Beech Trail
- Reedy Creek
This short (0.5 miles, easy) trail is primarily
a link connecting the Inspiration Trail and Company Mill Trail. The signs were all changed
recently and we have heard that the Beech Trail is now also considered part of the Company
Mill Trail. If this is true, it would be a spur as the Company Mill Trail is really a loop
in the center of the Ready Creek section of the Park.
Bridle
and Bike Trails
Cyclists frequently complain about an
insufficient presence of trails for them to use. Bridle paths are even rarer. In William B
Umstead State Park the State of North Carolina has created and maintains 15+ miles of
shared (bike/bridle) trails. These meander around the park mostly as specially designated
dirt and gravel roads. The scenery, as along the hiking trails, is certainly pleasurable -
and the occasional stone masonry bridges make for a twinge of the pre-automobile
yesteryear. These trails can be accessed from either the Reedy Creek Park Road (for the
Reedy Creek section) or Ebenezer Church Road (for the Crabtree Creek section). The trails
traverse the entire park so use whichever entrance is more convenient. Note: bikes and
horses are not allowed on the hiking trails.
Company
Mill Trail - Reedy Creek
A 4.5 mile, moderately challenging loop in the
Reedy Creek section of the park, the Company Mill Trail can be combined with several other
Park trails to add miles, scenery and enjoyment. The inspiration for the trail's name came
from an old mill site (with adjacent dam, a local historic landmark which is now just a
pile of rocks). There are many other ruins from what was (in the 19th Century) an economic
hub in the Raleigh area.
Company
Mill Spur - Reedy Creek
As its name implies, this very short (0.2 miles,
easy) spur take you over to the bridle path.
Frances Liles Interpretive Trail - Schenck Forest
This nature trail is actually in Schenck Forest
and not part of William B Umstead State Park. It touches Loblolly Trail where the latter
passes through the research forest. Slightly over 1 mile, the Liles Trail loops through
the research tract along some pretty streams. There are ten, signed interpretive sites
along the trail. Near the eastern end is a picnic area in a small, grassy meadow, which
you are free to use.
Inspiration
Trail - Reedy Creek
While short (0.5 miles, easy), the Inspiration
Trail is well named. This beautiful trail does a mini-spiral through an inspiring hardwood
forest. They have, thoughtfully, provided benches along the trail. Sit for a few moments,
enjoy nature's magnificence and count your blessings.
Loblolly
Trail - Reedy Creek
Loblolly Trail actually leaves the Park to
terminate at Finley Stadium (NC State University) via Raleigh's Richland Creek Greenway.
It passes through the Schenck Forest (a Forest Resources research tract of the NCSU) and
passes under I-40 (one of the busiest freeways in Carolina). It is a 6 mile, moderately
challenging trail which makes it the longest of the Park trails.
Oak
Rock Trail - Crabtree Creek
A 1 mile, easy loop adjacent to Sal's Branch and
Oak Rock Trails (all use common parking lots).
Pott's
Branch Trail - Crabtree Creek
A 3/4 mile easy loop between the Sal's Branch
and Oak Rock Trails (all use common parking lots). Here, at Big Lake, you can rent canoes
or rowboats (see William
B Umstead State Park) for fishing or just a
relaxing paddle around the 55 acre lake.
Sal's
Branch Trail - Crabtree Creek
A 2.2 mile loop (moderately challenging) Sal's
Branch takes you to the shore of Big Lake. Row boats and canoes are available for rent on
Big Lake (see Pott's Branch Trail and/or William B
Umstead State Park).
Sycamore
Trail - Crabtree Creek
This 6.5 mile, easy to moderate trail takes you
from the Big Lake area (see Pott's Branch, Sal's Branch and Oak Rock Trails above) to
Sycamore Creek. There it turns and follows the creek to Sycamore Lake, turns back, over
the rise and rejoins itself creating a loop at the Sycamore Creek end of the trail. Take
your time on this one; there's a lot to see.
