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. 

Piedmont Environmental Center

The Piedmont Environmental Center (PEC) is practically in my back yard; well 2.6-miles away to be more exact. The PEC is my go-to place for my daily walks. The Center is a 376-acre preserve with 4-miles of trails along High Point City Lake.

I usually walk the Bill Faver Lakeshore Trail and then take an excursion on the Raccoon Run Trail around the peninsula. To keep from getting bored with the same scenery, I'll mix in the other smaller trail on occasion.

There are countless picturesque views of High Point City Lake, particularly during the autumn season when you see the reflection of the colorful trees off the water of the lake.

The center has built a half dozen benches for hikers to have a rest or for those wanting to meditate while they bask in the peaceful waters of the lake.

I am surprised at some of the unusually large trees that have grown here.

The forest is mixed. The picture shows four different trees grouped together. The variety of what you'll mostly see here are Tulip Popular, Swett Gums, Red Maple, Longleaf Pine, Sourwood, and Red Oak trees.

During the hot summer, the creeks become dry creek beds.

At the intersection of the Bill Faver Lakeshore and Dogwood Trails, there is an open area that was at one time a homestead. It shows some of its remains from parts of a foundation and metal from a roof. Now it is a field covered in Kudzu.

In this small forest, I have seen beaver and spooked deer. I've heard the hoot of an owl and the bark of a fox. Coming from the woodlands of Northern Michigan it's no wonder why I love spending so much time here. 

Many of the towns we considered moving to didn't have a natural wooded area close by to walk my dog. When I discovered the PEC, that became the final piece of the puzzle when taking into account all the other considerations like schools, nearness to work, church, affordable housing, crime rates, etc. In 1972, there were some citizens of Jamestown and High Point, who had some foresight when they procured this acreage of land.