Penny's Bend Wildflower Hike

4000 Snowhill Rd,Durham NC 27712

21 March, 2021

Description

2 mile guided hike along Penny's Bend. This hike is easy to moderate with one short, steep stretch that rewards with a bluff-top river view. This trail passes through open fields, deep forests, and rocky outcrops in less than two miles. Easy to moderate walking with one short, steep stretch that rewards with a bluff-top view of the river. Penny’s Bend is a horseshoe bend in the river formed by diabase rock. The underlying diabase here makes the soil basic, supporting plants unusual to the Piedmont. Spring wildflowers abound, including spectacular displays of Dutchman’s Breeches some years. If there have been recent rains, parts of the trail may be muddy and a walking stick is helpful. Link to a map of the trails at Penny’s Bend: http://enotrails.com/pennys-bend-area.htm Directions: Coming from the west, take Duke Street North from I-85 (Exit 176). Turn right on Murray Avenue (sign to the Museum of Life and Science), go until it reaches Roxboro Street, turn left and look for the brown sign to Stagville. [Coming from the east, you can take Roxboro Street directly from I-85.] Turn right here on Old Oxford Road. Go about three miles until Old Oxford crosses the Eno. Immediately after the bridge, turn left on Snowhill Road. Penny’s Bend parking lot will be on the left immediately after you turn.