This Land, Your Land

The threat of bear activity that closed several campgrounds near Mount Mitchell has abated and the recreation areas have reopened, the Forest Service said Monday.

The following were to reopen by the end of the day:

* Briar Bottom Campground.
* Black Mountain Campground.
* Neals Creek Road.
* Buncombe Horse Trail - from Forest Service Road 472 to the intersection the Big Tom Gap trail (TR 1918).
* Mt. Mitchell Trail - from Black Mountain Campground to Mt. Mitchell State Park.
* Mountain to Sea Trail - From N.C. 128 to Black Mountain Campground.
* Higgins Bald Trail (TR 1908).

Camping at Mount Mitchell State Park has been suspended at least through August 29 because of black bear activity, the state Division of Parks and Recreation said today.

Bears have been reported rummaging for food in the campground area, and similar activity has prompted the U.S. Forest Service to close campgrounds and trails in the adjacent Pisgah National Forest, a news release says.

The National Forest Service closed the Black Mountain Campground, Briar Bottom Group Campground, Forest Service Road 472 and Neals Creek Road today, and previously closed the Mount Mitchell Trail between Black Mountain Campground and Mount Mitchell State Park, and portions of the Buncombe Horse Trail and the Higgins Bald Trail.

The Mount Mitchell campground has nine tent-only sites.

Closing the campground will likely encourage bears to abandon the area to seek natural food sources, the state says.

Several state parks and forests could close next year to save the state money toward the $3.5 billion budget shortfall projected for the 2011-12 fiscal year, The News & Observer said today. Other parks could be closed three days of the week.

The proposal calls for closing Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in Ashe County, Singletary Lake State Park in Bladen County, Rendezvous Mountain Educational State Forest in Wilkes County, and Turnbull Creek Educational State Forest in Bladen County.

Other state parks would close on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, except for Carolina Beach, Chimney Rock, Fort Macon, Haw River, Jockey's Ridge and Mount Mitchell, which have contracts requiring them to remain open, according to The N&O, and Hammocks Beach and Umstead, which are impractical to close.

"The proposals are just the first step in what is likely to be a long and winding political path as the Democratic governor considers her options and then the new Republican legislature enacts a budget, probably some time next summer," Rob Christensen writes for The N&O. "But the options are the clearest indications yet that the lives of millions of North Carolinians will likely be touched by a new wave of austerity in state government that has not been seen since the Great Depression of the 1930s."

Singletary Lake State Park, which is set up as a camp for recognized nonprofit groups, has had 22,670 visitors this year through September, a 12 percent increase from last year, according to The Steward, the state parks' employee newsletter. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area's attendance figures, which are reported lumped with figures from New River State Park, show 291,012 visitors this year through September, up 30 percent from last year.

The Educational State Forests program is designed to teach the public - especially school children - about the forest environment with seven forests across the state that feature self-guided trails, exhibits, tree identification signs, a forest education center and a talking tree trail.

This weekend, October 8 and 9, is EarthShare North Carolina's fourth annual Campout! Carolina, an event to celebrate the state's environment.

"Those who participate are encouraged to pitch a tent in their backyard or favorite North Carolina campsite, turn off or unplug non-essential electrical items, and enjoy an evening outdoors with family and friends," the event website says. Last year, more than 5,500 people from across the state participated.

Campers who register with ESNC will be eligible for camping gear prizes from REI, and Dick's Sporting Goods is sponsoring a photo contest with a $50 gift card as a prize.

There are literally hundreds of camping opportunities on North Carolina's public recreation lands, including national parks, primitive and family camping in national forests, such as at Davidson River near Brevard; at state parks, like Mount Mitchell; plus at Corps of Engineer lakes and elsewhere.

For some musical entertianment during your weekend, consider the Shakori Hills Grassroots music festival in Silk Hope, which is a registered Campout! Carolina Happening.