The trail ends at the lake where the Durham-Duncan rail line used to cross New Hope Creek. Across the lake was the terminus of Eagle Spur Trail.
It was a nice view from here, but a kayaker was birdwatching in the nude.
Giving the kayaker some privacy, I back to the mainland part.
Although an unofficial trail, the old rail line made a trail across Mason Point that I followed for several miles.
On one side of the trail, a prescribed burn had recently been performed.
There were a lot of lizard's tail blooming in the swampy area along the trail.
I also saw a patch of cornflower, a pretty but non-native flower.
A yellow-bellied slider was right in the middle of the trail. He retreated to the safety of his carapace as I passed.
After crossing the road, the trail became very overgrown, though easy to follow. It ended abruptly back at the lake.
I turned around here and headed back.
There was a nice path of orange day-lily, another invasive species, flowering near the parking lot.
From here, I continued another 20 minutes to Jordan Lake Educational State Forest. I started off on Forest Demonstration Trail that led around the peninsula with several spurs leading out to the lake.
At one, I saw a pair of osprey nesting over the water.
One was collecting sticks for nesting material while the other stood guard.
After finishing up the loop, I took the short Talking Tree Trail.
The Low Lands Trail led out to another scenic spot on the lake.
Wildlife Trail was the last in the forest and started from next to the parking lot. I saw some butterfly weed along here.
After finishing the loop, I stopped to see the Forest Service helicopter.
It was after noon and really hot by this point, so I finished up my hike and headed home to air conditioning.
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