Waterfall Hero Hikes: White Pines Nature Preserve

White Pines Nature Preserve is a Triangle Land Conservancy nature preserve in Chatham County, south of Pittsboro. The preserve is located at the confluence of the Deep and Rocky Rivers and has a unique environment, which supports ecosystems normally found at higher altitudes. The Deep and Rocky Rivers carved 100-foot bluffs at their promontory and the north-facing slope has cooler temperatures than elsewhere in the Piedmont. These conditions allow cold-adapted plants and animals to remain in the normally warmer Piedmont.

The White Pines Nature Preserve is the first property acquired by the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) and due to its unique environment, is considered the flagship property of the organization. TLC strove to save this area from development in the 1980s and purchased 136 acres from landowners in 1987. The preserve has grown to its current size of 276 acres with additional land acquisitions.

Directions:

The entrance to the preserve is south of Pittsboro. From Pittsboro, travel south on US 15-501 for about 8 miles. After crossing the Rocky River, turn left on River Fork Road, then take an immediate left to stay on River Fork Road. In 0.8 miles, turn right to stay on River Fork Road again. The road will change to gravel. Follow to the end in 1.7 miles.

Map:

Trails:

Deep Bluffs Trail:

Length: 0.7 miles

Blaze: Black

Deep Bluffs Trail connects White Pines Trail to Gilbert Yager Trail, running along bluffs above Deep River.

Gilbert Yager Trail:

Length: 0.8 mile
Blaze: Green

The Gilbert Yager trail runs from the south end of the main parking lot and forms a loop, connecting with Rocky Bluffs Trail. The trail is named in honor of Gilbert Yager, a TLC board member and advocate for protecting White Pines.

River Trail

Length: 1.1 miles
Blaze: Blue

The River Trail makes a loop from the White Pines Trail down to the Deep River then along the banks to the confluence of the Deep and Rocky Rivers, and then back to the White Pines Trail.

Rocky Bluffs Trail:

Length: 0.5 miles

Blaze: Cyan

Rocky Bluffs Trail connects Shiner's Way and Schoolkids Trail, running along a bluff high above Rocky River.

Schoolkids Trail:

Length: 1.0 miles
Blaze: Yellow

The Schoolkids Trail starts from the main parking lot and descends down to and old cable bridge crossing over Rocky River. It then leads up to Deep Bluffs Trail to end.

Shiner's Way:

Length: 1.0 mile

Blaze: Orange

Shiner's Way starts from the overflow parking and makes a one-mile loop. A short spur leads down to a tributary of Rocky River along the property line.

White Pines Trail:

Length: 0.7 miles
Blaze: Red

The White Pines trail is the main trail running through the heart of the preserve and intersecting the River and Schoolkids trails. The trailhead is at the main parking lot.