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Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

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Page 1: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

Trail Map

THE TRAILSOF BEAR LAKERESERVE, PHASE I

WELCOME!

SAFETY

Trail Ridge...

Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows...

Hickory Mountain... Kiesee Creek... The names

alone tell you that Bear Lake Reserve, located in

the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has a lot

of wild and varied terrain for you to discover. And

the hiking trails fo Bear Lake Reserve, as they wind

through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops,through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops,

and along cascading creeks, have been designed to

lead you there. So, step out the door of your cottage

and head towards the nearest trail!

is an on-going project and that trail routes may

undergo changes or extensions that may not be

reflected on the latest available map.

Please keep in mind that trail-buiding

bearlakereserve.com

412 Lake Forest Drive, P.O. Box 96

Tuckasegee, NC 28783

828.293.3455 MAIN

828.293.3864 ACTIVITIES DESK

COURTESY OF USDA-NRC PLAANTS DATABASE KENTUCKYNATIVE PLANT SOCIETY/BRITTON, NL AND A. BROWN.1913 ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF THE NORTHERN STATESAND CANADA; AMERICAN BEECH VOL. 1:615; GALAXVOL. 2:707; RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM VOL. 2:8681;SWEET BETSY VOL. 1:523.

Page 2: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

BEAR LAKE RESERVE SITE MAP

BEA

R LA

KE C

REEK

LOO

P T

RA

ILS:P

AR

K LO

OP

& LO

OP

TR

AIL D

ESCR

IPTIO

NFrom

ist lower en

d, on

Lake Forest

Drive, th

is trail follow

s Bea

r Creek u

pstrea

m, crossin

g th

e creek

mid

wa

y on a

footbrid

ge from

the w

estern to ea

stern, b

an

k an

d

the m

eeting

the B

earp

en B

ran

ch T

rail on

its up

per en

d, a

t Bea

r

Creek Pa

rk Drive. Loop

ing

off this m

ain

trail a

re two sh

orter

trails, a

bou

t .1 m

iles each

. Th

a first loop

goes th

roug

h B

ear

Creek Pa

rk, with

its tree hou

ses an

d ston

e hea

rth, b

efore rejoin-

ing

the m

ain

trail on

a footb

ridg

e nea

r the w

hite teep

ee. Th

ein

g th

e ma

in tra

il on a

footbrid

ge n

ear th

e wh

ite teepee. T

he

second

loop lea

ves the m

ain

trail fa

rther u

p to cross b

ack over

Bea

r Creek on

a footb

ridg

e, an

d it lea

ds to ca

mp

ing

pla

tforms

an

d fire p

it before rejoin

ing

the m

ain

trail.

SNA

PSH

OT

S OF T

HE T

RA

IL 1

. Yo

u can

see alon

g

this trail o

ne o

f the m

ost co

mm

on

ferns in

Bear Lak

e

Reserve, th

e Ch

ristmas fern

. It is called th

e Ch

ristmas

fern b

ecause it stays green

thro

ugh

ou

t the w

inter an

d

becau

se pio

neers u

sed it in

Ch

ristmas d

ecoratio

ns. Plu

s,

if you

pu

ll off a leaflet an

d h

old

it ho

rizo

ntally, yo

u w

ill

see the green

ou

tline o

f Santa C

laus rid

ing h

is sleigh.

see the green

ou

tline o

f Santa C

laus rid

ing h

is sleigh.

1. H

ike slo

wly alo

ng th

is trail and

you

may see tro

ut flo

ating laz

ily

in th

e clear po

ols o

r dartin

g to

hid

e in th

e shad

e.

BE

AR

LA

KE

RE

SE

RV

E S

ITE

MA

P

BEAR LAKE CREEK LOOP TRAILS:PARK LOOP & LOOP

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From ist lower end, on Lake Forest

Drive, this trail follows Bear Creek upstream, crossing the creek

midway on a footbridge from the western to eastern, bank and

the meeting the Bearpen Branch Trail on its upper end, at Bear

Creek Park Drive. Looping off this main trail are two shorter

trails, about .1 miles each. Tha first loop goes through Bear

Creek Park, with its tree houses and stone hearth, before rejoin-

ing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. Theing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. The

second loop leaves the main trail farther up to cross back over

Bear Creek on a footbridge, and it leads to camping platforms

and fire pit before rejoining the main trail.

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. You can see along

this trail one of the most common ferns in Bear Lake

Reserve, the Christmas fern. It is called the Christmas

fern because it stays green throughout the winter and

because pioneers used it in Christmas decorations. Plus,

if you pull off a leaflet and hold it horizontally, you will

see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.

1. Hike slowly along this trail and

you may see trout floating lazily

in the clear pools or darting to

hide in the shade.

BEAR LAKE RESERVE SITE MAP

BEA

R LA

KE C

REEK

LOO

P T

RA

ILS:P

AR

K LO

OP

& LO

OP

TR

AIL D

ESCR

IPTIO

NFrom

ist lower en

d, on

Lake Forest

Drive, th

is trail follow

s Bea

r Creek u

pstrea

m, crossin

g th

e creek

mid

wa

y on a

footbrid

ge from

the w

estern to ea

stern, b

an

k an

d

the m

eeting

the B

earp

en B

ran

ch T

rail on

its up

per en

d, a

t Bea

r

Creek Pa

rk Drive. Loop

ing

off this m

ain

trail a

re two sh

orter

trails, a

bou

t .1 m

iles each

. Th

a first loop

goes th

roug

h B

ear

Creek Pa

rk, with

its tree hou

ses an

d ston

e hea

rth, b

efore rejoin-

ing

the m

ain

trail on

a footb

ridg

e nea

r the w

hite teep

ee. Th

ein

g th

e ma

in tra

il on a

footbrid

ge n

ear th

e wh

ite teepee. T

he

second

loop lea

ves the m

ain

trail fa

rther u

p to cross b

ack over

Bea

r Creek on

a footb

ridg

e, an

d it lea

ds to ca

mp

ing

pla

tforms

an

d fire p

it before rejoin

ing

the m

ain

trail.

SNA

PSH

OT

S OF T

HE T

RA

IL 1

. Yo

u can

see alon

g

this trail o

ne o

f the m

ost co

mm

on

ferns in

Bear Lak

e

Reserve, th

e Ch

ristmas fern

. It is called th

e Ch

ristmas

fern b

ecause it stays green

thro

ugh

ou

t the w

inter an

d

becau

se pio

neers u

sed it in

Ch

ristmas d

ecoratio

ns. Plu

s,

if you

pu

ll off a leaflet an

d h

old

it ho

rizo

ntally, yo

u w

ill

see the green

ou

tline o

f Santa C

laus rid

ing h

is sleigh.

see the green

ou

tline o

f Santa C

laus rid

ing h

is sleigh.

1. H

ike slo

wly alo

ng th

is trail and

you

may see tro

ut flo

ating laz

ily

in th

e clear po

ols o

r dartin

g to

hid

e in th

e shad

e.

Page 3: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

Pets must be on a leash at all times and please remember

to scoop after your pet and dispose of properly.

Please remember, “pack it in - pack it out”. You can help

keep your community clean by not littering and, if you

see litter left behind by someone else, please pick it up and

dispose of it properly.

Never hike alone and make sure you let others knowNever hike alone and make sure you let others know

where you will be.

Know the weather patterns of the area. For example, in

mountainous areas, thunderstorms typically develop in

the early afternoon, so plan to hike early in the day and

be down the mountain by noon.

Campfires are permitted in designated areas only.

Please stay on designated trails and respect privatePlease stay on designated trails and respect private

property.

TR

AIL

& H

IKIN

G T

IPS TRAIL & HIKING TIPS

Here are a few things to remember that will help

make the best of your time exploring our natural

environment.

Make sure to bring water and snack. You may

decide to stay out longer than planned, and even

the most moderate terrain can require a bit of

refueling on occasion.

Dress in layers. Weather in the mountains can

change quickly and unexpectedly.

Carry water repellent outwear to protect againstCarry water repellent outwear to protect against

sudden downpours that occur regularly in the

mountains (especially in the summer months).

Keep an eye out for wildflowers and wildlife. We

have a great diversity of both.

Our trails are constructed for foot traffic only. No

horses, mountain bikes,or vehicular traffic of any

kind are permitted on our trails.kind are permitted on our trails.

Page 4: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

THE JUMP UP

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From the back of the GreetersCottage, the trail climbs stone steps next to Slipstream Creek,passes between two posts, then turns right and winds upwardthrough a brushy meadow to pass between two cottages. Anglingleft up a driveway to Slipstream Lane, the trail then enters the forest just beyond a stone bridge and follows upward the southbank of the creek, before cutting back sharply to cross a ridge.bank of the creek, before cutting back sharply to cross a ridge.The trail ends with a steep climb up several switchbacks to Golden Farm Lane. (To make this hike a loop, walk back.5 miles on Golden Farm Lane.)

WHITE PINE

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. Want to see what a

refrigerator looked like before electricity came to the

mountains? Then look into the stone walled “spring-

house” before you. A farm family once kept milk, meat

and any food that needed refrigeration here in the cold

spring water. 2. Look for a grove of white pine trees on

the far side of Slipstream Creek. You can tellthe far side of Slipstream Creek. You can tell

the age of these trees by counting the rings

of branches that radiate out of each tree’s

trunk like spokes from a wagon wheel. Each

ring marks a year’s growth. 3. As you walk

along, pinch the leaves of the bushes. The

ones that smell aromatic are called

“spicebush”.“spicebush”.

TRAIL STATSLength: 5 milesHiking: Strenuous

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Golden Farm LaneLower trailhead:Greeters CottageT

HE

JU

MP

UP

1.

2.

3.

Page 5: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

THE MEADOWS TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION Starting at Lake Forest Drive, justinside the main gate, the Meadows Trail follows the lowerhalf of Kiesee Creek, passing Golden Farm Hearth and shadedcreekside benches for rest and reflection a long the way.Crossing stepping stones over a small side creek and thenmaking an “S” turn up to Meadow Ridge Court, the trail thenturns left between boulders and follows an old gravel roadbedturns left between boulders and follows an old gravel roadbeddown to Shook Cove Road and Cedar Cliff Lake. To make this a loop, follow Shook Cove Road to the main entrance and LakeForest Drive back to the Greeter’s Cottage.

QUEEN ANNE’S LACE

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. The small meadows you

are hiking though, full of daisies and Queen Anne’s Lace in

the summer, used to be the cleared fields of Golden Farm.

Such meadows do not occur naturally in the Blue Ridge

Mountains, and the thick stands of young yellow poplar and

white pine, sumac bushes and blackberry thickets that grow

beside the trail show nature turning thesebeside the trail show nature turning these

meadows back to forest. The larger trees

standing here and there, with dark

furrowed bark and feathery looking

leaves, they were probably shade

trees in the pastures.

TRAIL STATSLength: .4 milesHiking: Easy

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Lake Forest DriveLower trailhead:Shook Cove Road

TH

E M

EA

DO

WS T

RA

IL

1.

Page 6: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

PAW PAW COVE TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION Starting at Lake Forest Drive near themain gate, this trail follows the upper half of Kiesee Creek,angling across Mill Pond Drive en route and skirting thewestern side of the two mill ponds, before ending at OldStone Chimney in the woods.

PAW PAW FRUIT

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. If you hike to the Old

Stone Chimney in the springs and see clusters of small

tress with large leaves and with deep-purple flowers two

inches wide, you’ve found the Pawpaw. If you are there

in the fall, you may see the tree’s unusual fruit, which

looks like small, brownish bananas. Raccoons, bears,

turkeys, and squirrels eagerly eat this fruit - and the turkeys, and squirrels eagerly eat this fruit - and the

Cherokee Indians and pioneers ate it too! The chorus to an

old folk song goes: “Picking up pawpaw’s, put em’ in your

pocket, way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.” The name

pawpaw is of American Indian origin and is related to the

word papaya. 2. At the upper end of

the trail stands an old stone chimney

with fireplace, making the spot wherewith fireplace, making the spot where

a mountaineer’s cabin once stood.

See if you can make out the remains

of the cabin’s rock foundation.

TRAIL STATSLength: .3 milesHiking: Easy

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Old stone chimneyLower trailhead:Lake Forest Drive

PA

W P

AW

CO

VE

TR

AIL

1.

2.

Page 7: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

MILLPOND CUT-THRU

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From Golden Farm parking lot, crossthe footbridge over a small creek and follow this short trailto the right and up, the cross Mill Pond Drive and thePawpaw Cove Trail.

AMERICAN BEECH

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. The smooth-barked,

multi-trunked tree that you see growing on the bank of

the creek is an American Beech and it may be 100 years

old. Squirrels, chipmunks, grouse, bears and turkeys all

eat the triangular sweet nuts of this tree.

TRAIL STATSLength: .1 milesHiking: Easy

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Mill Pond DriveLower trailhead:Golden Farmparking lot

MIL

DP

ON

D C

UT

-TH

RU

1.

Page 8: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

TRAIL RIDGE TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From the end of Woodbridge Drive, thetrail goes up an old woods road for .1 mile turns left andfollows steep log steps down to and across Boulder Creek.Climbing steeply up the other side of the creek, the trail thenascends several flights of log and stone steps as it makes a .5 mile switchback up the western slope of Trail Ridge, midway coming to a junction with Winding Stairs Trail on the right.coming to a junction with Winding Stairs Trail on the right.The trail ends at Trail Ridge Gap Trailhead on MorningsideDrive.

PILEATED WOODPECKER

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. The steady drum roll and

laughing cries around the forest of Boulder Creek are the

territorial sounds of the pileated woodpecker. Crow-sized,

with flashing black and white wings and with a bright red

crest on the males, the pileated (pronounced PIE-lee-ate-d)

is one of the largest species of woodpeckers in north

America. It drums by pounding on hollow trees with its beak.America. It drums by pounding on hollow trees with its beak.

It can be so starling that when it flies past, the “old timers”

called it the “Lord-God!” bird. 2. The

large, squat, gray barked trees that

grow on the rocky crest of the Trail

Ridge are chestnut oaks. Slow-growing

and built to withstand harsh elements,

these trees may be 300 years old.these trees may be 300 years old.

TRAIL STATSLength: .7 milesHiking: Strenuous

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Pavedd pullout inTrail Ridge Gap, onMorningside DriveLower trailhead:Upper end ofWoodbridge DriveWoodbridge Drive

TR

AIL

RID

GE

TR

AIL

1.

2.

Page 9: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

SWEET BETSY TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From Trail Ridge Gap this trail switchbacks steeply down through a small wooded cove tothe junction of Morningside and Lake Forest Drives, crossinga small, untamed creek along the way. (Loop back to the topby walking up Morningside Drive .2 miles to Box Elder Court,then following the Galax Trail to Buckberry Trail to WindingStairs Trail, which leads back to Trail Ridge Gap.)Stairs Trail, which leads back to Trail Ridge Gap.)

SWEET BETSY

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. The shrubs that you see

are along this trail with shiny, dark green, opposite leaves

are known locally as Sweet Betsy. Crush the leaves and you

will learn why they are also called Carolina allspice. A good

native plant for landscaping, in June this shrub puts out

dark maroon flowers with many petals.

TRAIL STATSLength: .25 milesHiking: Strenuous

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Pavedd pullout inTrail Ridge Gap, onMorningsideLower trailhead:Junction of Morningsideand Lake Forest Drivesand Lake Forest Drives

SW

EE

T B

ET

SY

TR

AIL

1.

Page 10: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

WINDING STAIRS TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From the paved pullout at Trail RidgeGap, Winding Stairs Trail follows an old woods road south on a level grade for .1 miles to a junction with BuckberryTrail, turns sharply back to the right and descends steeply for .3 miles on winding flights of log steps though a woodedcove until it makes a junction with Trail Ridge Trail. (For aloop hike, follow Trail Ridge Trail back up to the trailhead,loop hike, follow Trail Ridge Trail back up to the trailhead,.3 miles.)

RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. The trail gets its name

from a steep flight of log steps that spirals down through

boulders and a grove of leathery-leaved bushes called

rhododendron. Rhododendron means “rose tree” and this

species is the “rosebay” rhododendron, named for its

beautiful rosy-pink blossoms that it displays in early

summer. Rosebay rhododendron is also called the “greatsummer. Rosebay rhododendron is also called the “great

laurel” and, scientifically, Rhododendron maximum,

because it is the largest species of rhododendron in the

Blue Ridge Mountains - the other two

species being the Catawba and the

Carolina rhododendrons.

TRAIL STATSLength: .4 milesHiking: Strenuous

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Paved pullout inTrail Ridge Gap, onMorningside DriveLower trailhead:Junction withTrail Ridge TrailTrail Ridge Trail

WIN

DIN

G S

TA

IRS T

RA

IL

1.

Page 11: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

BUCKBERRY TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION Crossing the upper part of Trail Ridge, this is a connecting trail between Winding Stairs Trail andGalax Trail.

BUCKBERRY

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. If you hike this trail

mid-summer, you’ll see shrubs around 3’ high with glossy

black berries that look like blueberries. A species of the

huckleberry, this native shrub is called the buckberry and

it grows in dense clusters on dry hill sides. Bears love to

eat its berries, and in the fall its leaves turn purplish-red.

TRAIL STATSLength: .3 milesHiking: Strenuous

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Junction withWinding Stairs TrailLower trailhead:Junction withGalax Trail

BU

CK

BE

RR

Y T

RA

IL

1.

Page 12: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

GALAX TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION Starting at Box Elder Court, this trailascends an old woods road for .1 miles to a junction withBuckberry Trail, where it turns left and descends steeplythrough the woods to a stone hearth at Hedgewood Drive.Crossing Hedgewood Drive and entering into the woodsagain, the trail rock hops a small creek and climbs stifflyon log steps to Juneberry Lane.on log steps to Juneberry Lane.

GALAX

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. If you think that you

smell a skunk when you are hiking this trail, think again.

The odor is probably coming from the small, dark-green,

ground hugging plants nearby, called Galax, which can give

off a pungent odor. Ssmelly or not, with its rouond, glossy

leaves, 3” wide, Galax is a beautiful plant and it is often

used by florists in their arrangements. In the summer,used by florists in their arrangements. In the summer,

Galax sends up slender, foot high stalks topped with manny

small white flowers and in the winter time, its leaves turn a

beautiful copper red. 2. Here Galax Trail joins an old skid

path of “lizard’s road” where years ago

loggers used mules and oxen to pull felled

trees down the slopes. The heavy logs wore

a deep groove in the soil. You may be ablea deep groove in the soil. You may be able

to spot the place where the new trail and

the old skid road join.

TRAIL STATSLength: .5 milesHiking: Strenuous

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Box Elder CourtLower trailhead:Juneberry LaneG

ALA

X T

RA

IL

1.2.

Page 13: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

BEARPEN BRANCH TRAIL

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From Grandview Drive, this trail followsBearpen Branch down to its junction with Bear Creek. Thisfirst half of its length, the trail drops very steeply on acontinuous flight of log steps that parallel al 300’ series ofwaterfalls. The trail then comes in quick succesion tojunctions with Mossy Cup and then Slippery Rock Trails onthe right (both of which lead in .1 miles respectively to Mossythe right (both of which lead in .1 miles respectively to MossyCup Court and Slippery Rock Drive). Descending moderatelynow, Bearpen Branch Trail passes several large rock outcropsbefore coming to Bear Creek Park Drive and the start of BearCreek Trail.

BLACK LOCUST

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. Almost all of the wood

used in the trail steps, switchbacks and footbridges in Bear

Lake Reserve are built out of the native black locust tree,

because it is hard, rigid, and non-resistant wood. Old timers

used to swear that if you use black locust for a fence post,

“It’ll stay sound for 80 years and then it’ll turn to stone”.

2. 2. The rock overhangs that you pass on the lower half of the

trail were carved by Bearpen Branch millions

of years ago. Pioneers as well as the Cherokee

Indians before them probably took refuge

from storms beneath these rocks.

TRAIL STATSLength: .5 milesHiking: Strenuous

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:Grandview Driveabove Mossy CupCourtLower trailhead:Bear Creek ParkDrive nearDrive nearAllspice Court

BE

RP

EN

BR

AN

CH

TR

AIL

1.

2.

Page 14: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

BE

AR

LA

KE

RE

SE

RV

E S

ITE

MA

P

BEAR LAKE CREEK LOOP TRAILS:PARK LOOP & LOOP

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From ist lower end, on Lake Forest

Drive, this trail follows Bear Creek upstream, crossing the creek

midway on a footbridge from the western to eastern, bank and

the meeting the Bearpen Branch Trail on its upper end, at Bear

Creek Park Drive. Looping off this main trail are two shorter

trails, about .1 miles each. Tha first loop goes through Bear

Creek Park, with its tree houses and stone hearth, before rejoin-

ing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. Theing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. The

second loop leaves the main trail farther up to cross back over

Bear Creek on a footbridge, and it leads to camping platforms

and fire pit before rejoining the main trail.

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. You can see along

this trail one of the most common ferns in Bear Lake

Reserve, the Christmas fern. It is called the Christmas

fern because it stays green throughout the winter and

because pioneers used it in Christmas decorations. Plus,

if you pull off a leaflet and hold it horizontally, you will

see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.

1. Hike slowly along this trail and

you may see trout floating lazily

in the clear pools or darting to

hide in the shade.

BE

AR

LA

KE

RE

SE

RV

E S

ITE

MA

P

BEAR LAKE CREEK LOOP TRAILS:PARK LOOP & LOOP

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From ist lower end, on Lake Forest

Drive, this trail follows Bear Creek upstream, crossing the creek

midway on a footbridge from the western to eastern, bank and

the meeting the Bearpen Branch Trail on its upper end, at Bear

Creek Park Drive. Looping off this main trail are two shorter

trails, about .1 miles each. Tha first loop goes through Bear

Creek Park, with its tree houses and stone hearth, before rejoin-

ing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. Theing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. The

second loop leaves the main trail farther up to cross back over

Bear Creek on a footbridge, and it leads to camping platforms

and fire pit before rejoining the main trail.

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. You can see along

this trail one of the most common ferns in Bear Lake

Reserve, the Christmas fern. It is called the Christmas

fern because it stays green throughout the winter and

because pioneers used it in Christmas decorations. Plus,

if you pull off a leaflet and hold it horizontally, you will

see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.

1. Hike slowly along this trail and

you may see trout floating lazily

in the clear pools or darting to

hide in the shade.

TRAIL STATSTotal Length: .6 milesHiking: Easy

TRAILHEADS

Upper trailhead:On Bear CreekPark DriveLower trailhead:Pullout besideBrear CreekBridgeBridge

BE

AR

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EE

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OO

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2.

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AR

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RV

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ITE

MA

P

BEAR LAKE CREEK LOOP TRAILS:PARK LOOP & LOOP

TRAIL DESCRIPTION From ist lower end, on Lake Forest

Drive, this trail follows Bear Creek upstream, crossing the creek

midway on a footbridge from the western to eastern, bank and

the meeting the Bearpen Branch Trail on its upper end, at Bear

Creek Park Drive. Looping off this main trail are two shorter

trails, about .1 miles each. Tha first loop goes through Bear

Creek Park, with its tree houses and stone hearth, before rejoin-

ing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. Theing the main trail on a footbridge near the white teepee. The

second loop leaves the main trail farther up to cross back over

Bear Creek on a footbridge, and it leads to camping platforms

and fire pit before rejoining the main trail.

SNAPSHOTS OF THE TRAIL 1. You can see along

this trail one of the most common ferns in Bear Lake

Reserve, the Christmas fern. It is called the Christmas

fern because it stays green throughout the winter and

because pioneers used it in Christmas decorations. Plus,

if you pull off a leaflet and hold it horizontally, you will

see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.see the green outline of Santa Claus riding his sleigh.

1. Hike slowly along this trail and

you may see trout floating lazily

in the clear pools or darting to

hide in the shade.

Page 15: Trail Map - Bear Lake Reserve · Trail Map THE TRAILS OF BEAR LAKE RESERVE, PHASE I WELCOME! SAFETY Trail Ridge... Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows... Hickory Mountain

Trail Map

THE TRAILSOF BEAR LAKERESERVE, PHASE I

WELCOME!

SAFETY

Trail Ridge...

Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows...

Hickory Mountain... Kiesee Creek... The names

alone tell you that Bear Lake Reserve, located in

the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has a lot

of wild and varied terrain for you to discover. And

the hiking trails fo Bear Lake Reserve, as they wind

through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops,through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops,

and along cascading creeks, have been designed to

lead you there. So, step out the door of your cottage

and head towards the nearest trail!

is an on-going project and that trail routes may

undergo changes or extensions that may not be

reflected on the latest available map.

Please keep in mind that trail-buiding

bearlakereserve.com

412 Lake Forest Drive, P.O. Box 96

Tuckasegee, NC 28783

828.293.3455 MAIN

828.293.3864 ACTIVITIES DESK

COURTESY OF USDA-NRC PLAANTS DATABASE KENTUCKYNATIVE PLANT SOCIETY/BRITTON, NL AND A. BROWN.1913 ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF THE NORTHERN STATESAND CANADA; AMERICAN BEECH VOL. 1:615; GALAXVOL. 2:707; RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM VOL. 2:8681;SWEET BETSY VOL. 1:523.

Trail Map

THE TRAILSOF BEAR LAKERESERVE, PHASE I

WELCOME!

SAFETY

Trail Ridge...

Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows...

Hickory Mountain... Kiesee Creek... The names

alone tell you that Bear Lake Reserve, located in

the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has a lot

of wild and varied terrain for you to discover. And

the hiking trails fo Bear Lake Reserve, as they wind

through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops,through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops,

and along cascading creeks, have been designed to

lead you there. So, step out the door of your cottage

and head towards the nearest trail!

is an on-going project and that trail routes may

undergo changes or extensions that may not be

reflected on the latest available map.

Please keep in mind that trail-buiding

bearlakereserve.com

412 Lake Forest Drive, P.O. Box 96

Tuckasegee, NC 28783

828.293.3455 MAIN

828.293.3864 ACTIVITIES DESK

COURTESY OF USDA-NRC PLAANTS DATABASE KENTUCKYNATIVE PLANT SOCIETY/BRITTON, NL AND A. BROWN.1913 ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF THE NORTHERN STATESAND CANADA; AMERICAN BEECH VOL. 1:615; GALAXVOL. 2:707; RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM VOL. 2:8681;SWEET BETSY VOL. 1:523.

Trail Map

THE TRAILSOF BEAR LAKERESERVE, PHASE I

WELCOME!

SAFETY

Trail Ridge...

Paw Paw Cove... Bearpen Branch, The Meadows...

Hickory Mountain... Kiesee Creek... The names

alone tell you that Bear Lake Reserve, located in

the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, has a lot

of wild and varied terrain for you to discover. And

the hiking trails fo Bear Lake Reserve, as they wind

through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops, through deep green forest, past giant rock outcrops,

and along cascading creeks, have been designed to

lead you there. So, step out the door of your cottage

and head towards the nearest trail!

is an on-going project and that trail routes may

undergo changes or extensions that may not be

reflected on the latest available map.

Please keep in mind that trail-buiding

bearlakereserve.com

412 Lake Forest Drive, P.O. Box 96

Tuckasegee, NC 28783

828.293.3455 MAIN

828.293.3864 ACTIVITIES DESK

COURTESY OF USDA-NRC PLAANTS DATABASE KENTUCKYNATIVE PLANT SOCIETY/BRITTON, NL AND A. BROWN.1913 ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF THE NORTHERN STATESAND CANADA; AMERICAN BEECH VOL. 1:615; GALAXVOL. 2:707; RHODODENDRON MAXIMUM VOL. 2:8681;SWEET BETSY VOL. 1:523.

Trai

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