Piedmont Environmental Center (North Preserve)

The  Piedmont Environmental Center has two sections. North of East Fork Road is called the North Preserve. Since the South portion of the preserve is nearer to my home, I take most of my after work walks there but usually do my Sunday afternoon strolls up at the North Preserve.

The map above shows the trail system of the North Preserve. It is turned sideways whereas North is to the right and South is to the left.  If you walk the entire outer perimeter as I did, you will have walked 3.45 miles.

The primary access to the North Preserve is parking at Jamestown Park. I prefer to park my Jeep at the dead end of  Sunnyvale Drive and walk 100 yards beyond the gate and begin where the Deep River Trail crosses the road.

This picture shows both my beginning and ending spot. I am parked 100-yards to the right. I can go in either direction and will arrive back at this location in just under 2 hours. 

About half of the three and a half mile walk is on the Bicentennial Greenway. 

 Sometimes I will take a shortcut on the Pinewood Trail. This trail takes you through an impressive stand of pines. This path will shorten the hike by about one mile.

  

Hiking back on the Deep River Trail I have some gorgeous views of  High Point Lake and will encounter wildlife such as a Blue Herring, beaver,  ducks, and deer seeking a drink.

Not only do you have the lake but several creeks that you cross over on some simply built bridges and even a short boardwalk.  At this time of year, there's barely any water flowing.

The portion of the Deep River Trail that circles North of the Greenway will walk you right along the banks a steady flowing creek with plenty of rocks and rapids. 

A large tree recently fell across the Deep River Trail and had been cleared out of the way leaving this tree trunk along the side of the trail. I counted 103 rings that date this tree's beginning to 1912.

This burl probably caused the death of this tree. A burl is a tree growth that the grain has grown in a deformed manner.

Why do mushrooms grow on trees? Here is an answer I found: "Mushrooms that grow on trees bark are spread by wind-blown spores. They usually infect older trees; or trees that have been injured by vandalism, pruning, or storms. Boring insects, high winds, fire, ice, lighting, and snow all can cause wounds that are susceptible to infection by mushroom spores.

Conclusion: The North Preserve is a bit more isolated than the South and less traveled. I enjoy the change of scenery it gives me. Both sections of the Piedmont Environmental Center are a real pleasure to retreat to from the urban sprawl of my everyday surroundings.