LABOR DAY AT QUARRY PARK
As I have played Reynolds Park Golf Course in Winston-Salem since I was a teenager, I have known of the quarry on the ridge behind the fourth hole...even heard stories of cliff diving teenagers...but never ventured there until today.
We elected to start at the newly constructed Salem Lake Marina and access the Salem Creek Greenway where it intersects with the Salem Lake Trail just below the dam.
The Salem Creek Greenway is a paved urban trail that links Salem Lake with downtown Winston-Salem. It has existed for many years and is well used by bikers. It generally follows the Salem Creek towards Old Salem. Joining us today was Whitdawg and her two children, Awesome Possum and Billy Buck. I billed this hike as a two mile out and two mile back...boy was I wrong! But they were good sports about the extra two miles!
As I have never walked on this portion of the greenway I was ever so pleased with the scenery. Salem Creek was alive and we were able to enjoy some very nice creek views. Me and Billy Buck set the pace and soon found ourselves playing in the water.
The greenway is located between the railroad and the creek and generally follows the sewer line easement which occasionally is a bit ripe to the smell.
The greenway passes over a low water bridge where there is evidently a nice fishing hole. I don't think the fisherman minded much as Billy Buck had to check out the water.
Just past the bridge the creek narrows between and rock wall and the railroad embankment. Some days this portion of the trail may be underwater I suspect.
Just below the narrows there is a small waterfall of note and some fast moving water that garnered my attention.
After passing the narrows, the greenway emerges into the sunshine and follows the back nine of Reynolds Park Golf Course. Number 18 is rated as one of the tougher holes in the county. The tee box is next to the greenway.
Passing the golf course the greenway turns to go beneath the Reynolds Park Road but due to the construction of the new bridge we found ourselves crossing the road and proceeding down the sidewalk of Peachtree Street. Soon we found the
greenway but it was going away from where I knew the quarry was so I hustled up the street and found the Peachtree Greenway. Message to the City of Winston-Salem... you need better signs directing folks to the Peachtree Greenway....second you need to slow down the traffic on Peachtree Street if you expect hikers and bikers to cross that street to connect the Salem Creek Greenway to the Peachtree Greenway....or someone is going to get hurt....so watch yourself here folks!
The entrance to the Quarry Park is about a quarter of mile up a sloping paved path. The entrance is marked with a large boulder from the quarry and a brand new sign. The trail slopes downward from the entrance to a bridge. There you get the first glimpse of the quarry and its signature observation bridge.
The paved path from the park bridge to the observation bridge is a thumper of a climb of about a quarter mile. Once you get there, there are several wonderful overlooks of the quarry to enjoy.
These overlooks are on each side of the observation bridge. The picture above is looking at the south quarry wall from an overlook perched on the eastern wall which can be seen in the picture below.
But the real treat is climbing out on the observation bridge. It is a metal beam structure that extends over a 100 feet above the quarry. The floor of the bridge is made from metal grates giving you an extra view.
On Labor Day the Quarry Park was a very popular place to be. We had to wait our turn to take in the view. Whitdawg and Billy Buck joined me enjoying in the view of the distant skyline.
I got a feeling that this park will soon be a popular view for marriage proposals, concerts, picnics and visitors to the Twin City. But after hiking three miles to take in the view, me and Billy Buck had to rest our dawgs. For those of you not interested in a hike, you can access the park from Butler Street and there is a large parking lot. It is also a handicapped accessible venue too!
The three mile hike back to the marina was much easier as it was mostly down hill. As we approached the low water bridge, Whitdawg pointed out a Blue Heron perched on a log in the middle of the creek.
We tip toed around and he seemed unconcerned of our presence as we stood on the low water bridge to take in the scene.
Finally we disturbed him enough and he took flight... a majestic sight for sure.
What I found today was a new urban trail. A six mile greenway trail that has wonderful creek views that ends with a skyline view of the city over a quarry lake...Trail is rated a 9 only because of the poor directions to the Peachtree Greenway....Scenery is a 9... access is a 10...as there are several places to jump on this trail either by foot or bicycle. Effort to view is slightly skewed toward effort...after all it is a six mile trudge that you would not want to take in 90 degree weather. Overall a 9 ranked hike, one of the best urban hikes imaginable. The City of Winston-Salem has a gem with this addition to the Salem Lake Loop. You can make this hike a 12 miler by adding the lake loop. I would guess it is more suited for bicycles but I loved it!
