Length: 6.0 miles (partial loop)
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: William B. Umstead State Park
Trail Users: Hikers only
Dogs: Only if on a ≤ 6 foot leash
Features: Creeks, Forest, Historical Site
Crowds: High
Warnings: None
Trailhead GPS: 35.83546,-78.75983
Directions:
The trailhead is at the Reedy Creek entrance to Umstead State Park. The Reedy Creek entrance is off Harrison Avenue, just north of exit 287 from I-40. The entrance is located about 11 miles west of Raleigh on I-40. From I-40, take the Harrison Ave. exit (287) and go north into the park.
Map:
The trail is shown in green and follows the loop in the counterclockwise direction.
Hike Description:
Company Mill Trail starts from the northwest corner of the Reedy Creek parking lot past the picnic area. The trail uses switchbacks to dip down behind the picnic shelter to the intersection with Inspiration Trail. Turn left here to hike the short loop with tree identification signs.
Back on Company Mill Trail, go left to head towards Crabtree Creek. The trail passes through Crabtree Shrub Slopes Natural Area, a registered Natural Heritage Area, where mountain laurel can be seen blooming.
At about 1 mile, the trail descends towards Crabtree Creek. This section of the trail was re-routed in spring 2020.
Once at Crabtree Creek, there is a steel footbridge crossing the creek.
Across the bridge, the trail forms a loop. Turn right to hike past the remains of the Company Mill dam in the creek. The rocks out in the creek make a great spot to take a break or have a lunch.
Right along the trail is the millstone from Company Mill that was recovered in the creek in 1994 by a park historian.
The trail continues following Crabtree Creek, then climbs up a ridge and crosses Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail. From here, the trail descends down to Sycamore Creek. A short spur leads to Sycamore Trail to extend the hike (See Umstead Sycamore Trail hike for description). The trail then follows Sycamore Creek for a mile before crossing Reedy Creek MUT again and then descending back down to Crabtree Creek. It is less than a mile along Crabtree Creek back to the bridge. Turn left to return to the trailhead.
Back on Company Mill Trail, go left to head towards Crabtree Creek. The trail passes through Crabtree Shrub Slopes Natural Area, a registered Natural Heritage Area, where mountain laurel can be seen blooming.
At about 1 mile, the trail descends towards Crabtree Creek. This section of the trail was re-routed in spring 2020.
Once at Crabtree Creek, there is a steel footbridge crossing the creek.
Across the bridge, the trail forms a loop. Turn right to hike past the remains of the Company Mill dam in the creek. The rocks out in the creek make a great spot to take a break or have a lunch.
Right along the trail is the millstone from Company Mill that was recovered in the creek in 1994 by a park historian.
The trail continues following Crabtree Creek, then climbs up a ridge and crosses Reedy Creek Multi-Use Trail. From here, the trail descends down to Sycamore Creek. A short spur leads to Sycamore Trail to extend the hike (See Umstead Sycamore Trail hike for description). The trail then follows Sycamore Creek for a mile before crossing Reedy Creek MUT again and then descending back down to Crabtree Creek. It is less than a mile along Crabtree Creek back to the bridge. Turn left to return to the trailhead.
Blog Entries:
09-May-2020: Umstead Reopening
15-Apr-2018: Wake County Wildflowers
01-Apr-2017: April Flowers in Umstead
15-Apr-2018: Wake County Wildflowers
01-Apr-2017: April Flowers in Umstead
External Links:
NC State Parks website: https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/william-b-umstead-state-park
No comments:
Post a Comment