Just North of Charlotte a short distance off of Interstate 77 is the Latta Plantation Nature Preserve.
The entrance to the preserve is 1 mile down Sample Road.
My hike began at the parking area just before the Latta Equestrian Center starting at the Hill Trail Trailhead, you go about three-quarters of a mile and arrive at a fork. You can go either way and will eventually a few hours later circle around to the same intersection. I went left (counter-clockwise).
According to author Joe Miller, prairies were once common throughout the Piedmont region. The proof of that was Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto made note of the open "savannas" during his trek through the area in 1540. This is my first time viewing a Piedmont prairie and this one wasn't more than 10 acres in size.
At an intersection of Split Rock Trail & Rock Hill, you'll come across this "prairie restoration project" which is some historical equipment.
A half-mile down Split Rock Trail you follow along the shore of Mountain Island Lake. The lake was created in 1924 which is a lake created by a dam of the Catawba River. It wasn't extreamly hot (85 degrees) but I had forgotten my day packpack which I carry Gypsy water bowl and bottled water. She was really thirsty and I was glad she could be refreashed.
Lots of boaters out on the lake this beautiful day. I hiked along the edge of a prairie, through a forest, and along the shores of a lake (5.6 miles according to my All Trails app). The City of Charlotte is fortunate to have this preserve and man-made lake within a half-hour drive.
