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.