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Renovated Emerald Outback Trails Open Now, Re-Opening Celebration to be Held June 6-7

By Marianne Minton

Calling all High Country outdoor enthusiasts!

After months of renovations, Beech Mountain is proud to present the grand re-opening of the Emerald Outback Trails with a fun-filled weekend celebration held June 6-7. All activities will begin each day by the Base Lot and Visitor’s Center on Beech Mountain, 403-A Beech Mountain Parkway, and will last from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Emerald Outback
www.emeraldoutback.com

As part of Beech Mountain’s Family Fun Month, the Emerald Outback Re-Opening Celebration will feature many free activities that visitors of all ages and skill levels will enjoy.

There will be an assortment of food and entertainment, including guided hike and bike rides, trail challenges with prizes, informational clinics and bike demos as well as both an obstacle course for children and kiddie bike corral to entertain the younger attendees.

Sponsors Magic Cycles and Boone Bike will be providing demo bikes to test out. Contests will be hosted, and a $150 gift certificate donated by Suspension Experts of Asheville will be up for grabs.

A post-ride party will be held on Saturday night beginning at 5 p.m. at Fast Eddie’s featuring a bonfire, live music and drink specials.

What’s new with the Emerald Outback Trails?

In case you didn’t know, the Emerald Outback is now an eight-mile, multi-purpose trail system winding up and down the slopes of scenic Beech Mountain.

Back in Fall 2014, the park underwent extensive renovations to improve its quality for the upcoming summer season. Safety location identification (LID) markers were installed, trail signage replaced, water drainage improved and trails widened to include a variety of paths and difficulties.

Beech Mountain Recreation Coordinator Sean Royall spoke about the renovations.

“We removed the majority of the old root systems to help smoothen out the trails and make them more easily accessible. We even formed a few new trails so that all ages, abilities and skill levels will be able to enjoy them,” Royall said.

New and improved, the Emerald Outback Trails are open year-round and are free to access at any time.

From June through September, Beech Mountain Resort also offers weekend chairlift access (with fee) to the Emerald Outback summit with additional trays to carry your bikes along too.

Royall also believes the Emerald Outback Trail System is an important asset to the developing outdoor community.

“The High Country biking community has been growing, and in the past, many of the trails have been hidden under the radar or were strictly for advanced riders. Having a public system open to everyone can reach out to new riders and only help this community grow,” said Royall.

Whether biking, hiking or simply taking time to relax, visiting the Emerald Outback Trails can be a great way to exercise both your body and mind while also enjoying the natural wonders of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Plus, when you decide to bring along family or friends for the adventure, it creates an authentic opportunity to interact and bond with each other, all distractions aside. Sometimes, simply breathing in that fresh, mountain air is the exact remedy you need from hectic moments in your daily life.

“Anytime the family can recreate together, I want to encourage them to do so. With trails like these, you can bring all age groups, pack a lunch and have a nice afternoon spending time bonding with the family outside,” Royall said.

As one of the highest trail parks east of the Rocky Mountains, Beech Mountain’s Emerald Outback Trails are a prime High Country destination that is not to be missed.

Venture out and enjoy the view!

For more information, including trail maps, check out www.emeraldoutback.com.

Emerald Outback
www.emeraldoutback.com