Hiking The Red Cockaded Woodpecker Trail

Sports & Recreations

  • Author Shannon Rae Treasure
  • Published June 12, 2011
  • Word count 445

The trail is located in the Piedmont National Wildlife Forest which takes around 2.9 miles to hike. This loop trail is moderately rated with regard to the difficulty of its terrain. The loop trail is a refuge to red cockaded woodpeckers and is open to public access all year round during daytime. This is a habitat designated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the endangered species of woodpeckers and other wildlife living in the area. Dogs are allowed on this trail and can be allowed off their leash during small game season. There are designated camping and open fires area in the campground

The start of the trail is as at the back of the wooden kiosk where there is a stone trailhead that provides an informative history of the place. This was established in the 1930’s by the federal government when they bought this to manage and protect the wildlife in the area. The start of the path leads to a gravel road to the right where it descends to Allison Lake.

From there it swerves to the left at the bottom of the hill before crossing a dam. There is a spillway in the middle of the dam where water flows. Continue to climb up towards the dam and follow the gravel pathway as it makes its way down to the Red Cockaded Woodpecker marker that indicates you to turn left. The trail is at 0.4 miles from that sign and then it proceeds to a second-growth forest of pines.

The treadway then continues until you reach a park bench that marks the beginning and end of this balloon-like loop trail. You may take the trail clockwise or counter-clockwise whichever you prefer. For this, we take the latter direction as the trial now begins to go down to Allison Creek’s tributary. Swerving the right, the path continues to a moderate ascent to a compacted ground. Turn left just barely a mile on this trail as the path approaches an old road.

From here, make a right turn as the path continues a flat level terrain with less change in elevation until it makes a descent. At this point, the left side has a noticeable cluster of trees which are chosen by the red cockaded woodpeckers as their home.

These woodpeckers are known to live in groups. The trees that are inhabited by the woodpeckers have a white ring painted at the base of it. The trail then continues to a wetland surrounded by a forest which then proceeds back to where the part bench is located. Retrace your way back to the trailhead where it marks the end of this journey.

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