Please complete and submit this form no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, February 17th to let us know if you're planning on joining us our bi-monthly chapter hike on Saturday, February 18h. We'll send a confirmation email by 7:00 pm on Friday to everyone who has signed up.
Join us for a seven mile hike from the Jordan Lake State Recreation Area's New Hope Overlook trailhead to the Everett Jordan Dam. We hiked the trails at New Hope Overlook last March. This year, we are going to start from the trailhead at the New Hope Overlook, 339 W. H. Jones Road, New Hill and take a detour down some service roads to the B. Everett Jordan Dam, 2080 Jordan Dam Road, Moncure, NC 27559. The Dam is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Approximate distance to New Hope Overlook from RDU Airport: 26 miles via NC-540W
Length and level of difficulty: This is an out-and-back hike that's approximately 7 miles and is rated easy.. The first and last third of a mile are on the blue and red trails and then we take service roads to the dam. We'll spend 20 - 30 minutes at the dam (see information about the dam below) before heading back to the New Hope Overlook trailhead. Approximate time to complete the hike is 3 hours.
Restroom facilities: There are restroom facilities at the New Hope Overlook trailhead and at the halfway point.
Picnic facilities: There are picnic facilities at both the trailhead and at the dam.
Directions to Trailhead: Travel to 339 W. H. Jones Road, New Hill, NC. Take a right at the park ranger station at the entrance to the park and travel to the parking area at the trailhead. Restrooms are in the building off the parking lot. Be sure to park in a designated parking space (they are sticklers about this).
Information about the B. Everett Jordan Dam: You may recall from our Saxapahaw/Haw River Hike last April, that Everett Jordan, who served in the US Senate from 1958 - 1973 owned the textile mill and was influential in reviving the Saxapahaw community. Jordan Lake and the dam are named in his honor.
Construction on the dam began in 1967 and reached "normal pool stage in February, 1982. Although its primary purpose is to prevent downstream flood damage, it serves as a major water supply for central North Carolina.
As always, bring water and dress for the weather. Please follow applicable COVID protocols and don't come if you have a fever or flu-like symptoms, or if you've been exposed in past 5 days to someone who is COVID-positive.
Feel free to bring friends or family members. Sorry: No dogs allowed.
