Take a walk with PLC’s Slow Hikers Club! If you enjoy soaking in the scenery, savoring every step, stopping to take pictures, and admiring the smallest details along the trail, join our Slow Hikers Club! 

Join us for an interesting and semi-challenging hike along the Rueter Trail in Bethania to see one of the Piedmont’s only populations of Skunk Cabbage . Blooming in winter, and quite rare in our area, January is the best time to see these unique plants. Along the way, we’ll stop and chat about what we’re seeing.

The hike will be approximately 2 miles. From the parking area at the Bethania Visitors Center, we will have to start with a short hike along the road and then we will cut into the woods on the Rueter Trail. The trail is natural surface with some climbs and descents. Please note that getting to the view point for the skunk cabbage requires some off trail hiking which may include some stepping over branches and ducking under others. Additionally, skunk cabbage grow in in wetlands so you will need waterproof boots or be prepared for your feet to get wet!

This is one of the more challenging location for Slow Hikers Club. We will take it slow, but the off trail hiking, climbing over downed trees, and need for waterproof boots may not be for everyone. 

PLC’s Slow Hikers Club is led by Brianna, PLC’s Communications Director and naturalist in training, who is on a never-ending journey to discover and share the natural world. She loves the version of hiking that is about the journey and the joy of exploring nature at a slow pace. If you’re a casual walker, a plant enthusiast, a photographer, or someone who loves a good trail chat, the Slow Hikers Club is for you. 

This free outing is open to everyone, but space is limited to 20 participants.