Crabtree Creek West

The final segment of Crabtree Creek Trail was recently finished, completing the 17-mile trail in the Capital Area Greenway.  Saturday was going to be really hot, so I got an early start at the trailhead for Crabtree Creek West along Ebenezer Church Road before 7.  The trail starts where Crabtree Creek leaves Umstead State Park, where the multi-use trail bridge has been removed.

Following the trail, it crosses Richland Creek on a footbridge just above the confluence.

Past here, it heads away from the creek and climbs up a ridge via an elaborate switchback structure.

In about a mile, the greenway comes out on Duraleigh Road and follows the sidewalk back to the creek.  Where the road crosses, the trail goes down and under the bridge.

Shortly past here was a large suspension bridge over the river.

I believe this was the last piece of the trail to be constructed.

In about 2 miles, the trail reaches Lindsey Drive, the former western terminus of the trail.  They made another bridge over the river that connects to Picardy Drive.

Past here, it was existing trail.  I went a few more miles, past the mall and beltline and then turned around as it was really warming up.

Cliffs of the Neuse on National Trails Day

Saturday, for National Trails Day, we took Harper for a hike to Cliffs of the Neuse State Park near Goldsboro.

Arriving around 830, we parked at the visitor center and set off on the Lake Trail.

Here, we took Galax Trail and Bird Trail and went out to the river.

350 Yard Trail climbed up to the overlook and other parking.

There was a nice view of Neuse River from here.

We then took Spanish Moss Trail and Longleaf Trail to finish up the loop.

A toad was hopping just off the trail.

And we saw a variegated fritillary along the gravel road.

Finish up our hike, we were getting hungry so stopped at Wilber's BBQ in Goldsboro for lunch.  Before leaving the area, we made another stop at Old Waynesborough Park for a short hike around the park before heading home.

We saw some interesting wildlife on our hike.

There was a clearwing hummingbird moth on the verbena.

I also spotted a couple beautiful passionflowers.

There was a little passionflower flea beetle on one of them. 

Most of the wildflowers were blooming in the open areas as the canopy had grown in.

After finishing our hike, we made the drive back to Raleigh.