Bicycle Power!

Cary's not like a lot of North Carolina. 1) They don't seem to follow NASCAR. 2) Despite having 3 top Div. 1 basketball teams within 20 miles, they went and built themselves a professional soccer stadium. 3) It's not unusual to see drivers use turn signals. No wonder it's known as the Containment Area for Relocated Yankees.

Most amazing is their attitude towards bicycles. Everywhere you look there are sidewalks and bike routes and greenways. Motorists not only don't try to run bicyclists off the road, they don't even honk at them. Silly yankees.

Directions

From I-40 take exit 287 (Cary/Harrison Avenue.) Follow Harrison Avenue .4 miles south to Weston Parkway. Turn right on Weston and go down hill .6 mile and turn right onto Old Reedy Creek Rd. Take Old Reedy Creek Road about .6 mile and cross over a one lane bridge. Continue on up the hill about 200 yards and park. Go through the gate in the fence and you'll find the Black Creek Greenway running off to your left across the dam.

Clue

Follow the Greenway just over 1/2 mile around the lake until a blue blazed path crosses a foot bridge to your right just before the greenway continues on under a road bridge. You'll know you've gone just over a 1/2 mile because you'll have just passed a mile post marked "1/2 mile."

If you're cycling, leave your bike here and continue on around the lake a bit on foot on the blue blazed lake trail.

After crossing Black Creek (that sturdy pedestrian bridge) you'll go over three tiny little foot bridges going up a rise and then down numerous wooden steps going down the rise. Count the steps.

Stop and stand on the eighth step. Look 10 yards off to your left hand side for a lightning shortened and hollowed (but still live) beech tree.

Look in the hollow of the tree behind some bark for your bagged (but inkless) box.

If you've the time and the inclination, the trail continues all the way around the lake back to where you parked - a further 4 1/2 to 5 miles - else return the way you came. And please, give bicyclists some room on the road.

NOTE - As of September 17 "that sturdy pedestrian bridge" is less than sturdy. Proceed or don't at your own risk and discretion.

Hike Length: 1.5 miles