Every year, the Carolina Geological Society organizes an Annual Field Trip that turns the great outdoors into a classroom. Each trip focuses on a unique geological area, where participants can see textbook concepts come alive in the field. Held on a Fall weekend, the adventure is typically led by one or more professional geologists (or advanced graduate students) who share their expertise and stories from studying the rocks, formations, and history of that region. It’s an educational experience packed with hands-on learning, exploration, and plenty of fun along the way!
The general itinerary each year, which includes our yearly membership meeting, starts with a Welcome Reception, Registration, CGS Member Meeting and Dinner. This is followed by an all-day Field Trip on Saturday and a half-day Field Trip on Sunday.
CGS 2025 Field Trip & Member Meeting
Nov 7th thru 9th, 2025 – Morganton, NC
River and Topographic Evolution in Western North Carolina:
Evidence from Linville Gorge and the Laurel Creek Lineament
Spruce Pine, NC
Our 2025 Trip will be an exciting and unique adventure lead by
Brad Johnson (Davidson College) and Jackie Langille (University of Carolina at Asheville)
Field Trip Description
We will be focusing on the Blue Ridge, over three, very different time scales. First, we’ll examine the impacts of Helene on fluvial systems and hillslopes in the Wilson Creek area. Then we’ll look at Quaternary stream capture along the Linville River, including downstream impacts. Lastly, we’ll look at linear fracture systems associated with Cenozoic topographic rejuvenation in the Spruce Pine area.
Friday Evening
Welcome, networking and registration will take place, followed by a delicious dinner buffet (vegetarian friendly) at the Morganton Community House. This will follow with the Annual CGS Member meeting and Field Trip overview and discussion. We plan to close the evening around 8pm.
Saturday – Full Day Trip
Helene had significant impacts on geomorphic systems in Western North Carolina. Within the Wilson Creek Drainage, we’ll look at debris flows, landslides, and flood impacts from the storm. Our focus will be on preliminary data collection from undergraduate researchers at Davidson College in the year following the storm.
In the afternoon, we’ll climb the escarpment and examine evidence for stream capture along the Linville River including stops at Camp Creek, Brushy Creek, and the Linville River.
Physical requirements:Opportunities to explore will be provided in the Wilson Creek area but participants may choose to observe the impacts of Helene as close to the bus as they would like. Any other walking would be on a dirt road on flat ground. The Camp Creek and Brushy Creek stops requires no walking. There may be an optional hike (~2 miles) to Linville Falls but that will depend on time.
Sunday – Half Day Trip
Visit to one of the QuartzCorp quarries in Spruce Pine to observe joints and faults of the Laurel Creek Lineament.
IMPORTANT: Participants will walk ~0.5 mile along a gravel road into a quarry. All participants must wear hard hats, pants, and closed-toe shoes. These are NOT provided by CGS or the quarry.
2025 Pricing & Registration
Please note, non-members pay a higher price to offset the cost of registration processing.
If you plan to attend the Meeting and Field Trip join the Carolina Geological Society BEFORE registering to save money!
Friday Dinner & Meeting are INCLUDED for all participants if they are also attending the Field Trip.
MEMBERS
(dues paid through Nov 2025)
Friday dinner & activities ONLY – $30
Saturday Field Trip – $130
Sunday Field Trip – $100
Guidebook – $25
NON-MEMBERS
(dues paid through Nov 2025)
Friday dinner & activities ONLY – $30
Saturday Field Trip – $160
Sunday Field Trip – $130
Guidebook – $25
*QUALIFYING DISCOUNT RATE
(dues paid through Nov 2025)
Friday dinner & activities ONLY – $20
Saturday Field Trip – $60
Sunday Field Trip – $45
Guidebook – $25
*Discounted rate is offered to all active students (Middle School, High School & College), active High School earth science educators and retirees.
Current members can add ONE non-member guest at the member rate when registering.
If adding or renewing membership, choose the Member Registration option below and add membership as part of the registration process.
By registering, participants agree to the Carolina Geological Society Code of Conduct.
Accommodations
The Fairfield Inn and Suites Morganton – Historic Downtown at 400 N. Green St. will be this year’s CGS headquarters for trip departures and an easy walk to Friday evening’s activities. For your convenience, a LIMITED number of rooms have been held for Nov 7-9 at a REDUCED rate of $189/night, if reservations are made by 9/20/2025 and if rooms in the block remain! Please contact the hotel directly for all reservation related questions.
Two ways to reserve rooms:
Call 818-608-0900 and ask for the Carolina Geological Society group rate
or
Book online this link: CGS Weekend Special Rate
Several other hotels are within a few miles of downtown Morganton. Parking will be available near the Morganton Community House and departure point for the field trip.
Book ASAP because this weekend is still part of the tourist season for
viewing the beautiful fall colors!
Parking
Parking at the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Morganton is available for overnight guests only.
For free public parking options nearby, please visit
https://www.morgantonnc.gov/main-street/page/parking-downtown.
For Friday night’s dinner and business meeting, public parking is available across the intersection of Queen Street and N King Street, diagonally across from the Morganton Community House. The Fairfield Inn & Suites is a 8-12 minute walk from the Morganton.
View on Google Maps
Detailed Itinerary
Nov 7th – Friday Evening
Dinner, Registration and Meeting at Morganton Community House
(parking available or walk from hotel)
5:00 pm – Registration opens (use N. King Street Entrance )
6:15 pm – Dinner buffet opens
6:45 pm – CGS Annual Meeting (30 mins)
7:15 pm – Field trip overview & discussion
8:00 pm – Close of Friday events
Nov 8th – Saturday in the Field
Full Day visiting Wilson Creek in the morning, followed by Camp Creek, Brushy Creek and the Linville River in the afternoon
7:45am – Buses start loading in the parking lot of Fairfield Inn & Suites in Morganton.
8:00am – Departure – Please be on time
6:00 pm – Approximate time bus returns to Fairfield Inn & Suites.
Nov 9th – Sunday AM in the Field
Half Day visiting one of the QuartzCorp quarries in Spruce Pine to observe joints and faults of the Laurel Creek Lineament
7:45am – Buses start loading in the parking lot of Fairfield Inn & Suites in Morganton.
8:00am – Departure – Please be on time
12:00 pm – Approximate time bus returns to Fairfield Inn & Suites.