Watercolor Backpacking Trip: October 7-9, 2023

Heidi Nisbett, an accomplished backpacker and talented artist, will guide you on a 3-day backpacking trip in Pisgah National Forest near John Rock and teach you the basics of watercolor painting and painting outdoors along the way. We've kept the mileage pretty low - around 15 miles total - to leave a couple hours each day for painting. You'll leave the trip with at least 2-3 finished paintings (and the materials you'll need to keep painting on your future hikes!), drawing inspiration from subjects including waterfalls and the beautiful fall foliage. This is a beginner-friendly trip, or a chance for more experienced backpackers to try something new! No prior painting experience is necessary.

This trip meets at 9am on Friday May 12 in Pisgah National Forest. Your guide will hand out your gear and food, go over necessary packing items, and discuss safety, weather, and logistics for the trip. She'll walk you through how to properly pack your pack, and may look in detail at the items you've packed to make sure you're not carrying too many extra items. Once everyone is packed, you'll head to the trailhead to start your hike! The trailhead is a short (~10 minute) drive from the meetup location. This is a basecamp-style trip, meaning you'll hike in to your campsite, then explore the area on a few day hikes, carrying just that day's essentials (food, water, layers, and paint supplies). The terrain will include waterfalls and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. October is peak fall foliage, too! Daily mileage ranges from 4-7 miles per day. Each day, participants will have the option to focus on more hiking or more painting, so the group may split up at some points. Hike generally finishes around lunchtime to early afternoon the last day.  Itinerary is subject to change based on a variety of factors, including weather, trail conditions, and participants needs and abilities.

For more information, check out our website: https://blueridgehikingco.com/overnights/JohnRockWatercolor_October2023