Bent Creek on Labor Day

On Monday, we checked out of our cabin and headed to Bent Creek Experimental Forest.

We parked at the Rice Pinnacle Trail and set off on the Deer Lake Lodge Trail, where vibrant mushrooms were sprouting along the path.

Continuing to the end of the trail, we connected with Ledford Trail and then strolled along the road to Lake Powhatan, pausing at the fishing pier.

The views were stunning along the lake.

Wildflowers bloomed profusely around the lake, drawing a swallowtail butterfly to nectar among them, and the views were simply stunning.

After a refreshing snack break, we looped back via the Homestead and Hard Times Trails, spotting even more wildflowers along the way.

It was about five miles total.

From there, we drove home, making a quick stop at Bright Penny in Mebane.

Bent Creek Hike on Independence Day

Monday, I checked out of the hotel and started heading east.  I drove to the Rice Pinnacle Trailhead at Bent Creek Experimental Forest and started out on Deer Lake Lodge Trail.

I then got on Wolf Branch Trail and headed up until I got to Ingles Field Gap Trail.

This trail along the upper section of the forest led about 2 miles to its namesake gap, where I got on Little Hickory Top Trail.

This trail gradually descended down into the forest.  I saw some phlox blooming.

At the end, I took a forest road to get on Boyd Branch Trail, following its namesake stream down.

A little copperhead was on the trail.

I then got on Campground Connector Trail to head towards the lake.

There was a nice spot to go out on Bent Creek here.

I then took Homestead Trail to go around the lake.  Lots of rosebay rhododendron were blooming throughout the forest.

I made a short loop on Small Creek and Deerfield Loop back to Homestead and then finished this trail out.

  Finally, I took Hardtimes Connector to head back to the parking lot and started making my way home.