Saxapahaw Hikes

Saturday, we took Harper for a hike in the small town of Saxapahaw.  We parked at Saxapahaw Island Park to first hike around the island in Haw River.

The water level in the river was very low and the fish weir was visible.  In higher water, it would be completely submerged.

Further on the loop, we had a nice view of the rivermill that is now apartments.

At the north end of the island, we were able to get into the riverbed and view the dam upstream.

After finishing the loop, we walked into town and had breakfast at the general store.  Then we headed over to Saxapahaw Lake and hiked the Scout Loop.

On the hike back, we got on Haw River Trail and headed across the bridge to go northbound.  There was a marbled orb weaver spider along the road.

The trail ran through the grounds of Saxapahaw Campground and to the dam.

The newest section continued past the dam for another 3/4 mile along the lake.

Where the trail ended, we turned around and headed back to the car.

For lunch, we stopped at the Eddy before heading home.

Bill Craft Trail Hike

Sunday, we took Harper for a hike up in Greensboro at the Richardson-Taylor Preserve.  The trail immediately passed by an unusual tree whose trunk was horizontal for a ways before turning to grow up.

Right after here, we came to a split and went right on Wetlands Loop to an overlook of the wetlands on Long Branch before it drained into Lake Townsend.

We then got back on Bill Craft Trail and soon passed the remains of an old car.  Unfortunately, it was vandalized with grafitti.

In another mile or so, a short spur led to another overlook.

The trail continued on another mile, eventually ending at the northern trailhead on Simpson-Calhoun Road.

On the hike back, I stopped for a picture of Long Branch from the bridge.

Back at the parking lot, we took the Watershed Trail Connector down to Reedy Fork Trail for a nice view of Lake Townsend.

After enjoying the view, we headed back.

On the way home, we stopped for lunch at Bright Penny in Mebane.