Hike to the Zombie Tunnels! – Schenck Forest’s Richland Creek Trail

Most recently updated May 4th, 2023

Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

The Zombie Tunnel Hike is a route that goes from Umstead State Park, and all the way through Carl Alwin Schenck Memorial Forest – with the help of the Richland Creek Trail.

All tunnels could be zombie tunnels...
All tunnels could be zombie tunnels…

I’ve been leading this hike for years, and people really enjoy it. 

At over 11 miles, it’s a good long hike, but it’s pretty flat, and has a lot of different features – like Zombie tunnels!

Okay, there may not *actually* be any Zombies, but it sure looks like there could be….and one time I did find a mutant fish in there 🙂

According to legend, Brigadoon only appears for one day every 300 years.
According to legend, Brigadoon only appears for one day every 300 years.

I don’t host this hike very often because conditions need to be just right or the route is impassable, and I hate to disappoint anyone.

The other thing about this route is that, depending on recent weather conditions or new construction, parts of the trail have been known to disappear like Brigadoon at sunrise.

So earlier this year, before I posted the hike for others to join me, I decided to take a look and see if the route was still there – and still the same.

Good news!  The route was still there – and still mostly the same.  In fact some parts had actually been improved!  

Now – just in time for Halloween! – I’ll tell you what I found, and how to get there – and maybe you can go try this somewhat spooky trail for yourself…

UPDATE:  There have been some major changes to the Schenck Forest access area over the past few months.   Read on for more updated info.

New construction on the Schenk access road off of Reedy Creek road.
New construction on the Schenck access road off of Reedy Creek road.

 

Continue reading Hike to the Zombie Tunnels! – Schenck Forest’s Richland Creek Trail

ReFit Week 5: The Home Stretch

Most recently updated January 17th, 2022

– – Week 5 of the ReFit Training began with a 4 mile treadmill run and arm weights on Monday.  So, no big deal – but it got the job done.

Besides,  I needed time to get ready for my field trip on Tuesday to Hanging Rock State Park.

The forecast called for highs in the 90’s, which is pretty hot for hiking, but it’s better than thunderstorms, so I stuck to the plan.

It’s been my habit to visit Hanging Rock every year in the early Spring, but this year the parks were closed due to COVID restrictions during the milder weather.

Most State Parks are at least partially open now, and the weather will only get warmer, so it was time to go!   

Summer Heat is Back

Every year in North Carolina, sometime between March and late June, there’s a moment when you step outside and get smacked in the face with hot, humid air.

And you suddenly remember what Summer feels like in all of it’s intense sweaty glory. 🙂

We had a few hot days earlier this year, but this past week Summer let us know it’s really here to stay.

Summer includes higher temps, higher humidity and changes to the weather pattern.   If you’re smart, it should include some some changes to your workout routine, too.

North Carolina heat and sun are just as intense inland as on the beach.
North Carolina heat and sun are just as intense inland as on the beach.

If you’re planning on doing anything really strenuous outdoors, you should probably get going as early as possible.

Not only will the heat get more intense later in the day, but we usually have a pretty good chance of heavy storms – possibly with lightning – in the late afternoon.

So my plan was to hit the road early, get to the Park by 9ish and be done hiking before the storms rolled in.

Midweek Field Trip to Hanging Rock

I’ve been to Hanging Rock many times over the years, so I decided to try something a little different this time.

Hanging Rock SP Visitors Center close due to COVID-19 restrictions
Hanging Rock SP Visitors Center closed due to COVID-19 restrictions

Instead of parking as usual at the Visitor’s Center (which is currently closed due to COVID restrictions anyway), I decided to park at the Tory’s Den parking lot and hike from there.

The Tory’s Den parking gives you access to the Ruben Mountain trail, plus Tory’s Den and Falls.

You can also get on the trail to Moore’s Knob from there as well – but be aware that it’s a 1 mile hike from the parking lot to get to the start of both Ruben Mountain Trail and Moore’s Wall Loop, so you need to add 2 miles to figure total distance.

Map of trails near Tory's Den parking area.
Map of trails near Tory’s Den parking area.

I’d hiked to Moore’s Knob before, but hadn’t hiked Ruben Mountain so I started with that trail.

Ruben Mountain Trail – 6ish mile loop

The Ruben Mountain Trail starts 1 mile from the parking area.  It’s about 4 miles total, but with the additional miles to and from the parking, just to do the Ruben Mountain trail is around 6 miles.

Trailhead sign at Tory's Den parking
Trailhead sign at Tory’s Den parking

The trail is wide and lined with split-rail fences in some sections, and you can tell it’s a favorite trail for horseback riders.

It’s an okay trail, mostly flat and would be a great trail running route if you lived locally.   

But I wouldn’t recommend traveling that far (it’s a 2 hour drive for me) just to hike the Ruben Mountain Trail.

I contemplated going up the hill to Moore’s Knob, but realized that would add another 4.5 miles to the 6 miles I’d already done, and I still wanted to be sure to see Tory’s Den and Falls before it was time to go.

So I walked back down the to the intersection with Tory’s Den Trail.

Tory's Falls at Hanging Rock State Park
Tory’s Falls at Hanging Rock State Park

The hike to Tory’s Falls was a soft dirt trail, mostly downhill.

After crossing a couple of streams, and finally going down a few flights of wooden steps, I stepped onto a large rock outcropping.

On the other side of a river channel were Tory’s Falls.  It was a great place for a break  🙂

After eating an apple and chugging some water, I continued down more wooden steps (!) to Tory’s Den.

Looking into Tory's Den.
Looking into Tory’s Den.

History of Tory’s Den

During the American Revolution, Whig (revolutionaries)  and Tory (loyal to Britain) neighbors occasionally clashed.

One of these skirmishes occurred in 1778 at Hanging Rock State Park.

The Tory’s Den (the cave shown above) was home to about 100 British sympathizers who lost their property to the Whigs after the war began. 

After a Tory raid, the Whigs retaliated by attacking the den.  No Whigs were lost in the skirmish and most of the Tories were taken prisoner.

THE TRAIL continues down a little bit further, but you can’t get close to the water due to vegetation along the banks.

Current Park Restrictions

I climbed back up all of those stairs (!) and  drove about 6 miles to the Visitors Center parking area, where I hiked a couple of the shorter waterfall trails before making the drive back home.

Though the swimming area at the lake is closed for COVID-19, people can still swim in the waterfalls 🙂

Unfortunately, the Visitor’s Center (and restrooms) are currently closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.   

There are restrooms available at the bathhouse.  (To see current conditions and restrictions at all State Parks, click here.)

Trail head for Upper Cascades Falls at the Visitor's Center
Trail head for Upper Cascades Falls at the Visitor’s Center

Puppy Hike and Bond Park Run

Good puppy on a leash!

The middle of the week was even hotter at home!

I contented myself through the rest of the week with some kickboxing, treadmill running and weights indoors, a shorter outdoor morning run at Bond Park, and took the puppy on a shady greenway hike to Annie Jones Park and Lake Pine.

 

Hot, Hot, Hot!  This Week’s Long Hike – 12.5 miles

This week’s long hike was on a very hot day, but we started pretty early.

The route began on the Loblolly Trail  in Umstead State Park  and followed Loblolly into Schenck Forest and back out onto the Reedy Creek Greenway.

The rest of the route would continue to follow the greenway all the way to the North Carolina Museum of Art Park. 

(The Museum buildings and restrooms are still closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, so we made sure to take advantage of facilities at Umstead before heading out.)

Half of the group turned back to do a shorter 6.5 mile hike options, and the rest of us continued on along the Reedy Creek Trail. 

Bees hang out at the Prairie Ridge EcoStation
Bees hang out at the Prairie Ridge EcoStation

Prairie Ridge EcoStation, NCMA Park

We took the Reedy Creek Greenway all the way past the Prairie Ridge EcoStation and on both natural and paved trails through the NCMA Park.

Our turnaround point was the far side of the pedestrian bridge over I-440.

Pedestrian Bridge over I-440 at the NCMA Park.
Pedestrian Bridge over I-440 at the NCMA Park.

Some of us were dragging a bit by the time we got back to the Loblolly trailhead parking lot,  but it was a really good hike with a great group!  🙂

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

On the way back to from NCMA to Umstead, I was reminded of how important it is to drink plenty of water before and during these hot summer hikes.

What reminded me were the excruciating foot and calf cramps I got in the last mile of the hike… 😉

Swimmers at Upper Cascades Falls
Swimmers at Upper Cascades Falls

Even an experienced hiker (like me) can get caught once in a while.

Drinking plenty of water before and during the hike helps by replenishing the fluids lost by excessive sweating.

But sometimes just drinking water isn’t enough.

When you sweat, you lose electrolytes, and if you lose too many, you can get dizzy, and have severe muscle cramps.

The easiest way to replace them is with a sports drink that contains electrolytes.

Carry electrolyte candy in your pack for longer summer hikes.
Carry electrolyte candy in your pack for longer summer hikes.

You can also get sports candy that does the same thing – with fewer calories.

Focus mostly on replacing sodium and potassium, but calcium and magnesium are also important.

My muscle cramps lasted for a couple of days, but with lots of water and mineral supplements they finally settled down 🙂

The Home Stretch

With 5 weeks down and one week to go of  6 weeks to get back in shape , I’m in the home stretch.

This next week I’ll keep the workouts going, but will also focus on eating a clean, portion-controlled diet – with extra electrolytes!

If you’re local and would like to join us, check out the I’d Rather Walk Meetup for hike postings.

Trail to Upper Cascades Falls
Trail to Upper Cascades Falls

I hope you’ve found my Training Log ramblings to be helpful- or at least amusing! 🙂   To see more of them go to my Training Log.

Take a look at my 6 Week Training Plan post to see what other kinds of training I’m doing, and what other hikes I’ll have coming up.

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time!  LJ

To get New Idratherwalk Posts
sent directly to your inbox (how convenient!) Click this Button! 

Umstead State Park: Combining Trails for Longer Hikes

Most recently updated September 30th, 2022

Working remotely doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors – in fact, it’s healthier for you to take breaks and get outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine!

Being stuck indoors by yourself  – or with your kids – with no end in sight could make you nuts.

Paved trail beside Big Lake in Umstead State Park
Paved trail beside Big Lake in Umstead State Park

Getting out on the trail on your own, or with 10 or fewer members of your family or friends, could help bring you back from Crazy Town.

If you’re a hiker local to Cary or Raleigh, NC, you know the nearby hiking places, and have been on the trails.

They’re beautiful, have varied terrain and are easily accessible. 

Continue reading Umstead State Park: Combining Trails for Longer Hikes