Cane Creek Mountains Full Tour

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fall Colors · River/Creek · Wildflowers

The trail first tours some more open ground in the lowlands that is rich with birds and flowers and then moves it's way uphill.

Good even trail that stays dry.

From the parking lot head north to make the Longleaf Loop.

There is not much shade along this loop so it would be best to avoid during mid summer days. The trail meanders through what seems like old farmland. The trees are all less than 20 years old. I was there in Fall, but I imagine that during the Spring and Summer there are lots of wild flowers and birds to be seen. The surface of the trail varies between gravel, cinder, and boardwalk in the lower areas, which means that even on the wettest days the trail should stay dry.

Once back in the parking lot turn south and connect up with the Northern Approach Trail.
The trail starts by cutting through the wetlands on a raised trail. The land is more open with different flowers. From here, you begin to enter through younger forest that passes along a creek. In the right season there are oodles of mushrooms. After coming to the Heartleaf Loop, you turn to the right a cut along the base of the mountain.

Soon you are making switchback up the mountain. The terrain slowly turns from rocky to boulder strewn as you reach the summit. Continue along the large rounded summit through mature hardwoods. Eventually you twist your way back down, passing a picturesque creek with fern covered banks. Run past the Heartleaf Loop again and you are soon back at the parking lot.

Tons of mushrooms