Faith Rock Preserve, Deep River Trail, and the Pisgah Covered Bridge - Franklinville, NC
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
“When your faith becomes stronger than your fears then your dreams can become a reality.” - Buddha
The Story -
On Saturday, Ginger and I spent the overcast and rainy day hiking and exploring several landmarks and heritage sites in Randolph County North Carolina. Our day started with a short, historical, and very pleasant hike at the Faith Rock Preserve and the Deep River Trail in Franklinville, followed by several stops at former mill houses, one still standing, some shopping at the renowned Seagrove Pottery Village, the pottery capital of the world, then ending our day with another short hike at the Pisgah Covered Bridge, one of only two covered bridges left in all of North Carolina.
Faith Rock Preserve -
The Faith Rock Preserve is a Randolph County historical site with a remarkable Revolutionary War history. The thirteen-acre preserve includes a massive fifty-feet high bluestone outcrop on the Deep River that was the site of a legendary Revolutionary War incident involving the notorious Tory David Fanning, a local Patriot Andrew Hunter, and Fanning’s horse named Bay Doe. Fanning and his men were chasing Hunter, who had stolen Bay Doe and had him surrounded. To the bewilderment of everyone, Hunter while riding Bae Doe, leaped off the rock and into the river to allude capture. It’s quite a story! Learn more about it here.
Faith Rock Trail -
We parked at the Faith Rock trailhead off Andrew Hunter Road beside an old and dilapidated mill that once was the true heartbeat of Franklinville. It opened as a grist mill in 1804 before later being converted to a textile mill in the early 1900s. It survived for nearly two centuries before a devastating fire and ultimately the collapse of the US textile industry in the early 2000s. We immediately crossed the Deep River over a beautiful bridge that offered stunning views of the wide, vast, and fast-flowing river.
The almost mile-long loop trail led us next to the cascading water and then high above it, all the while offering scenic views and multiple rock hopping opportunities. Due to the sheer number of large rock outcroppings, we mistakenly thought we had arrived at “Faith Rock” several times before actually reaching it! There is no doubt once you reach Faith Rock, however, as it is truly massive and an amazing sight to behold. I came to understand how it got its name, imagining the faith it took to leap high off of it into the river. I also thought to myself how easily it could have been named stupidity, crazy, or desperation rock 😂
Deep River Trail -
Finishing our loop and crossing back over the bridge, we continued on the out-and-back almost four-mile Deep River Trail for a short time before turning around due to the rain. The Deep River Trail in Frankilnville is a former rail trail that has been converted to a hiking/walking path that follows along the picturesque river for almost two miles. A unique highlight of this section of the trail is an ancient Native American fishing weir used by the Saponi and Keyauwee tribes, which can be seen when the water levels are low.
Plans are moving forward, if not slowly, to connect the Deep River Trail to the mill towns along the river including Ramsuer and Randleman and eventually Greensboro. On our way out, we passed the massive man-made Randolph Mill Lake Dam that once powered the mill.
Pisgah Covered Bridge -
Our last stop of the day was at the Pisgah Covered Bridge located in the Uwharrie National Forest, the only remaining covered bridge in Randolph County and one of only two remaining covered bridges in the state of North Carolina. The other remaining covered bridge in North Carolina is the Bunker Hill Covered Bridge in Claremont, NC. The bridge is a direct connection to the county’s past mode of transportation when horse and wagon transportation were common and automobile travel was in its infancy. Dr. David Jones, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoological Park states, “It represents a quieter time gone by when things were less rushed and the sound of tumbling water in the creek was all that could be heard apart from the birds’ songs and rustling leaves.”
The bridge collapsed in August 2003 due to a flood and its unstable, dry-packed footings, yet was rebuilt using over 90% of the original material with a new concrete and rebar-reinforced foundation, capable of withstanding the elements and hopefully lasting another hundred years. A short, well-maintained loop trail takes you alongside and then down to the gentle creek for ample photo opportunities looking back up to the bridge before crossing the bridge and returning to the parking area.
The Rest of the Story -
Since our hikes at the Faith Rock Preserve, Deep River Trail, and Pisgah Covered Bridge were relatively short and the weather was ominous, we made a few other stops including an old former grist mill and a pottery studio in the Village of Seagrove.
Randolph County, especially along and near the Deep River, is home to many former mill sites, yet few are still surviving to visit today. The Raymond Cox Mill on Mill Creek Road is one of those still standing that you can visit. Note that it is abandoned and appears to sit on private property, yet can be safely seen from the road turnout. I did step briefly out of my car and walked around the old mill, admiring up close the rusty and ragged mill wheel and nearby creek that at one time powered the mill.
Leaving the Cox Mill, we drove north on 220 until we reached the Village of Seagrove, the self-proclaimed “Pottery Capital of the World.” We passed dozens of eclectic studios on the main road, with dozens more lining the side streets. We stopped at a small shop, met the owner and potter, purchased a few items, and were on our way back home. A perfect ending to a wonderful day!
Wrap It Up -
If you are looking to spend a day hiking and exploring, Randolph County is a wonderful option. Regardless of the weather, you can find something fun and adventurous to do. Follow my itinerary or create your own, you will be glad you did.
Sassafras and Skinks