The Nat Greene Trail - Greensboro, NC
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” - Neal Donald Walsh
“To travel hopefully is better than to arrive.” - Robert Louis Stevenson
The Story -
On Saturday afternoon, Ginger, Alex, Sophie, and I were joined by several friends and family for a leisurely three-mile out-and-back hike on the Nat Greene Trail on Lake Brandt, a beautiful watershed trail of Greensboro, NC.
Hazy Shade of Winter - Simon & Garfunkel & The Bangles
This winter has not been hazy, not so far at least, yet I really like the title and both versions of the song, so I felt obliged to include it on this album, I mean blog…
It is an understatement to say that this year’s winter weather has been unpredictable, doing its best Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde's imitation. We have already experienced several February days with temperatures in the sixties and seventies sandwiched in between two-weekend snowstorms, and it’s only the middle of the month. And while I do enjoy the variety of experiences that hiking in different types of weather provides, sunny and mild days like Saturday are my preferred option.
The Nat Greene Trail -
The Nat Greene Trail is one of the oldest and most popular of Greensboro’s six watershed trails. It winds through a combination of mixed hardwoods and pines alongside Lake Brandt’s southeast edge. Several trailheads are available to explore different sections of the trail and we opted to start at the one on Old Battleground Road near a 200-foot boardwalk over the Horse Pen Creek. The well-maintained trail is mostly flat with only a few slight elevations changes and the natural path combined with several boardwalks allows hikers to cross the numerous mud-flats, streams, and bogs, all the while offering gorgeous views of Lake Brandt.
Spill The Tea -
The Nat Greene Trail is a designated hiking-only trail, yet does intersect a few times with the mountain-biking permitted Wild Turkey Trail. We encountered several mountain bikers as well as several trail runners, even passing by two groups of fishermen. The nearby Lake Brandt Marina offers canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, and boating opportunities. I love hiking and enjoyed the Nat Greene Trail, yet I am inclined to try one of the many other activities available the next time I am in the area.
The Last Verse Goes Like This Here - David Allen Coe
The Nat Greene Trail is an excellent choice for all hikers, yet especially one for novice hikers looking to give hiking a try. It also will appeal to almost anyone who is looking for a relaxed, serene, and easygoing outdoor experience. Perhaps you can meet me here for a hike or trail run followed by some fishing, biking, or kayaking.
