portage around the dam and follow 

 Rockyhock Creek to the Chowan River. 

 The creek is lined with a canopy of 

 mature trees as well as views of 

 neighboring farmland. 



Wildlife 

 Viewing Trails 



• Upper Little River — This trail 

 provides a half-day outing from the 

 river's headwaters to the Wildlife 

 Resources Commission's boat ramp on 

 Hall's Creek. The trail can be traveled 

 as a loop since the flow is usually very 

 slow and will give you the opportunity 

 to return to the access without much 

 effort. The river is a haven for wood 

 ducks, neotropical songbirds and other 

 wildlife species. If you paddle quietly, 

 you might glimpse a white-tailed deer. 



• Upper and Lower Milltail Creek — 

 These streams are located within the 

 Alligator River National Wildlife 

 Refuge, and you will probably spot 

 birds that call the refuge home or that 

 stop by during their migration. These 

 trails also pass through a variety of 

 plant communities, varying from 

 typical marsh habitats to hardwood and 

 pine forests. Located at the access near 

 the old community of Buffalo City is 

 the Sandy Ridge hiking trail, which 

 enters the woodlands on the refuge. 



• South Lake Trail — Located on the 

 Alligator National Wildlife Refuge, this 

 trail follows the edges of a protected 

 estuary with many small creeks and 

 coves to explore. Because of a healthy 

 fish population, you'll have a good 

 opportunity to spot osprey or other fish- 

 eating birds feeding. Surrounded by a 

 pristine environment, you can quickly 

 remove yourself from any signs of 

 civilization. 



• Lower and Upper Scuppernong River 

 Trails — These trails begin at the 

 Columbia visitor's center, which is 

 managed by the Partnership for the 



Sounds. Near the beginning of the 

 trails, the adjacent lands fall within the 

 Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife 

 Refuge and are inhabited by native 

 wildlife as well as migratory birds. 

 Since the riverbanks are largely 

 undeveloped, you may see black bear 

 or white-tailed deer swimming across 

 the river. The two trails total 17 miles 

 and can test the ability of even 

 experienced canoeists. The trail can be 

 traveled in segments, and the adjoin- 

 ing Riders and Second creeks allow 

 you to experience smaller waterways 

 and shorter outings. 



• Lake Phelps Trail — The edge of 

 Lake Phelps, located at Pettigrew 

 State Park, is dotted with cypress trees 

 and provides an opportunity to see a 

 variety of birds and animals that make 

 their home there. The lake is a popular 

 fishing hole, so you can test your 

 fishing skills and perhaps catch 

 supper. While on Lake Phelps, pay 

 particular attention to the weather 

 conditions because the lake can 

 quickly develop large waves if storms 

 pass over. Consider camping at 

 Pettigrew State Park and visiting the 

 adjacent Somerset Place State Historic 

 Site. Another bonus is the park's 

 hiking and biking trails, including one 

 that passes by several state champion 

 trees. 



• Lake Mattamuskeet Trail — While 

 on this trail, located in the Lake 

 Mattamuskeet National Wildlife 

 Refuge, you will see a variety of birds 

 and mammals. The trail follows the 

 rim canal and then traverses sections 

 of the lake dotted with cypress trees. 

 Some of the trees contain osprey 

 nests. During the migratory season, 



a variety of waterfowl visits the lake, 

 and because the main purpose of the 

 refuge is to shelter migrating birds, 

 it is closed to boats and canoes from 

 November to March. During this 

 time, you can explore the old pumping 

 station and the hiking and automobile 

 trails. 



• Tul I Creek — You'll set out near the 

 mouth of Tull Creek and canoe up- 

 stream through almost still water, 

 passing thickets of pine trees and 

 marshes. Residential development 

 reaches to the banks of the trail, but the 

 expanses of woodland offer a chance to 

 view a variety of animals, birds and 

 plants. 



Historic Settings 



• Pembroke and Queen Anne Creeks — 

 These trails carry you along Edenton's 

 historic waterfront and offer views of 

 the historic homes, buildings and relics 

 of times gone by, such as old fish 

 houses and piers. Pembroke Creek is 

 somewhat developed and is used during 

 warm weather for waterskiing by locals, 

 so exercise caution during this time. 

 The banks are lined with mature trees, 

 many dripping with Spanish moss. The 

 section of the trail along the Edenton 

 waterfront is part of the Albemarle 

 Sound, and the water can become quite 

 rough on windy or stormy days. A 

 walking tour of Edenton's many 

 historic homes and buildings can be 

 combined with a canoe trip to make a 

 pleasurable journey into North 

 Carolina's past. 



• Mackeys/Kendrick Creek — This trail 

 begins at the old fishing village of 

 Mackeys near the Albemarle Sound, 

 where several old fish houses are in 

 view. It has stretches of high banks that 

 provide habitat for many upland 

 hardwood species usually not seen 

 along coastal streams. 



Snort Outings 



• Dillard Creek — Beginning at the old 

 milldam, you'll travel this short, scenic 

 trail in a morning or afternoon and pass 

 through stands of mature trees border- 

 ing both banks. The mouth of the creek 

 becomes wide as it dumps its murky, 

 acidic waters into the Chowan River. 



Continued 



COASTWATCH 13 



