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I'm interested in feedback for trails that there are interesting sites along the way? Old cemeteries, abandoned mills, historic things, things that time forgot, etc.
Anyone have any recommendations for something different?
I like the cliffs at Raven Rock SP (not exactly "IN" the triangle though).
Lots of graves and old farm homesteads everywhere, although I cant think of one that I could describe at the moment....
Across the parking lot from the Company Mill trail at Umstead is the Loblolly trail...where there is a 100+ year old graveyard maybe 20 yards from the trailhead. Loblolly is a turn around trail; Company Mill is a (large) loop.
If you are for a long hike, about 10 miles (usually takes about 3-4 hours) I'd suggest doing both the Company Mill and Sycamore trails at Umstead. They are two loops that are each about 4 miles in diameter. You pass by two lakes, a small waterfall, the remnants of the old mill and it's just a really nice hike. I did once stop on a copperhead there though so just be on the lookout!
For a much quicker hike (though probably little further of a drive for you if you live in Wake County) that I really like is at Occaneechee Mountain Park in Hillsborough. The park includes a really cool overlook of an abandoned quarry that really looks like a cliff you'd see out in the west somewhere. There are a few "off the trail" baths that take you right to the edge (the "official" overlook is fenced in at the top). The whole mountain loop trail is just under 2 miles.
I'm interested in this topic - I've been to Umstead, Raven Ridge and Eno River but curious where else there is good hiking within an hours drive of Raleigh. I'll have to check out Occoneechee!
The pump station section of the Eno (accessible off Rivermont rd) has the remnants of the old pump station, Reservoir & dam works that provided water to Durham in the early nineteen-hundreds. It's pretty cool. And the Dunnegan trail has old gravesites from some of the Dunnegan family.
The Pump Station Trail is my local trail and the first thing that came to mind for this thread. In addition to a lot of ruins there is a great swimming hole just below the old pump station. The Rivermont Road access is the easiest way to access the old pump station, but for a longer hike, park by the bridge on Guess Road and hike west along the Laurel Bluffs Trail/MST to the Pump Station. Along the way are some old mill stones at the site of the old mill, the old tail race for the mill which the trail actually follows some, and the ruins of an old cabin, complete with rusted out water pump. There are also some bluffs with scenic views of the river and, in season, some pretty mountain laurel in bloom. Round trip from Guess Rd. to the Pump Station is about 5 miles.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jill7930
The pump station section of the Eno (accessible off Rivermont rd) has the remnants of the old pump station, Reservoir & dam works that provided water to Durham in the early nineteen-hundreds. It's pretty cool. And the Dunnegan trail has old gravesites from some of the Dunnegan family.
Eno Park has tons of stuff - you should sign up for their newsletter. They do guided hikes sometimes. Old building foundations, they actually fixed up the old mill on the property. And a lot of trails, so you would find something new & different for quite a while there. Eno River State Park | NC State Parks
While not as exciting as some of the others, a couple spots on the American Tobacco Trail go by some old tobacco barns.
Ellerbe Creek in Durham is mostly town, but by the museum it goes by the old brontosauras (sp?) & down in town is the Pearl Mill watershed. EXPLORE
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