Thank you for being an ROC supporter!

Check out our website for this month’s events, information on the ROC Race Series, local trails, and more.

Welcome to all of our new and returning ROC members and sponsors!

Merrit Tracy

Tammy Proctor-Harris

Fred Weisbecker

The support we receive from memberships helps us to continue improving local trails, lead group hikes and river floats, and create new outdoor programs. Membership is only $35 for individuals and families, and $100 for businesses. We also offer multiple sponsorship opportunities for businesses to help expand and enhance outdoor recreation in Rutherford County.

Members get discounts at Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park, Barley’s Taproom, Copper Penny, Main Street Coffee, The Scoop, and Grumpy’s Bike Shop! Grumpy’s is our newest local bike shop, located across the street from the ROC Office on W. Main St. in Spindale. Check them out for all your biking needs and great service!

Click the link below for more details about becoming a member.

ROC Monthly Meeting

When: August 19th at 5:30 p.m.

Where: Barley’s in Spindale

Sunset Hike at Bearwallow Mountain

When: Sat, August 9th at 7:30PM

Where: Carpool from ROC office (115 N Oak St., Spindale, NC)

Register: Click here!

“Beat the Heat” Lake Paddle at Lake Adger

As are all of our paddling events, this event is BYO-boat, paddles, and PFDs. Call the ROC office @ (828) 289-3260 or email trails@rutherfordoutdoor.org to inquire about gear available to borrow.

When: Thurs, August 28th @ 9AM

Where: Lake Adger, Mill Spring, NC

Register: Click here!

New River Accesses Open!

The new accesses are located at the US Hwy 221 bridge over the Broad River, and the US Hwy 221A bridge over the Broad River in Cliffside. Check out the Broad River Paddle Trail page below for how to get out there and enjoy the river this summer!

River Sweep of Sections 2 & 3

Join us for another Broad River Sweep!

We will be cleaning up sections 2 & 3 of the Broad River, from River Creek Campground to the River Rd access. This is a water-based clean-up on an 8 mile stretch of river that is narrow and rocky with a few fun Class I and II rapids!

Some paddling experience required. Please bring your own boat, paddle, and lifejacket (PFD), or call the ROC office @ (828) 289-3260 or email krcb@rutherfordoutdoor.org to inquire about borrowing gear. All litter sweep materials, including trash bags, gloves, and trash grabbers will be provided by ROC.

When: Saturday, August 23rd @ 9AM

Where: River Creek Campground to River Rd Access

Register: CLICK HERE by Wednesday, August 20th

River Sweep from Coxe to Poor’s Ford

Section 6 is beautiful but does have some tricky strainers and partial blockages. Each blockage is passable with some quick maneuvering and end when you reach the Green River confluence. We hope to see you getting outside on our beautiful river!

Thank you to all of these incredible volunteers for helping keep the Broad River clean and healthy for future generations! 🛶

State of the Broad River

Our final scout covered sections 7, 8, and 9 (Poor’s Ford Road to access 221). This section was clear of blockages, however, there are some hanging trees, but this section is pretty wide and there is ample room to paddle around. There are some rapids that require quick maneuverability. Debris from the hurricane included some metal roofing, tires, household debris and woody debris piles. Overall, this section was highly ‘paddlable’ requiring little hazard maneuverability.

Things to Keep in Mind: Water level affects hazard orientation, like strainers and/or hanging trees, or cause migration of underwater hazards, like sharp debris clouded by river depth and turbidity. It is advised to stay out of deep sections and inside your vessel as possible debris could be trapped underwater and difficult to see and avoid.

For a more in-depth look at each section please review and save this document: ROC Broad River Paddle Trail Quick Fact Sheet 

Have a report about your trip on the Broad River? Submit a report here, email info@rutherfordoutdoor.org, or call (828) 289-3260.

ROC, Conserving Carolina, the Carolina Climbers’ Coalition, Pisgah Area SORBA, and Tangled Bank Conservation on a huge workday at Weed Patch Mountain!

• Isothermal Community College Trails (open): the West trails have been brushed, leaving the trails wide and comfortable for use
• Dittmer-Watts Nature Trail Park (open): 5 trees were removed from various trails, making hiking and dog walking easier
• Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail (closed): 10 trees removed and a creek crossing restabilized
• Weed Patch Mountain Trail (closed): trees removed between 100 out of 280 trail markers! Accomplished with the help of Conserving Carolina, the Carolina Climbers’ Coalition, Pisgah Area SORBA, and Tangled Bank Conservation, with vehicles to access the trail provided by the Lake Lure Fire Department

ROC and volunteers at the newly improved creek crossing on the Buffalo Creek Park Loop Trail

Projects will vary by trail. Contact Maddie at trails@rutherfordoutdoor.org for more information or click here to register for a workday!

Dreaming Stone Arts and Ecology Summer Camp

Pollinator Garden

The pollinator garden now includes its own special volunteer team that maintains the garden daily, thank you Garden Waterer Volunteers!

Want to help with the pollinator garden? Stay tuned for upcoming workdays! Contact Daphne at krcb@rutherfordoutdoor.org for more information on how to help.

If you’d like to receive the Race Series Newsletter and stay in the loop, click here to automatically join the list. To volunteer with ROC at one of these races, contact Jerry at jerry@rutherfordoutdoor.org.

Rutherford Outdoor Coalition

PO Box 1349

Rutherfordton, NC 28139

 828-351-3235