Birkhead Wilderness Loop Hike

It was my first foray into this area since the hunting season ended. You never know what you'll find. I have found some trashy places but it wasn't too bad today. There was just one campsite that needs some clean up. As usual, there is lots and lots of flagging - yellow, red, orange and pink striped.

Starting out at the new Tot Hill Road parking area, I walked in on the Birkhead Trail. Within minutes I crossed the new wood bridge over Talbott's Creek.

Once up on Cooler's Knob the trail splits with both routes blazed white and separated by only a few yards for about 3/4 of a mile. The original Joe Moffitt Uwharrie Trail follows an old two track and the Forest Service's Birkhead Trail winds as a nearby singletrack. The Singletrack is virually abandoned now and everyone has been using the old route.

There is a junction with a yellow blazed trail headed to Camp 3 to the left. The junction has evolved into a huge triangle. The old route is well worn and dips down a hill to a junction with the yellow blaze trail to the left, Birkhead Trail continuing right.

I followed the yellow blazes one mile to Camp 3. Just before reaching camp 3 the trail leaves the two track at a downed pine and heads right in the woods on a singletrack. Camp 3 is also the site of what appears to be an old mine. There is a nice rock housed spring here as well.

Following the yellow blazes, it is 1 mile to the junction with Birkhead Trail at Fairview camp. The trail passes several home sites along the way and dips in and out of Fern Valley and a pretty creek crossing. Watch for blazes here as it is easy to lose them. Once back at the Birkhead Trail, I walked left. It is 1.75 miles to a small side trail by an aluminum sign identifying it at the Christopher Bingham farm. Take this side trail to the left and stay in the old road bed until another aluminum sign directs you left to the Bingham Graveyard. Nearby is a nice campsite. Upon leaving the Graveyard, continue straight at the Aluminum sign. In a short distance you'll come to a 5 way intersection. Go to the right, but not the first little faint trail. Sounds confusing - it is - I took the wrong trail here and walk an extra 8/10 of a mile. You'll know you are on the correct trail when you come to a signed intersection for the Hannah Creek Trail. Follow it. You'll soon see an old Chimney on the left. From this point on, the trail is much less confusing and easy to follow. It is about 2 miles to an intersection that once had a sign. Just the signpost is left. To the left it is 1/2 mile to another parking area. To the right is Robin's Branch Trail. Robin's Branch Trail is just under 2 miles where it T's into Birkhead Trail. At this point turn left and you are headed back to Tot Hill Parking area in 2 miles. You do have to follow the white blazes especially when you reach that yellow blazed trail and the triangle junction I mentioned earlier.

Once back, you will have walked 12.2 miles.