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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
CR
EE
K L
OO
P T
RA
IL:
PA
RL L
OO
P &
LO
OP
1.
2.
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 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
l Map
TH
E T
RA
ILS
OF B
EA
R L
AK
ER
ESE
RV
E,
PH
ASE I
WE
LCO
ME
!
SAFE
TY
Tra
il R
idge
...
Paw
Paw
Cove
... B
earp
en B
ran
ch, T
he
Mea
dow
s...
Hic
kory
Mou
nta
in...
Kie
see
Cre
ek...
Th
e n
ames
alon
e te
ll y
ou
th
at B
ear
Lake
Res
erve
, loca
ted
in
the
hea
rt o
f th
e B
lue
Rid
ge M
ou
nta
ins,
has
a l
ot
of
wil
d a
nd
var
ied
ter
rain
for
you
to d
isco
ver.
An
d
the
hik
ing
trai
ls f
o B
ear
Lake
Res
erve
, as
they
win
d
thro
ugh
dee
p g
reen
fore
st, p
ast
gian
t ro
ck o
utc
rop
s,th
rou
gh d
eep
gre
en f
ore
st, p
ast
gian
t ro
ck o
utc
rop
s,
and
alo
ng
casc
adin
g cr
eeks,
hav
e b
een
des
ign
ed t
o
lead
you
th
ere.
So, s
tep
ou
t th
e d
oor
of
you
r co
ttag
e
and
hea
d t
ow
ard
s th
e n
eare
st t
rail
!
is a
n o
n-g
oin
g p
roje
ct a
nd
th
at t
rail
rou
tes
may
un
der
go c
han
ges
or
exte
nsi
on
s th
at m
ay n
ot
be
refl
ecte
d o
n t
he
late
st a
vail
able
map
.
Plea
se k
eep
in
min
d t
hat
tra
il-b
uid
ing
bearl
akere
serv
e.c
om
41
2 L
ake F
ore
st D
rive, P.O
. B
ox 9
6
Tu
ckase
gee, N
C 2
87
83
82
8.2
93
.34
55
MA
IN
82
8.2
93
.38
64
AC
TIV
ITIE
S D
ESK
CO
UR
TESY
OF U
SD
A-N
RC
PLA
AN
TS D
AT
AB
ASE K
EN
TU
CK
YN
AT
IVE P
LA
NT
SO
CIE
TY
/BR
ITT
ON
, N
L A
ND
A. B
RO
WN
.1913 I
LLU
ST
RA
TED
FLO
RA
OF T
HE N
OR
TH
ER
N S
TA
TES
AN
D C
AN
AD
A; A
MER
ICA
N B
EEC
H V
OL. 1:6
15; G
ALA
XV
OL. 2:7
07; R
HO
DO
DEN
DR
ON
MA
XIM
UM
VO
L. 2:8
681;
SW
EET
BET
SY
VO
L. 1:5
23.