Randy Johnson
Clip: Special | 1m 50sVideo has Closed Captions
Photographer/author Randy Johnson helped build and manage Grandfather Mountain's trails.
Hiker, photographer and author Randy Johnson helped to build and manage Grandfather Mountain’s trails. He has written widely about the famous peak, including in his award-winning book “Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon.” Johnson believes that the only way to truly appreciate our natural environment is to get outside and experience it firsthand.
Ten to Try is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
The series was produced in partnership with the Great Trails State Coalition for the NC Year of the Trail and with generous support from the SECU Foundation.
Randy Johnson
Clip: Special | 1m 50sVideo has Closed Captions
Hiker, photographer and author Randy Johnson helped to build and manage Grandfather Mountain’s trails. He has written widely about the famous peak, including in his award-winning book “Grandfather Mountain: The History and Guide to an Appalachian Icon.” Johnson believes that the only way to truly appreciate our natural environment is to get outside and experience it firsthand.
How to Watch Ten to Try
Ten to Try is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Related to This Clip
[country music] - You can't appreciate the natural environment you live in or the one you have unless you get out and experience it.
If you don't do that, some people just lose their appreciation of nature and they lose an understanding of just how valuable it is.
[country music] I first discovered Grandfather in high school and early college when I was looking for the snowiest mountain in the entire southeast and I started coming here.
I fell in love with the place and the place has been a backdrop to my life.
[country music] Grandfather Mountain is definitely my favorite mountain and I kept coming back and one day I discovered a no trespassing sign.
The mountain had been closed to hiking because a hiker had died from hypothermia.
So I approached the private landowner and said, "Please, you can't close this mountain."
That's when I got involved.
I reopened the mountain's trails.
The management system that I put in place back in the 1970s kept operating until the state park took over in 2009.
[country music] [country music] Getting out into nature is therapeutic, but don't be intimidated.
Some people feel like they've gotta get out and climb the highest mountain, but you don't have to hike the Daniel Boone Scout Trail, you can start on easy trails.
And the good thing if you get out and start slow, your fitness level will increase.
So this is about mental health, mental inspiration, and physical fitness as well.
You just have to get started.
[country music]
Video has Closed Captions
Caitlin Gooch is a lifelong equestrian, literacy coach and founder of Saddle Up and Read. (1m 46s)
Video has Closed Captions
Cathy Meyer is a writer and naturalist who has walked the entire North Carolina shoreline. (1m 51s)
Daniel Boone Scout Trail, Grandfather Mountain
Video has Closed Captions
Try the Daniel Boone Scout Trail to hike to Grandfather Mountain’s iconic peak. (2m 23s)
Video has Closed Captions
Local river guide Heber Coltrain has been boating on the Roanoke River his whole life. (1m 42s)
Video has Closed Captions
Jennifer Michelle advocates for more women of color to explore outdoor spaces and trails. (1m 38s)
Video has Closed Captions
Hillsborough Mayor Jenn Weaver is a nature lover who values our public outdoor spaces. (1m 34s)
Video has Closed Captions
Charlotte native Kim Olige believes exercise can be an outlet to help kids learn and grow. (1m 46s)
Video has Closed Captions
Laura Blythe and Jeremy Hyatt ride Fire Mountain’s Spearfinger Trail whenever they can. (1m 44s)
Little Sugar Creek Greenway, Charlotte
Video has Closed Captions
Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Charlotte is wildly popular with outdoor lovers. (2m 12s)
Longleaf Pine Trail, Carvers Creek State Park
Video has Closed Captions
The Longleaf Pine Trail is a wide, flat and shaded multiuse trail perfect for equestrians. (2m 19s)
Occoneechee Speedway Trail, Hillsborough
Video has Closed Captions
The Occoneechee Speedway Trail offers a unique mix of nature, exercise and NASCAR history. (2m 14s)
Video has Closed Captions
Paula Gillikin is site manager of the Rachel Carson Reserve and paddles there regularly. (1m 42s)
Video has Closed Captions
North Carolina, “The Great Trails State,” offers unique trail experiences for everyone. (30s)
Rachel Carson Reserve Paddle Trail, Beaufort
Video has Closed Captions
The Rachel Carson Reserve Paddle Trail explores coastal waters teeming with wildlife. (2m 19s)
Video has Closed Captions
The Roanoke River Paddle Trail features 16 unique camping platforms for multiday trips. (2m 31s)
Spearfinger at Fire Mountain Trails
Video has Closed Captions
The Spearfinger Trail offers fun and flowy downhill mountain biking for all riding levels. (2m 27s)
Sugarloaf Trail, Carolina Beach State Park
Video has Closed Captions
Take a walk along the sandy paths, riverbanks and boardwalks of the Sugarloaf Trail. (2m 17s)
Three Waterfalls Hike, DuPont State Forest
Video has Closed Captions
The Three Waterfalls Hike at DuPont State Forest is a dream trail for waterfall chasers. (2m 23s)
Video has Closed Captions
The Piedmont’s 30-mile Uwharrie Trail can be tackled in sections or from end to end. (2m 11s)
Video has Closed Captions
Outdoor advocate Vivianette Ortiz Caraballo is the cofounder of a Latinx hiking club. (1m 35s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Ten to Try is a local public television program presented by PBS NC
The series was produced in partnership with the Great Trails State Coalition for the NC Year of the Trail and with generous support from the SECU Foundation.