Capitol Area Greenway - Falls River Trail 10

Capitol Area Greenway - Falls River Trail 10 Report 1: The Trail 1.1 miles

Background:

For those visiting Raleigh and new residents of Raleigh should be aware of the wonderful park system and the "Capitol Area Greenway."

The "Capitol Area Greenway" is a project in process. Started in March 1974 by the city council of Raleigh it has a master plan to make sure that there is open space for residents throughout the city. It is being built one trail, one park and one community area at a time.

Today the city boasts more than 50 miles of trails connecting many of the more than 3000 acres of city park land.

In 1996 Hurricane Fran badly damaged the parks and trails throughout the city. A clearing and rebuilding was required the years immediately following the storm. Today the city is well underway on its project to create links between the greenways and realize the original plan. Many of the trails are still to be connected, while those that are create wonderful off road access to many parts of the city for bikers, hikers and runners.

Falls River Trail - Report 1
How to reach

One entry is on the south side of Falls River Avenue just past Farrington Grove Drive. There is only on street parking here and because of the relatively busy nature of Falls River Avenue parking on a side street would be advised.

The trail is bisected by Falls River Avenue near Summerton Drive and again the only choice is on street parking.

The other trail end is on Walkertown Drive near Tanners Mill Place. This is literally around the corner from Summerton Drive. Again on street parking seems the only option. The Parks and Recreation map shows parking at the nearby swim club but I don't know how the members would feel about this. If the city has some kind of agreement, they do nothing to make it explicit.

The trail report:

This is a very nice trail in every sense of the word. Each time one travels this trail it is a new experience.

The easiest entry point is near Farrington Grove as the number of side streets is plentiful.

The entry is marked by a city sign, posts and a yellow bar in the center of the trail to prevent unwanted vehicles from entering. The usual prohibitions are posted for those who want to ride their horse, motorized vehicle or hunting rifle. All of these are not permitted.

From this entry point I am immediately plunged into a semi forested area. Though houses are not far to my right, they vanish behind a curtain of trees.

To my left is a smaller curtain of trees with a fence behind it. Behind the fence is a huge hill, green with grass. This is one of the areas landfills though it doesn't seem so.

On this day I am greeted by a doe; a deer; a female deer; a large white tail deer to be exact. She is browsing beside the fence and lingers as she stares at me. I, to be polite, stare back. She looks quite well fed and has one leg bent ready to flee.

I didn't move for what seemed like an eternity, finally I moved. As I did she charged off along a hidden path close to the fence.

Then I continued down the trail. Just a short bit along the trail is a side trail that leads through to a neighborhood without really impinging on the natural environment. The trail is level for a while. The trees to the right, toward civilization, are older and denser than the trees to the left which are trying to conceal the results of civilization as we know it.

After passing a very large tree on the left and an open area beyond, the trail goes downward toward a stream. Here the forest is complete on both sides of the trail. This trail wanders along the stream, to the left, turning every time the stream turns.

Birds dart out of the hazy forest covering across the trail and back into a soft darkness that marks a true forest. I recognize Oak, Maple and Sycamore trees though the maples and oaks come in a number of varieties.

I am still unable to note with certainty many of the trees laden with seeds and nuts, though I know some must be Beech, Locust and Poplar.

The trail goes down for a while and then it starts uphill for some time. All the time it follows a stream. On this particular day the stream is just a shadow of itself.

The trees show their displeasure with the dwindling stream by turning yellow and in a few cases a crispy brown.

Somewhere along the rise up from the low point in the trail I come upon a glimpse of civilization. On the left is the forest and stream. On the right are houses and a number of plantings that are from a totally different environment.

There are huge plants that look like corn stalks without corn. These look like plants dinosaurs would be happy to roam among. Next to these are tall purple flowers, adorned in giant butterflies, most in bright yellow and black. Other butterflies are gray and black. All the butterflies have the distinct shape of swallowtails, independent of the coloring.

Next to is a garden of smaller pink and red flowers. I guess this is for the smaller butterflies and moths that would get dizzy at the heights of the purple flowers.

The next garden is full of cat and nine tails, something you might see next to a pond or in a marsh. Neither a pond nor marsh is visible here.

It was really quite a treat seeing the variety that the homeowners have introduced. The seeming flock of butterflies, really large butterflies, was a real treat in every visual sense.

The trail continues upward at a gentle slope and is easy to hike. Though there is a clear break in the shade at this gap, the trees quickly close in on the trail past this point. Several times along the way I see signs of small animals moving near the side of the path, but on this trip they elude revealing themselves. Except for a squirrel that decides that if he doesn't move I can't see him. I let him enjoy his success at hiding.

I travel upward along the gentle slope until it is nearly flat again. Some small yellow birds with black wings flitter by.

Shortly I reach a brick stairs that leads to a road. Here at Falls River Avenue I must cross a street with a steady stream of cars. This is a place where parents need to be especially vigilante as cars come from both directions rather quickly. From near the end of school to the end of rush hour (3-6pm) this road can be a bit difficult on the nerves.

Across the road I continue down a set of brick stairs to the paved trail. It continues on a slightly upward slope from here to the end. On an earlier trek along this part of the trail I encountered several deer and a few rabbits. Today I see only an occasional bird and a number of flying insects.

This portion of the trail leads me through first a forested section of the trail. Then what seems like the end brings me out into an electrical right of way. This is a short trail that has many field flowers along the way. Golden Rod is the prominent plant this time. Last visit here the most common plant was a daisy like plant or weed. There was also a smattering of Queen Anne's Lace with some strange green insects resting on the white flowers.

At this point I come to the end of the trail on Watertown Drive. The trail is nicely adorned at this end with some colorful flowers.

There is no point along the trail where there are any maps or other information signs to orient the first time hiker/walker. Unlike Shelley Lake and Lake Lynn with there clear maps posted at key points, there is none along this trail.

The trail does have two benches which, though nice, which I would think is far too few for a one plus mile trail. Near the start point of the trail there are some parks which would be a good end point for those with younger children.

Though there were no vultures on this day, on past trips here I have seen both Turkey Vultures and same types of hawks.

The Park's and Recreation folks have developed a truly beautiful trail here. The trail has a number of interesting features including native plants, wildlife and a marriage of a growing city; an environmentally important trail; and a large landfill. All of these being present side by side in a harmony that might not be expected.

It will be interesting to see if they can find a way to connect it to the Beaver Dam Trail just across Durant Road. It would be cool to see a bridge or tunnel link these two trails and neighborhoods.

Recommendations:

Bikers: Good for short ride crossing only one street. Some moderate hills are on the trail.

Hikers: Good, open trail hike on paved surface. Round trip is 2.2 miles primarily through woods. Minimal urban intrusions are found on the trail. Deer, rabbits and various birds are frequently sighted along the trail.

Older Walkers: Fair. The trail only has only a couple of benches for resting. The trail is wide and well paved. The hike along the trails offers a lot of opportunities for shade and though it does have some hills the grade is only moderate.

Very Young Walkers: Fair. Trail is wide and flat. There are no facilities along the trail and only a couple of benches for resting. The length of the trail is relatively short and by starting in the center of the trail and only doing one end of the trail the distance can be reduced. Young walkers would enjoy encountering a deer, a vulture or a rabbit on the trail.

Baby Strollers: Excellent flat trail with some hills. Trail is wide but offers shade along most of its length, to the sun.

Roller Skaters: Excellent. Good short trail with some challenging hills. This is not the best choice for first time roller skaters. Beaver Dam Trail on the other side of Durant Road would be a better choice.

Picnickers: Not the best choice no tables and only two benches on the trail. A picnic is doable with some planning.

Birders: This trail is often home to some interesting birds. Vultures, blackbirds and various hawks often search the trail and near by power right of way for carrion. Song birds and forest birds can often be seen along the stream, either washing or foraging for food. Numerous insects, nuts and berries attract associated birds.

Others: A host of plant life, tree life, animals and insects make this a fine place for people interested in art, photography, entomology and other areas.