Middle Crabtree Trail 2009

Raleigh Parks Review January 7th

On a fine January week day, the Middle Crabtree Trail is clear and open. During weekdays, there are few people traveling the trail. Max ran into two folks walking their dogs.

On weekends, this same trail is packed with regular Raleigh citizens who enjoy the trail. The main use of the trail on weekends is by bikers who like the long gentle trail and the connections to other Raleigh Greenway trails for distance.

Max found the trail to have some branches lying around from the heavy winds this morning.

The Canadian Geese have moved here from their other haunts for the winter. There are fewer gulls to compete with along this greenway. Hawks and vultures still patrol the air above the trail, but they need to keep an eye out for the helicopters that swing through looking for a place where some new company can build another building.

Small birds, and sometimes not so small, continue to inhabit the underbrush along the trail.

Max didn't see any deer today, but did see a lot of signs that they have visited the trail side. Development along the northern side of the trail has reduced the forest by half, which may soon end most wildlife sightings along the trail.

For now, the trail is intact and accessible from both ends.

This trail is alright for runners, but the heavy bike traffic during the weekends might suggest using it during the weeks.

Bikers like this trail and often come onto the trail from other connecting trails as part of a longer bike ride than any one trail affords.

This is a good trail for people pushing strollers as part of it is long and flat on most of the trail. There is a rise in the center from the stream level up to the height of Capital Blvd.

This is a good trail if you are older and cannot manage hills. Though the Raleigh Blvd. end is handicapped accessible, the parking is distantly located on Crabtree Blvd. off Capital Blvd. A better choice, though not as scenic, is to enter at the entrance off McNeal Street, which is off Wake Forest Rd.

Bird lovers should enjoy the rich diversity of birds that inhabit this trail. The Raleigh Blvd. end is the most photogenic as it travels through a watery area along the trail. The middle of the trail near Capital Blvd. has great habitat for foraging birds of a wide variety near the railroad bridge.

Max suggests that the visitor to Raleigh may want to visit Middle Crabtree Trail. The McNeal Rd. end of the trail is nearer to places to get food or take a break. The Raleigh Blvd. end is better if you hope to see the scenic end of the trail.

Max wishes you a fine visit to one of Raleigh's best trails and parks.

Max writes about greenways, rare diseases, timely topics, places to eat, travel and other issues of interest. He encourages you to add your comments.

Link one is about Middle Crabtree Trail.

Link two shows a map of Raleigh Greenway system.

Link three is about Middle Crabtree during the drought.