Summer Hikes at Jordan Lake

Sunday, I went for a couple hikes at Jordan Lake.  My first stop was the Mason Point Trailhead in Jordan Game Land.  I followed the Horse Trail to the powerline clearing and then took that down to the point.  Some morning glory were blooming along the clearing.

The trail ends at the lake where the Durham-Duncan rail line used to cross New Hope Creek.  Across the lake was the terminus of Eagle Spur Trail.

It was a nice view from here, but a kayaker was birdwatching in the nude.

Giving the kayaker some privacy, I back to the mainland part.

Although an unofficial trail, the old rail line made a trail across Mason Point that I followed for several miles.

On one side of the trail, a prescribed burn had recently been performed.

There were a lot of lizard's tail blooming in the swampy area along the trail.

I also saw a patch of cornflower, a pretty but non-native flower.

A yellow-bellied slider was right in the middle of the trail.  He retreated to the safety of his carapace as I passed.

After crossing the road, the trail became very overgrown, though easy to follow.  It ended abruptly back at the lake.

I turned around here and headed back.

There was a nice path of orange day-lily, another invasive species, flowering near the parking lot.

From here, I continued another 20 minutes to Jordan Lake Educational State Forest.  I started off on Forest Demonstration Trail that led around the peninsula with several spurs leading out to the lake.

At one, I saw a pair of osprey nesting over the water.

One was collecting sticks for nesting material while the other stood guard.

After finishing up the loop, I took the short Talking Tree Trail.

The Low Lands Trail led out to another scenic spot on the lake.

Wildlife Trail was the last in the forest and started from next to the parking lot.  I saw some butterfly weed along here.

After finishing the loop, I stopped to see the Forest Service helicopter.

It was after noon and really hot by this point, so I finished up my hike and headed home to air conditioning.

Spring Hikes at Jordan Lake

On Saturday for Pi Day, I headed to Jordan Lake for some spring hikes.  My first stop was at the B. Everett Jordan Dam, parking at the tailrace area.  I hiked the Lowlands and Midlands Trail down here and spotted some rue anemone blooming.

Then I picked up the connector to head towards the Visitor Assistance Center.  Azure bluets were flowering in the powerline clearing.

Where the trail crossed the road, I picked up the Poe Ridge Loop Trail and went right towards the visitor center.  There was an overlook behind the visitor center with views of the lake and dam.  Shearon Harris cooling tower was visible in the distance.

I think this overlook had some of the nicest views of Jordan Lake I've seen.

Continuing on the loop, the trail stayed real close to the lake, ducking in and out of little coves.

At the Poe Ridge Boat Ramp, I went out for another view of the lake.

The trail passes by a small pond that supports local reptile and amphibian life.

Finishing up the loop, I took the connector back down and got on the Creekside Trail.

There were a lot of eastern spring beauty blooming along the creek.

This trail ended back by the tailrace parking area.

My next stop was Ebenezer Church at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.  Parking down by the beach, I took the Connector Trail up through the picnic areas and picked up the Old Oak Trail.  There were tree identification signs and an old farm pond.

Finishing up the loop, I took Connector Trail back to the beach area and got on Ebenezer Church Trail.  Near where the loop split, a short spur led out to the remains of the old church for which this area is named.

It was a log cabin church so just the chimney is still standing.  After the trail crossed the Boat Ramp Road, it passed by another large farm pond.

Then it looped back around and I finished up here.

I went down for a view of the lake before taking off.

My last stop was at the Seaforth Day Use Access at Jordan Lake State Recreation Area.  I parked at the boat ramp and took the spur for Pond Trail to the loop.  Going left the trail led to the parking for the beach area and views of the lake.

It picked up on the other side and crossed a long section of boardwalk.

There were several old farm ponds along the trail.

I went out to the osprey nest but no one was home.

The full loop was about 1.4 miles and then the short spur back to the parking.

I had worked up quite an appetite by this time and headed home.