My morning hike along Robbin's Branch in the Birkhead Wilderness of the Uwharrie National Forest was a chilly one. There is a trail bearing the Robbin's Branch name but it follows the creek for only a short distance. At the point where Thornburg Trail reaches the Robbin's Branch Trail, there are a series of 3 rock walls across a draw. They are only 100 feet across and perhaps a hundred feet from one another. I assume these were used to hold water. We had over two inches of rain during the past three days, but there wasn't a hint of wetness behind these walls. Perhaps when this was cleared and used for farming/grazing, there was a different dynamic going on. Or perhaps these walls have some other purpose.
From the point I followed the creek downstream. There was no trail but it was a easy walk. The most striking feature of this area was the carpet of ferns. Nearby, another valley wears the name "Fern Valley" but this was truly a fern valley. About a half mile downstream I located an old road and followed it to the Hannah Creek Trail. Continuing along the creek, Robbin's Branch enters Hannah Creek a short distance after crossing the trail. The creek is a bit more difficult to follow here as it cuts a deeper valley. Finally I got to the point where Cooper Mountain Trail fords the creek. Just a hundred yards to the left up the trail is Cooper Mountain Cemetery. I've visited here a dozen times before but never realized there was a marked grave here. Someone had uncovered Sterling Cooper's metal plaque laying a few inches down in the ground.
