Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve - The Swift Creek Trail

The Swift Creek Trail

Difficulty: Easy

Distance: .8 miles

Location: Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve 

                2616 Kildaire Farm Rd. Cary, NC
Take I-40 to exit 293A onto 64W/1S Take exit 98A onto Tryon Road. Take a right onto Kildaire Farm road and the preserve will be on the right about a mile and a half down.

After visiting the nature center, we got on to the good stuff. A short hike. The preserve has about 3 miles of very well maintained trails. We hiked the Swift Creek Trail. Not sure how this creek got it's name, perhaps another section moves swiftly. What we saw was barely moving at all.

The trail is awesome. So well maintained! There are boardwalks over low-lying areas, stairs up and down steep parts of the trail and everything else is covered in gravel or mulch, so the surface stays really nice. No roots to worry about, no erosion troughs, just smooth, well-kept trail. Perfect for even the smallest and newest of hikers. Another feature of this trail was a series of several wooden platforms built out over the bluffs and overlooking the creek. The trail map shows where all of these features are on each trail, so you can choose accordingly.

The trail was really neat; it supports a unique blend of wildlife that you don't often find this far east in NC. It was like walking through a portal back to the mountains (except for the slow creek, mountain stream move much more swiftly.) The only caution I have is that just about every sign had a warning about copperhead activity. Copperheads are the only venomous snake in the preserve and according to the signs have been very active lately. Copperheads are also fairly aggressive snakes. As in, if you see one, back away, don't try to step over it, or go around it. Turn around and leave, if you get close enough to bite, they will feel threatened and try to defend themselves. That said, with all of the signage, I was kind of disappointed we didn't see any. Not that I want one blocking my path, but I would've liked to see one from afar. Although then I have to worry about Tot trying to pick it up, so maybe it's a good thing we didn't see any. We did, however see a young deer run across the trail and into the woods, which was a huge hit.

Great hike for kids, just keep your eyes open this time of year and be smart.  We'll go back.

Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve - Stevens Nature Center

This morning I read a post by Mom in Chapel Hill about Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. Now being the recent mountain transplants that we are, this was irresistible. We love to hike. Tot begs to go hiking on a regular basis. Since the weather has turned cooler (NOT cool, just cooler, i.e. 86 today rather than 106) it was a perfect day to explore this fantastic hiking spot. Once we arrived, Mom's homesickness began to dissipate. The nature preserve is home to a unique ecosystem within the piedmont. The flora is reminiscent of the mountains. Within the forest are Eastern Hemlocks which are usually not found outside of the Appalachian Mountains, as well as galax and salamanders that are common to the west, but not anywhere in this part of the state. It's kind of neat knowing that only half an hour away we can visit a forest that feels like home.
The theory is that during the last ice age temperatures were (obviously) much cooler than they are today and that these types of forests were common throughout the region. As the area warmed up, different types of trees took over and the hemlock forests died off in the heat. The area that is now hemlock bluffs is cooler because of the north facing bluffs which provide a rare, cool, moist environment.
When you enter the preserve, you see a building which the Stevens Nature Center. Inside the Nature Center are exhibits that talk about the plant and animal life within the preserve. Tot enjoyed making animal footprints in the sand while looking cool in her movie star glasses.
The Nature center hosts a variety of nature programs for all ages. Cost varies depending on the program and whether you are Cary resident or not. We may try to attend one of the workshops; Tot would really enjoy it. However, unregistered siblings are not allowed. So for me to take her to the Nature Nuts program (for ages 3-5) Brother would have to stay home with Dad or Dad and Brother could come enjoy the preserve while Tot and I enjoy the class. For information about available programs click here.