Triangle Land Conservancy: Backyard Adventure

Lower Haw and Animal Paws

Are you sticking with your New Year’s resolution, or is it as forgotten as that ornament that rolled under the couch? Maybe you resolved to get more exercise...or to get in touch with nature more often...or to take time to savor all the wonderful sights and sounds of the Triangle. Well, this month’s Backyard Adventure (and actually all of our Backyard Adventures) can help you keep any of these resolutions or get them right back on track.

The Details

The weather is cool and crisp, so what better time to head for a hike along the Haw River? Beginning at the bridge on U.S. 64, follow the fisherman’s trail northwest through the Lower Haw State Natural Area. The chiggers, ticks and mosquitoes are nowhere to be found, and the silence is only broken by the rustling leaves underfoot, the babbling river, and the occasional call of a great blue heron. See a map of the trail and surrounding area.

TLC assisted in the acquisition of this property by the State in 2003. The Lower Haw State Natural Area is the former Haw River Division of Duke Forest. Identified in the 1992 Chatham County Natural Heritage Inventory as an area of statewide importance, the property boasts many significant features, including habitat for rare species and more than four miles of river and stream buffer to protect the water quality of Jordan Lake, the drinking water source for many Triangle-region communities.

You’ll determine for yourself how long you would like to hike, since you will return on the same trail. You could hike just around the bend, or all the way to Bynum and back.

When you’re finished, head to Pittsboro for a bite to eat at the S&T Soda Shoppe. Stepping into this local destination is like traveling back in time. The marble countertop, friendly faces and 1920s decor – not to mention the fabulous shakes and sundaes – will have you coming back for more. Be sure to bring your appetite and a few friends to help you polish off the banana split!

You’ll want to leave the catnip in the car during this last stop. Visit the Carnivore Preservation Trust (CPT) and get close to the big cats, binturongs and kinkajous. CPT began in 1981 as a breeding facility for vanishing keystone carnivores – species critical to the survival of their ecosystems. Today, CPT is a wildlife sanctuary, providing homes to carnivores in need of rescue and educating the public about what threatens these animals: in the wild, in the pet trade and in the entertainment industry. The Carnivore Preservation Trust is offering special off-season rates for guided tours through the end of February: $10 per person for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 4 - 12, and free for children 3 and under. Be sure to call ahead and make a reservation to tour this home of tigers and jaguars and leopards. Oh my!

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What they’re saying

From Yahoo!
1920s-style soda shoppe: Great food, excellent service, and the ice cream is incredible. Generous portions served all around. Shop is small and crowded most of the time, guess that’s a sign that people like coming back.

A REASON TO GO TO PITTSBORO FROM ANYWHERE: I recently visited the small town of Pittsboro when I was asked to eat lunch there. The food was great the service also the owner took the time to show me around the down and upstairs. I would travel to that soda shop from anywhere in the world it’s wonderful!!!!!!!

From Triangle Citysearch
Set back and eat up. Just save room for the ice cream! You just cannot go to mom and pop restaurants like this any more. Great homemade chicken salad like mom use to make, plus great grill food! Love the place!

S&T's Soda Shoppe is a great place to grab something to eat (the burgers are out of this world) and finish it off with the largest 1 and 2 scoops of ice cream in the area. With the old soda shoppe style, you're sure to step back in time to the simpler days when the people were as much a part of the business as the good or service.

Directions

Locator/Trail map

To the Lower Haw State Natural Area:
The Lower Haw State Natural Area runs along both sides of the Haw River from Bynum to US 64. This walk is on the east side of the Haw, beginning at US 64 (between Apex and Pittsboro).

From Durham and Chapel Hill: Take 15-501 south toward Pittsboro. Take the US 64 Bypass east toward Raleigh (right exit). Follow US 64 approximately four miles to the Haw River. Immediately after crossing the Haw River bridge turn right onto a small gravel road. Park at the end of the road.

From Raleigh / Cary: Take US 64 west, a little more than three miles past Jordan Lake. After you cross the bridge over the Haw River, make a U-turn onto US 64 east and cross the bridge again. Immediately after crossing the bridge heading east, turn right onto a small gravel road. Park at the end of the road.

From the Lower Haw State Natural Area to the S & T Soda Shoppe:
Exit the parking area heading east on US 64, making a U-turn at the first opportunity (about 0.3 miles) onto US 64 west. After crossing the Haw, follow 1 mile and take exit 386 for US 64 business - Pittsboro. Follow about 3 miles to downtown Pittsboro. At the courthouse traffic circle, take the first exit onto Hillsboro Street. S & T Soda Shoppe is on the left toward the end of the first block. On-street parking is available.

From S & T Soda Shoppe to the Carnivore Preservation Trust:
Take Hillsboro Street back to the courthouse traffic circle. At the circle, take the third exit onto US 64 East (business). Proceed about 1.8 miles and turn right onto Hanks Chapel Road. Proceed about 1.5 miles and the entrance to Carnivore Preservation Trust will be on the right.

Check back next month when we offer a romantic getaway to Wood’s Mill Bend!

Adventures
Click below to find information about each of our Backyard Adventures

Milling About in Orange County
(September 2008)

Paddles and Battles
(October 2008)

Agriculture Empires
(November 2008)

All Aboard for White Pines & Studio Finds
(December 2008)

Lower Haw and Animal Paws
(January 2009)

Rocky River Romance
(February 2009)

Swift Creek Skateaway
(March 2009)

U-Pick Raleigh
(April 2009)

Flowers and Farm Life
(May 2009)

Juneteenth
(June 2009)

Harmony on the Haw
(July 2009)

Birds, Blooms and Baseball
(August 2009)

Be sure to sign up for TLC E-News to learn about new itineraries as they become available.

Also, check out Places to Visit to see other options for adventure in the Triangle.