Going the extra mile for conservation! Luke Bennett, a 22-year-old Durham native and cross-country runner, is embarking on a hike of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail to promote conservation, highlight NC wild places, and raise funds for NCWF. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a long-distance trail for hiking and backpacking, that traverses North Carolina from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks extending 1,175 miles. In addition to hiking from Jockey’s Ridge on the Outer banks to Clingman’s Dome in the Smokey Mountains, he will also paddle the Neuse River an additional 170 miles from Smithfield back to the coast.
Our South Wake Conservationists chapter has the opportunity to meet up with him when he passes through our area. We will meet him at 8:00 AM on Tues., April 12 at East Clayton Community Park in Clayton for a modest morning hike and then wish him well, as he continues his journey. We will, of course, bring him coffee and breakfast to fuel his journey.
Here are the legs of his 58-day journey on the MST, as he passes through Clayton, where we will meet him:
- April 11: Day 20: 27.0 Miles
Howell Woods M459.5 – East Clayton Community Park M486.5 - April 12: Day 21: 28.5 Miles
East Clayton Community Park M486.5 – River Bend Park M515
Let’s be there for Luke and cheer him on, as he passes through our area on this tremendous journey! Please register below.
South Wake Conservationists 