your favorite chili recipe. Do not be so quick to pack up that warm weather gear and watch the skies for flakes, there is still plenty of time to get out and hit the trail before Old Man Winter rears his head.
If you can’t make it down to Chattanooga for one of the nation’s largest outdoor festivals, RiverRocks there are great trail running race options in the southern Blue Ridge. This weekend in Asheville is the River Bound race at the North Carolina Arboretum in the Bent Creek Experimental Forest, which is itself inside the Pisgah National Forest. This trail run will loop through the 434-acre public garden just off the Blue Ridge Parkway in one of the most scenic races in the Southeast. Even if you are not running, take the time to head out to the Arboretum and cheer on the participants and take in the setting. You will not be disappointed either way.
