Haw River
The Lower Haw River State Natural Area is a 1000+ acre tract on both sides of the Haw. It was purchased from Duke University. The state's brief description of the property refers to a 2 mile hiking trail on the east side of the river. Other hiking websites describe a 4.8 mile trail from the Bynum bridge to the US 64 bridge on the east side. I parked in the tiny parking area on Rt 64, east side of the bridge. I believe there is a larger parking area on the west side.Heading down to the river, trails lead in several directions but it is not difficult to locate the one which follows the riverside. It is obvious, due to the litter, this area is used for fishing. I found the trail definitive but not used much. Near the bridge you have to push your way through a reedy area. For much of the rest of the way, you are at the edge of the river in a flood plain. At several point you could see homes through the trees.
Spider Flower blooming Nov 1
About a mile in, there was a grouping of rock outcrops overlooking the river. I saw many very large pine trees, a few large cedars and one big holly. There was some recent beaver activity too.
There were two tributaries which formed ditches. I needed to walk up the creeks a short way to find a crossing spot. After the second of these, the trail was no longer visible. I meandered in the flood plain looking for any sign of the trail. Finally, I walked to the edge of the flood plain where the land begins sloping up. Here was the state's boundary and a pathway of sorts. I followed this a ways but turned around, probably just over 2 miles from the starting point.
Faint trail follows river
Haw River
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