There's nothing quite as exhilarating as spending a beautiful winter day on a pair of x-country skis in a snow-covered forest.  Don't know how to ski?  Not a problem.  On this 2-night, 2-day winter getaway you will learn from experienced instructors and they will help you navigate beginner and intermediate trails in New Germany State Park located in western Maryland.  You will be able to put your new skills into practice on day two of our winter wonderland weekend in the ancient hemlock forest of Cathedral State Park situated in West Virginia's beautiful Appalachian highlands.  No need to worry about pitching a tent at the end of the day - you will be warm and cozy staying at the historic Casselman Inn near New Germany State Park.  Pull on the new knitted hat you received from Aunt Sophie for Christmas and you are ready to roll (uh . . . bad choice of words) you are ready to SKI away into the woods!   Price:  $400   Difficulty Rating:  Suitable for beginners   (Photo courtesy of www.rivertrail.com)

When you head to the mountains this time of year you're never certain what season you will find and that's part of the excitement of hiking in early March.  Whatever Mother Nature blesses us with - North Carolina's Hanging Rock State Park will still be magnificent to explore.  With views of the Piedmont Plateau, we will hike to sheer cliffs and peaks of bare rock, quiet forests and cascading waterfalls without the crowds that spring and summer bring to this region.  If you're feeling a touch of cabin fever, then this 2-night, 2-day trip is the fever reducer you need!   Price: $210   Difficulty Rating: Moderate   The trips you led were so enjoyable and enlightening.  I was led to places I never would have gone to, and I learned so much about the outdoors. - Page, Wildside multi-adventurer - 2008

Reservations for this trip are due February 6, 2009

If you've had enough of an overcrowded and weary world, the islands of the Lower Keys are the place for you. The Lower Keys are the least developed of the Florida Keys and in many ways the most natural.  On this 2-night, 2-day trip, we will explore this tropical environment by kayaking off of Big Pine Key, snorkeling at Looe Key Reef, home to over 150 species of fish, and a one of a kind experience - swimming with a dolphin at Dolphin Research Center.  Wildlife abounds in the Lower Keys and it is common to see dolphin, rays, sharks, and an abundance of amazing bird life.  The Lower Keys are known for their natural setting and plentiful wildlife, and are the least touched by man's "progress".  Join us for a weekend of island hopping fun, sun, surf and stress-free living.   Price: $650   Difficulty Rating: All activities are suitable for beginners. 

Reservations for this trip are due February 6, 2009

MT. ROGERS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Backpacking
March 13-15

* BEGINNER'S TRIP *

The Iron Mountain Trail was part of the Appalachian Trail until 1972, when the A.T. was relocated to the south  The Iron Mountain Trail passes through luxuriant forest, generally following the mountain crest with superb views.  On this 1-night, 2-day backpacking trek through Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia we will hike 14 miles over moderate terrain - a great hike to introduce you to the joys of backpacking.   Price: $250   Difficulty Rating: Moderate  I had a great time in spite of the rain, it was an adventure since I had not backpacked in rainy/cold weather and I had wondered what it would be like.  I enjoyed meeting you all and I look forward to future Wildside Adventures. - Carolyn, Iron Mtn Trail-3-08

Reservations for this trip are due February 23, 2009

Early spring is a great time to treat yourself to a weekend in the woods.  The beauty of day hiking this time of year is unobstructed views by summer foliage, clear fresh air, and no bugs.  Leave your spring-cleaning behind and join us for this 2-night, 2-day adventure as we explore DuPont State Forest in North Carolina.  DuPont is well known for its waterfalls and it has as much falling water per square mile as any public land in the southeast.  Best of all, we will be able to appreciate their beauty without the crowds that visit this very popular forest.  The landscape of Bridal Veil Falls, Triple Falls, High Falls, and others will take your breath away - as will the vistas from Big Rock and Cedar Rock.  After an exhilarating day of hiking, we will enjoy the comfort of our cottage situated next to a cascading stream with a cozy fireplace to take the evening chill off.  We'll bring the hot drinks and the marshmallows; you bring your hiking boots and sense of adventure!   Price: $225   Difficulty Rating: Moderate. 

Reservations for this trip are due February 12, 2009

This workshop is designed for the woman who is ready to spread her wings and live self-sufficiently on the trail.  Everything you need to know to get a pack on your back and get out on the trail will be covered:  What gear you need and where to buy it (inexpensively), how to carry the least amount of weight AND still be prepared, how to plan trips, first-aid and safety, hands-on practice using gear and equipment, food and nutrition, reading maps, and so much more!  PLUS, we will work in some time to hike.  This 2-night, 2-day workshop will be held near Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area in southwest Virginia.  (You can put what you learn from this workshop into practice with one of the beginning backpacking trips scheduled for this year!)   Price: $210  Just a quick note to let you know how much  I enjoyed the Beginning Backpacking Workshop.  The organization the the weekend was excellent.  Trying on packs and touching and feeling the fabrics of socks, jackets, etc. was great.  Thanks again for a great weekend.  I'm looking forward to another "beginner level" adventure. - Sue, Backpacking Basics Workshop-4-08

GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Day Hiking - Wildflowers and More
April 3-5

We realize that the Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most visited parks in the country, but few people take the time to see it the way it should be seen - outside of their car and off the beaten path!  We are pleased to be working with two of the most informative guides in the Smokies and they have hiked thousands of miles through these mountains - it is quite literally "their back yard".  This 2-night, 2-day trip will focus on the incredible wildflowers in this beautiful National Park, and along the way you'll learn about the natural and human history of the Smokies in a fun and delightful way.  You'll hear Cherokee lore and maybe an Appalachian tall tale.  You'll learn what the Native Americans and Settlers did for food and medicine before there were grocery stores and pharmacies.  These day hikes will go deeper into the forest, cover more terrain, and take you into places those other visitors never see.  These hikes are geared towards enjoying the journey, using all of your senses to explore nature in a new way, and experiencing some of the most magical places in North America.   Price:  $400   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate  Thank you so much for making my first Wildside Adventure so momentous!  I had an exhilarating time, especially given the fact that two years ago I thought I might never walk normally again.  What you do is incredible, helping people reach their goals and potential, and for some of us our dreams.  - Jenny, Wildflower Hike-4/08

Reservations for this trip are due March 6, 2009

You probably think that there are very few secret places left on the Appalachian Trail, but we've found one stretch that somehow escaped notice.  The 8,900 acre James River Face Wilderness in central Virginia - one of the east's first designated wilderness areas, has remained so untrammeled it's a near miracle given the slideshow-quality views of the Blue Ridge, Allegheny Mountains, Peaks of Otter, and James River Gorge (which is crossed by a 625-foot pedestrian bridge, the A.T.'s longest).  This 5-night, 5-day trip will introduce you to this area with highlights like The Guillotine (a huge boulder suspended over the trail), and the Devils Marbleyard (8 acres of fractured quartzite boulders).  Join us for a great early spring hike with plenty of solitude just waiting for you.  Price:  $295   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate-Challenging

Combine soft red sandstone, rushing mountain streams, and a few million years of erosion, and the result is the fantastic formations of Kentucky's Red River Gorge Geologic Area.  Nestled within Daniel Boone National Forest, the area is decorated by more than 80 natural arches, hidden waterfalls, and rock "houses" (overhangs once used for shelter by the Shawnee tribe).  On this 3-night, 3-day trip we will day-hike each day and explore Back Arch, Rock Bridge, Hell's Kitchen,  Creation Falls, Angel Windows, Hidden Arch, and Natural Bridge (just to name a few of the natural wonders we will visit, and to tune your mind to daydream mode!)  This is a photographer's paradise not to be missed.   Price:  $330   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due March 23, 2009

It's springtime in Virginia and that means two things - wildflowers and hiking.  This 2-night, 2-day backpacking trip will give you the opportunity to do both.  The Shenandoah Mountain Trail may well be one of the easiest rambles to be taken in the mountains of western Virginia.  That's right -  a nearly level ridgeline trail that will give us plenty of time to stop and smell the wildflowers (sorry, no roses this trip) and lose ourselves in the thousands of azalea in bloom.  This trek will also include hiking in Ramsey's Draft Wilderness through vintage hemlocks and old growth forest with plenty of solitude.   Price:  $210 ($175 w/out lodging prior to the hike)   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

As though we have stepped into a chapter of Lord Of The Rings - we will trek through forests full of high and thick canopies of trees that create a "cathedral-like" atmosphere, mosses and ferns of every variety, small waterfalls and cascades and boulder strewn pools along the Middle Fork River.  On this 2-night, 2-day trip through the Cranberry Wilderness area of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, we will experience all this plus wide easy trails.  Truly an ideal hike for beginners as well as a magical experience!   Price:  $180   Difficulty Rating:  Easy-Moderate  Thank you for yet another great backpacking trip.  These trips mean so much to me and so many beautiful scenes are etched into my memory from all three I have done with you.  I will never forget our waterfall campsite and all the fern carpeted woods we walked through. - Kristin, Backpacking trip-5-08    

The southwestern corner of Utah offers some of the most fascinating and awe-inspiring landscapes in the desert southwest.  Towering cliffs and slick rock canyons with colorful spires and natural arches exist on a scale that dwarfs the works of humans and provides a humbling time scale by which to measure our own histories.  Half a billion years in the making , this land was laid down in seas and lakes and dunes, then thrust skyward to be sculpted by the ceaseless efforts of wind and water.  On this 9-day, 9-night trip, we will barely scratch the surface of this unique landscape, but we will do our best to explore this land of wild adventures, ancient myths and the most beautiful landscapes in the world.  We will spend our days day-hiking and exploring Bryce Canyon National Park (also known as "Hoodoo Country"), Zion National Park, "The Promised Land", Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Petrified Forest State Park, and finally, heading south into northern Arizona, we will hike in Vermillion Cliffs, Paria Canyon and Coyote Buttes, which includes  a very popular formation known as "The Wave", (a small ravine between eroded sandstone domes formed of amazingly beautiful rocks containing thin swirling strata in shades of pink/red/yellow and white - it is magnificent!  One day of this adventure will be spent canyoneering in Escalante, which will allow us to explore a canyon from within rather than from afar.  Dreams really do come true and we guarantee that you will be wide-awake in this one.   Price:  $1,900   Difficulty Rating:  Trails will vary from Easy-Challenging, and the canyoneering is suitable for Beginners

Reservations for this trip are due January 16, 2009

The Laurel Highlands Trail in southwestern Pennsylvania is a premier long-distance trail that rolls 70 miles across Laurel Ridge.  It ranks as one of the best in the state, and the nation, for its natural offering.  The Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail has won national recreation trail distinction and is part of the Potomac Heritage Trail.  On this 7-day, 7-night backpacking trip we will enjoy the following:  mixed woodlands, picturesque sandstone and limestone outcroppings, vistas, plant fossils, mountain laurel and rhododendron, meadow wildflowers, sparkling runs, and an abundance of wildlife.  At days end we will camp at Adirondack-style overnight shelters.  Join us as we hike this moderate trail end-to-end from the twisting Youghhigheny River to the beautiful Conemaugh Valley and take home an incredible experience among the Laurel Highlands.   Price:  $400   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due April 10, 2009

Mt. Rogers is Virginia's highest peak at 5,729 feet, and this 2-night, 2-day beginner's trip will take you to the summit as well as to Grayson Highlands State Park (which has been compared to the grasslands of Montana - speckled with magnificent rock outcroppings and blessed with plenty of sky).  The area is also home to several herds of feral ponies which are wild, but not shy!  Join us for this low mileage introduction to life on the Appalachian Trail in one of the most beautiful areas of southwest Virginia - you don't want to miss the sunrise over the highlands . . . it is incredible!   Price:  $220   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due May 8, 2009

New York's Catskill Mountains include one of the largest and most complex natural areas in the east - on par with the west's Yellowstone National Park.  Round, forested mountains; narrow, winding valleys; rushing streams and rivers are features that attract adventure seeking hikers to the 600,000 acres of the Catskill Park.  On this 5-day, 6-night backpacking trip we will hike in the North Valley region of the park through virgin old-growth forest and crystal clear cold rivers.  The Catskills offer world-class hiking on some of the most difficult hiking trails in the United States, but we will take the moderate route and enjoy the magic and adventure that the glaciers left behind during the ice age when they receded and created this majestic mountain range.   Price:  $535   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate  I'm still on a total high from the trip!  We've been to Denver, Cheyenne, Estes Park and the Rocky Mountain National Park, and now we're in Phoenix, but nothing compares with that day on that mountain.  That's what I'll be talking about when this trip is over!  When I get home I'm going to check my schedule and I hope to see you in September or October. - Cindy, Grandfather Mountain-6-08

Reservations for this trip are due May 1, 2009

GRAND CANYON OF THE EAST
Backpacking
June 12-16

Located in north-central Pennsylvania, Pine Creek Gorge cuts Pennsylvania's "Grand Canyon", locally known as the Grand Canyon of the East.  The West Rim Trail is a 30-mile trail that follows the west rim of Pine Creek Gorge.  On this 4-night, 4-day trek, we will explore this beautiful gorge that is framed by towering palisades and dramatic rock outcrops crowned with evergreen forests and cathedral-like hardwoods.  Numerous waterfalls cascade through the pristine glens.  Glacial ice covered this region about 11,000 years ago and its subsequent melting gouged the channel known as "Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon", which we will enjoy without the crowds that are drawn to the "big canyon" out west.   Price:  $375   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate   

Reservations for this trip are due May 8, 2009

The intercostal waterway on the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina is one of the premier sea kayaking destinations on the east coast.  On this 2-night, 2-day trip, we will be exploring the pristine shores of Bear Island, one of the oldest and most beautiful of the Barrier Islands.  Along the way we will encounter diversity of sea birds and marine life; such as the once endangered osprey hawk, the endangered loggerhead sea turtle, and the magical presence of the bottlenose dolphin!  We will also paddle to Cape Lookout National Seashore - a paddler's paradise.  Cape Lookout is a playground for the migrating humpback whale and a seasonal nesting site for the endangered Loggerhead Turtle.  Feral ponies also call this island home, as do egrets, great blue herons and brown pelicans.  You will definitely leave this weekend with a sense of harmony with nature and memories that will last a lifetime.   Price:  $440   Difficulty Rating:  Suitable for Beginners

Reservations for this trip are due May 5, 2009

What in the world is a Via Ferrata?  VIA stands for "very intense adventure".  "Ferrata" is Italian for "iron road".  A via ferrata is, basically, a long climbing route with permanently fixed cables for protection.  The Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata located in West Virginia is the first and only American designed and built via ferrata in the world.  It includes a 230' long, 150' high swinging footbridge (one of the longest such bridges in the country).  This 2-night, 2-day adventure (and we do mean  adventure) will introduce you to this unique form of rock climbing.  Steel cables, metal rings and bridges will make areas accessible to those without technical rock climbing skills, providing exhilarating views and exposure.  If that isn't enough excitement for one weekend, then just wait.  The second half of our adventurous weekend will find us hiking in Monongahela National Forest's Dolly Sods Wilderness.  This area of high elevation, wind-swept plains offers us sweeping vistas, flat rocky plains and upland bogs as well as fast-flowing mountain streams.  Wildside promises adventure, and this weekend we will deliver!   Price:  $325   Difficulty Rating:  Anyone who is fit enough to handle rugged trail hiking is capable of this climbing.  No prior rock climbing experience is needed.

Reservations for this trip are due May 29, 2009

BIG SOUTH FORK NATIONAL RECREATION AREA
Day Hiking / Backpacking
July 5-11

If you're not familiar with Big South Fork National Recreation Area in Tennessee and Kentucky, don't feel bad - a lot of people are not aware that this 100,000-acre park exists.  At Wildside Adventures, our goal is to not only take you to places on the beaten path, but to also introduce you to areas that are slightly off the beaten path.  300 million years ago this unique and diverse area was formed and on this 6-night, 6-day trip we will see the best that this incredible "playground" has to offer.  Surrounded by commanding bluffs and peaceful forests we will hike to waterfalls, rock shelters, and to two of the largest rock arches in the eastern United States within this prime wilderness country.  This trip may be broken into two trips if you can't spend the entire 6 days with us, but we think you will find it difficult to decide which half to take part in.   Price:  $560   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

July 5-8

The first 3 days and nights of this adventure will find us utilizing "indoor" lodging (that means no tents) as we day hike in the Tennessee portion of Big South Fork.  Highlights include: small arches, waterfalls, numerous rock shelters (one being the largest in the park), and twin rock arches all located in pine-hemlock-hardwood forests.   Price:  $375   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

July 8-11

The second half of the trip will leave some of the comforts of home behind as we load our backpacks and head to the Kentucky portion of Big South Fork and the Yahoo Falls area.  It isn't often you can witness a 113 foot waterfall from the top of it and underneath it!  But on this 3-night, 3-day trip you can and that's just the beginning.  We will cover 22 miles as we hike in the Kentucky section of the park.  Numerous rock shelters and natural sandstone arches will compliment the smaller waterfalls and crystal clear pools of this area.   Price:  $300   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

At every turn and bend in the trail, there will be something for us to be in awe of as we trek through one of the most interesting areas for outdoor recreation in the eastern United States.

Reservations for these trips are due May 29, 2009

APPALACHIAN TRAIL THRU-HIKE
Backpacking
July 19-30

From Springer Mountain, Georgia, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, we could walk 2,174 miles to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, but instead we will spend 11-nights and 10-days on the trail.  The fourth section of our ongoing thru-hike will find us continuing our hike for 120 miles as we leave the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and continue north into North Carolina.  We will get a taste of what thousands of thru-hikers experience, and enjoy it in all its beauty without all of the crowds.   Price:  $660   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate to Difficult  I want to thank you for a fabulous time!  I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed myself and meeting you and all the other amazing women.  We were truly blessed with great weather and spectacular views.  Take care and keep me updated on upcoming Wildside trips.  - Paula, AT Section Hike-9-08

Reservations for this trip are due June 1, 2009

LEHIGH GORGE
Whitewater Rafting / Biking
August 7-9

The Lehigh Valley Gorge in the western Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania is an outdoor enthusiast's Disneyland.  The spectacular gorge slices through the Pocono Plateau for nearly 35 miles, creating a dramatic landscape of steep, hemlock and rhododendron covered slopes, rocky escarpments, and side streams that surge into waterfalls.  On this 2-night, 2-day trip, we will see the best the gorge has to offer on land and on the water.  We will begin our adventure by biking the 25-mile Lehigh Valley Gorge Trail.  This converted rail-trail follows the Lehigh River all the way through Lehigh Gorge State Park and we will have the company of fantastic rock formations, tumbling waterfalls, and abundant wildlife, and have the opportunity to explore the ruined locks of the former Lehigh Valley canal and other relics of the early railroad era.  Whitewater rafting (Class II & III rapids) will give us a closer look at the river on a 10-mile trip that will pass historic Jim Thorpe, PA, before exiting the Lehigh River Gorge.   Price:  $275 ($295 includes bike rental)   Difficulty Rating:  Suitable for beginners   (photos courtesy of www.poconowhitewater.com)

Reservations for this trip are due July 3, 2009

CANYONEERING / DAY HIKING
August 7-9

How many times have you picked up an adventure magazine and seen a picture of some brave soul canyoneering in Utah, or one of those exotic places you thought you'd never be able to afford to go to, and said to  yourself, "I wish I was there".  Well, be careful what you wish for because now you have the opportunity to do so in the southeast!  This sport, which combines climbing, rappelling, rock jumping, water activities and a lot of boulder hopping has been popular in the southwest for a number of years, and given the fact that the southeast doesn't actually have canyons is not a problem.  Western North Carolina has gorges, which makes this experience even more incredible and far safer than in a canyon (no worries of flash floods).  On this 2-night, 2-day trip you will have the opportunity to explore areas you would think are inaccessible and learn new skills along the way.  Canyoneering isn't about exercise or competition.  It's about exploration.  On the second day of our truly "wildside" weekend we will day hike in beautiful DuPont State Forest.  DuPont is well known for its waterfalls and it has as much falling water per square mile as any public land in the southeast.  This exploration will be a little more on the mild side - the best of all worlds!.   Price:  $265   Difficulty Rating:  Suitable for Beginners - Participants should be in good physical shape.   (photo courtesy of www.pvadventures.com)

Reservations for this trip are due June 5, 2009

MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST
Backpacking
August 13-16

The Cranberry Wilderness area of Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia is the ideal setting for a late summer backpacking trip.  The forests in this area are mostly hardwood and have been left untouched since the early 1900s.  We will be hiking under thick canopies, and past mosses and ferns of every variety.  Small waterfalls, meandering rivers, cascades and boulder-strewn pools invite you to take a swim, or cool your feet after a day on the trail.  This 3-night, 3-day trip will not be nearly enough time to enjoy the solitude of this magical forest.   Price:  $225   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Panthertown Valley in North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest is considered by many to be the Yosemite of the East.  California’s Yosemite Valley is spectacular, but its cliffs will need to be worn by eons of erosion for it to attain the venerable appearance of Panthertown.  In comparison to the ecologically young Yosemite, Panthertown is an ancient place.  The valley floor is composed of rock formed 750 million years ago and the walls range from steep to sheer.  What lies in between are quiet, meandering streams with white sandbars, rocky creeks with waterfalls up to 90 feet high, incredible views, and rare and endangered plants (but no panthers).  On this 2-night, 2-day trip we will base camp on the valley floor and day hike through this incredibly beautiful and diverse area.  Since there is no official trail system in Panthertown, this will be one of those weekends when we will get out the map, compass, and GPS and explore like you’ve never explored before – truly a walk on the wild side!   Price: $190   Difficulty Rating: Moderate

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park (the "Porkies"), in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is one of the largest wilderness areas in the Midwest.  To the native Ojibwa people, the well-worn chain of mountains rising from the waters of Lake Superior reminded them of "kag", the woodland porcupine.  Join us for this 5-night, 5-day backpacking trip and experience the solitude of the park as we explore it's extensive tract of old-growth forest, striking ecologic formations, wildlife, waterfalls, and beautiful lakes whose waters rush through a series of rapids and waterfalls down deep-cut gorges to Lake Superior.  Leave the tents at home as we will spend our nights on the trail in primitive cabins in the mysterious and exciting, remote interior of this park.    Price:  $600   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due July 17, 2009

The sandstone cliffs of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore tower abruptly above Lake Superior in Michigan, with strange formations of caves, castles, chapels, sails and battleships.  Water and minerals paint bright pictures upon the cliffs, stimulating the imagination.  Sand dunes at the other end of the park sweep even higher against the sky, with a promise of distant vistas from their crests.  Between the cliffs and the dunes, wide sandy beaches stretch for miles along Lake Superior, with waves constantly washing rows of bright pebbles.  On this 5-night, 5-day trip, we will witness the lake's many moods.  We will begin our adventure by backpacking the 42 mile Lakeshore Trail as it stretches from one end of the park to the other as it follows the shoreline of Lake Superior, the largest fresh-water lake in the world and the deepest of the Great Lakes.  We will complete our trip by spending the day sea kayaking to rock cliffs, sea caves, arches, waterfalls, and incredibly clear water and beautiful beaches, experiencing another side of this incredible lake and park.  Pictured Rocks is more than scenery.  It is a battleground.  The arena for the on-going drama of natural forces interacting with one another.  This drama is played everywhere in the natural world, but nowhere is it more apparent than in this narrow strip of land along the south shore of Lake Superior, where land and sea are in direct confrontation.   Price:  $745   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due July 17, 2009

North Manitou Island in Michigan offers hikers the best wilderness experience in southern Michigan.  The island is not only isolated from the mainland and undeveloped, but it is preserved by the National Park Service as part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  The trails on North Manitou Island wind through impressive stands of maple and beech, through clearings that used to be farm fields, past serene Lake Manitou, and over open dunes.  Join us for this 3-night, 3-day trip for a hike along the dunes, great sunsets, and opportunities to explore old cemeteries, abandoned buildings and forgotten orchards.   Price:  $430    Difficulty Rating:  Easy-Moderate   

Reservations for this trip are due July 17, 2009

From Springer Mountain Georgia, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, we could walk 2,174 miles to Mt. Katahdin in Maine, but instead we will spend 6-nights and 6-days on the trail.  This fifth section of our ongoing thru-hike will find us continuing our hike for 63 miles as we leave North Carolina and enter Tennessee.  We will get a taste of what thousands of thru-hikers experience and enjoy it in all its beauty without all of the crowds.   Price:  $500    Difficulty Rating:  Moderate-Difficult

The Chesapeake Bay dominates the eastern coast of Virginia and on this 2-night, 2-day kayaking adventure we will paddle through some of it's beautiful waterways.  By sea kayak we will explore secluded tidal areas teeming with wildlife and breathtaking beauty with plenty of serenity and solitude.  We will also participate in the newest outdoor adventure sport called Geocaching, but with a twist - we will kayak to our hidden treasure.  With an abundance of waterfowl, warm breezes and the soothing rhythm of the water, you will quickly leave all your cares behind.   Price:  $460    Difficulty Rating:  Suitable for beginners 

Reservations for this trip are due August 3, 2009

Stepping into a grove of coastal redwoods has been likened to entering one of the world's great cathedrals.  Sure, the sense of holiness is comparable, but otherwise words and man-made construction have a way of coming up . . . well, short.  No cathedral in the world vaults 30-plus stories high, as the redwoods do, and no amount of ornate carving or stained glass windows can outdo a redwood forest for the flamboyance of the rhododendrons, ferns, mosses, and other greenery decorating its floor.  Imagine the space within a stand of old-growth redwoods where sounds are dampened to near silence, and only the dimmest rays of light penetrate.  At Redwood National and State Parks in California we will have the chance to meet the largest living organisms in the world firsthand.  Just when you think you've seen the biggest tree you've ever laid eyes upon, an even bigger specimen will appear around the corner.  350 feet is impossible to imagine - you have to see it to believe it.  On this 8-night, 8-day trip, we will not only walk amongst the giants, but we will also hike along coastal bluffs where gulls and sea lions cry amidst the sound of crashing breakers, and gray whales breach.  Of course a trip to the coast wouldn't be complete without spending time in the water.  The protected lagoons and bays are a crown jewel for kayakers as we paddle the tidal marshes, bird sanctuaries, ancient rocks and secluded beaches of the Pacific coast.  We have been advised to bring plenty of sore muscle cream to massage our necks at the end of the day (from looking up) and to practice hiking with our heads tilted back - we don't want to miss a thing on this trip - and we won't!   Price:  $1,500   Difficulty Rating:  Trails will vary from Easy-Challenging and all kayaking is suitable for beginners  (photo courtesy of National Park Service)   I had such a great time and boldly claimed this time in the woods one of my absolutely favorite times in my life.  Everything was absolutely adventurous, and being with you guys made it extraordinary.  Thank you for the tips, encouragement, acknowledgments, wonder, comfort, and sharing your resources (oatmeal, water, duct tape, etc.)  We were quite a team. - Elaine, Backpacking trip-10-08

Reservations for this trip are due July 3, 2009.

This workshop is designed for the beginner or experienced backpacker who dreams of a long distance hike -  be it 100 miles or all 2,168 miles of the Appalachian Trail.  Backpacking skills required for a long distance hike will be discussed and demonstrated by Melody Blaney, co-founder of Wildside Adventures for Women and a 1996 thru-hiker of the Appalachian Trail.  She will cover everything from purchasing gear to planning maildrops.  PLUS, we will work in some time to hike.  this 2-night, 2-day workshop will be held near Mt Rogers National Recreation Area in southwest Virginia.   Price:  $210  I learned so much and having the hands-on experience will certainly help me retain it.  I would like to join you for the July Long Distance Hike and will get back in touch when I have final arrangements made. - Joyce, Long Distance Hiking Workshop-10-08   

Every October, tens of millions of monarch butterflies unfurl their 4-inch wide wings to fly south in a showy parade of orange and gold that hardly makes a sound.  St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in northwest Florida serves as a rest stop for monarchs on their way to Mexico, and on this 2-night, 2-day wildlife viewing adventure we will be there to welcome them.  The refuge is also a well-known oasis of natural Florida habitats for wildlife: endangered loggerhead sea turtles, manatees, bald eagles, alligators and 300 species of birds.  We will spend time hiking in the refuge and visiting the historic St. Marks lighthouse on Apalachee Bay.  We will also explore the St. Marks River by kayak on a half-day eco-tour.  The St. Marks River flows through swampy terrain surrounded by cypress, magnolia, and palm.  This clear, blue-green river is ideal for viewing herons, egrets, turtles, otters, manatees and a variety of waterfowl and is a gentle, peaceful river to relax and enjoy.  We will also attend the Annual Monarch Butterfly Festival held at St. Marks, where we will learn more about the amazing migrating monarch butterflies and other north Florida butterflies; and attend a study on butterfly gardening.  As an added bonus to this wildlife weekend, we will volunteer to assist the Refuge officials in their annual butterfly-tagging program.  (We are as curious as you are - just HOW and WHERE do you tag a butterfly?  You'll have to join us for this incredible weekend to find out!)   Price: $515   Difficulty Rating:  Suitable for Beginner paddlers and the hiking is Easy–Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due August 17, 2009

CUMBERLAND FALLS STATE RESORT PARK
Day Hiking
October 30-November 1

Often called the "Niagara of the South", Cumberland Falls in southeastern Kentucky has one of the most awesome sights in not only Kentucky, but also in the world.  The beauty of Cumberland Falls draws visitors from everywhere to come see its grandeur and witness a "Moonbow".  Visible on moonlit evenings, the Moonbow is said to only be duplicated at Victoria Falls in Africa.  The Moonbow is only visible at certain times of the year and on this 2-night, 2-day trip we will not only have the privilege of witnessing this incredible phenomenon of nature, but we will also spend our days hiking amongst towering hemlocks, exploring the spectacular sandstone bluffs, and simply bonding with nature.  Lodging for this trip will be in a cottage at Cumberland Falls State Park.   Price:  $295   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due September 25, 2009

CHATTOOGA & FOOTHILLS TRAIL
Backpacking
November 5-8

Mention the name Chattooga and most people think of the world-famous whitewater river of that name in South Carolina.  But the Chattooga Trail is slowly gaining a legion of fans for equally impressive reasons:  high, rocky bluffs; the peace of hardwood forest; plentiful waterfalls - and all of it serenaded by that wild river.  The Chattooga Trail crosses some of South Carolina's finest wilderness and affords views of the river 600 feet below.  Side coves contain large hemlocks and white pines and numerous waterfalls.  The Foothills Trail will take us to pristine lakes and quiet glades.  This area also contains one of the most abundant black bear populations known in the southeast and one of the highest waterfalls in the eastern U.S.  Join us for this 3-night, 3-day trip and see the best hiking that South Carolina has to offer.   Price:  $350   Difficulty Rating:  Moderate

Reservations for this trip are due October 6, 2009

NORTHERN GEORGIA ADVENTURE
Tree Climbing/Day Hiking
November 13-18

Do you remember the fun and excitement of climbing trees when you were a child?  On this 3-night, 3-day adventure in the mountains of northern Georgia, we will help you relive that thrill without the risk involved now that you're a little older and wiser.  The first day of our adventure will find us learning tree climbing techniques (with the safety of a rope and harness), which will allow us to fully explore a tree and reach those higher branches that were always out of reach in our youth.  We will also day hike in one of the most spectacular canyons in the eastern U.S., Tallulah Gorge.  This two-mile long and 1,000 foot deep gorge has numerous falls just waiting for us to explore.  The adventure doesn't end at the bottom of the gorge - we will spend one night at Len Foote Hike Inn near Amicalola Falls State Park, which is home to Springer Mountain (the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail).  The Inn is most unique as it is only accessible by foot.  Join us for this beautiful fall hike and discover the beauty that the mountains of Georgia have to offer.   Price:  $485   Difficulty Rating:  Tree Climbing is for beginners; Hiking is Moderate to Strenuous   (Photo courtesy of www.dancingwithtrees.com)

Reservations for this trip are due September 25, 2009

PRE-HOLIDAY / END OF SEASON RETREAT
November 20-22

Before the rush of the holidays descends upon you, treat yourself to a weekend in the woods.  The beauty of day-hiking in late fall is unobstructed views by summer foliage, clear, fresh air, no bugs and relaxing in front of a warm, cozy fire at the end of the day.  We will be exploring Grayson Highlands State Park, in southwest Virginia, which has been compared to the grasslands of Montana - speckled with magnificent rock outcroppings and blessed with plenty of sky.  The area is also home to several herds of feral ponies, which are wild but not shy!  We will be day-hiking on the Appalachian Trail, as well as state park trails, to some of the most scenic areas in Virginia.  This weekend is also Wildside's final trip of the year and we plan to close it out in grand style - grand by Wildside standards - a cabin with all of the amenities!  Pack your wool mittens and hat, leave the holiday to-do list behind, and join us for this 2-night, 2-day adventure.  We'll bring the marshmallows!   Price:  $230    Difficulty Rating:  Moderate (depending on weather conditions)

Reservations for this trip are due by October 5, 2009

Parting Shot

Please Note:  Wildside Adventure trips and programs are updated on a continual basis.  If you don't see the kind of trip you're looking for, we'll be happy to set one up for you or your group!  Call us for rates and information.