Bear Creek hiking is in full gear this month.

   It started Sept. 1 with a walk at Reservoir Park in Southern Pines followed by a hike Thursday, Sept. 3 on the the Troy Nature Trail in Troy, which runs along Denson Creek. On Tuesday, the group walked the Bear Creek Trail in Robbins.

This Thursday, starting at 9 a.m., the urban hike/walk will be held in Southern Pines. Hikers are to meet at Weymouth Center parking lot on East Connecticut Avenue. They will start this outing with a walk/hike around the grounds of Weymouth Center before walking past the stables on Vermont and on to downtown So. Pines.

"We will visit a variety of shops -- River Jack, Nichols Pottery, the bookstores and gift shops -- before stopping to have lunch at the Ice Cream Parlor," Linda Koonce said. "We will return by way of East Connecticut and view the art at Campbell House before returning to our cars at the Weymouth Center parking lot."

Robbins residents are encouraged to car pool. Interested hikers can e-mail Koonce to register for this outing at (linda.koonce@gmail.com). This is an easy one. Car-poolers are asked to meet at Fidelity Bank parking lot at 8:15 a.m. Koonce is the hike leader.

The "House Rock" hike at Hanging Rock State Park takes place this Saturday at 8:45 a.m. It runs 5 to 6.5 miles (depending on hiker whims).

"We call this hike a 'whimsy hike' because we are going to have a few specific points of interest to visit," Koonce said. "Anything else we want to do or see will be at the 'whim' of the group involved.

"We will meet at Shoney's in Greensboro and caravan to the Old Gulford Mill. From there, we will make our way to Hanging Rock State Park to begin our hike at the visitor center then proceed up to House Rock via the Nature Trail. We may venture on another mile to Cook's Wall, a nice overlook with great views of Pilot Mountain.

"Other possible additions to our hike could be Window Falls, Upper Cascades and Lower Cascades. Bring a lunch and plenty of water. The degree of difficulty is moderate."

The Shoney's is at Interstate 40 and N.C. 68 (exit 210). To car pool from Robbins, hikers are asked to meet at Fidelity Bank at 7:30 a.m. They can call Cathy Hussey at 464-3679. The hike leader is Rebecca Causey.

Carthage hike is set for 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, at the Nick's Creek reservoir between Southern Pines and Carthage. It runs 7.3 miles or 2.2 miles.

"We will begin this hike at Nick's Creek just off Highway 22 and hike up to the Reservoir," she said. "Those who would like a shorter hike can join us at the Reservoir Park entrance at 6:30 and hike 2.2 miles around the reservoir -- a little something for everyone. The Nick's Creek and Reservoir Park trails are wide, well-groomed paths with gradual elevation changes that make for easy hiking."

Interested hikers are asked to call Neil Johnson at 585-1052 to register for this hike.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, an eight-mile hike on Rocky Knob in Virginia is planned. There are no steep climbs. Almost half of the hike is in the open with views of the surrounding mountains.

Hikers will meet at Shoney's in Greensboro (I-40/N.C. 68 at exit 210) at 7:30 a.m. To car pool from Robbins, meet at Fidelity Bank at 6:15 a.m. Anyone needing more information can call Cathy Hussey at 464-3679. Hubert Latan will be the hike leader.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, at 8:30 a.m., hikers will tramp the Pinehurst Greenway Trail. This is 5 miles or less. Hikers can meet at the trail access on Forrest Road or car pool from the Fidelity Bank, leaving at 7:30 a.m. Anyone interested in going can call Hussey, the hike leader, at 464-3679.

"We will begin our hike on Forrest Road, just off U.S. 15-501 and hike the Pinehurst Greenway," Koonce said. "Our walk will take us past the butterfly garden at the Fitness Center, through Cannon and Rassie Wicker parks, past the Carolina Hotel and end on Linden Road where it intersects Chicken Plant Road. Our hike may conclude with lunch at the deli in downtown Pinehurst for those interested in that fare."

Contact John Chappell at 783-5841 or by e-mail at jchappell@thepilot.com.