~BAILEY CREEK TRAIL~

 



~~~~~click on photos for enlargements~~~

Up in Bill's Creek there is still a remote dirt (NC is paving all roads even if they are better dirt!)
back road that runs along Buffalo Cr. thus the name Buffalo Shoals Road. About midway through
the road on the north side is 4,000 acres FOR SALE which has at least
3 branch creeks running down into Buffalo Creek. As college students we
visited this area where my aunt lived in the early 70's. Then as fate would
have it we found jobs and settled here and raised our 3 boys hiking and
playing on this same land. Now we are about to lose it to developers as it
is for sale by a lumber co. and a local developer is negotiating with them.
We have heard he will cut roads and sell it off in 100 acre tracts. At least that, but it is sad it won't
become a county park. The trail begins in the lower left corner of the photo.

Stepping off the dirt road up a little bank, I am on the trail. Down to the
left is Bailey Creek and to the right a hill. The sun is bright and here you
see the view I have of the trail as I begin walking.

Many years ago I took a shadow photo of myself with a backpack on holding
a walking stick and as I see my shadow now I decide this would make another
good shadow photo of me on this trail. As well as creating a record of me being
there!

As I was walking along I was brought to a stop at the sight of this little camp by
the creek. At first I wondered if I should keep going but ended up figuring this
was a hunters camp. Since there was no hunting right now I decided to go on. I
continued up the trail with my dog, Gypsy, running down to the creek, on up the
trail and back toward me at break neck speed so I have to hold my hand out so
she won't collide with me!

These woods are really thick and when you are in them during a heavy wind it
is pretty scary. When you look up you see the tops of the trees whipping around
and you hear lots of creaks and goans as they rub together. The worst though is
knowing that many fall down during these winds!!! You can't go very far on the
trail without having to go over or under a huge fallen tree. Here you are looking
past a fallen tree on up the trail.

After crossing the creek which goes off to my right now, I follow the trail which fades out in the
woods but I keep going up a bank and hit another old road trail at a large
rock. I have been hearing the call of flying Pileated Woodpeckers and now
I see them up toward the top of the mountain flying from tree to tree and
yes there it is their loud echoing hammering. To the right toward the creek,
the road is overgrown with sapplings which I push through and come out on
the open trail with another log to get across! It's hard to make out but the light patch in the middle
is the sappling patch and the rock on the left by the tree.

The trail goes along now high on the mountain side above the creek and
finally walking under a huge tree with just a little duck of my head I go
down to the side of the creek again at a narrow rocky spot.

Looking to my right is Gypsy waiting for me to throw a stick.

Looking to my left on up the creek it looks beautiful but completely impassable!
I have come to the end of the trail.

The sun shining down, shimmering on the trees and plants creates a magical
quality to the trail as I walk back out.

Well friends this is one of the wonderful trails I have been hiking to get my exercise every day.
You can see why I look forward to getting out into the woods somewhere every morning in this
area after I drop my son off at work.

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