The Walking Trails of RibbonWalk Forest

Updated Trail Descriptions

All our trails are marked with colored ribbons tied to branches. The Pink Trail is the original and main trail, roughly in the shape of the letter "P". The Blue and Green trails are segments that connect to and use the Pink Trail for completion to or from the starting point. The new Irwin Creek Trail opens later this year.

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ORANGE TRAIL

The Orange trail is not connected to the others and is easily reached from
the RibbonWalk office in the old white house east of the Forest entrance
along Nevin Road. It is shorter and relatively level walking,

All other trails begin at the central parking and event area near the gray
barn. Picnic tables are located under the huge shade trees and a
portable toilet is located on site.

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PEARTREE CORNERS

Peartree Corners is the name we've given the open area around a pear
tree along the main trail into the Forest. It is just across the earthen dam
dividing the Wetland Pond from the Lower Pond and is a crossing point
where Pink and Green trails meet. A wide wooden bench shaded by the
trees provides a great to relax by the pond.

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TRICKLIN'STREAM (Green trail)

By far the longest trail, Tricklin' Stream reaches into the great outback
portions of RibbonWalk Conservancy as it parallels the Beech Cove
stream and ties into Irwin Creek. As it diverts from the Beech Walk trail,
the rugged, steep ravine stretches uphill through the hardwood forest of
botanically diverse plants --- including Black Cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa,
and Hepatica Anemone Americana.

Follow the trail markers throughout the forest to the open meadow bordering
the far side of the take. The Conifer Garden with many unusual specimen
evergreens is located lakeside. Take the road through the tall Pine Forest
to Peartree Corners and connect back to the main road over the dam
returning to the picnic area near the gray barn.

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BEECH WALK (Pink trail)

The American Beech Tree trail at RibbonWalk begins on the old farm road,
which forms a near North & South axis through the forest. Loblolly Pines
(Pinus taeda) line the side of the road forming a quiet entry and safe haven
for the Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus). Approaching the lake, enter the
future Native Wildflower and Plants Glen with stone walkways and walls.

Take the trail over the earthen dam, which separates a pond that has become
a bog from the larger lake to the left. watching for spring peepers, Fowler's
toads and bullfrogs. Water birds including Green Herons (Butorides virescens)
and active Belted Kingfishers (Cervie alcyon) feast here regularly.

The lake on the left is the largest body of water on the site and is the focus of
several biology research projects. Continue through to Peartree Corners and
travel along the old farm road toward the hilltop and find on the left an
uncommonly tall, straight Post Oak (Quercus Stellata), a marked Treasure Tree.
What story does the old bucket, so firmly ingrown, tell?

A White Oak (Quercus Albo) tops the hill supplying a rich nut harvest to deer,
nuthatches, bluejay and woodpeckers.

Follow the path through Eastern Redbuds (Cercis canadensis), towards the
American Beech (Fagus grandifolia) tree grove. Scores of large beech trees
line the steep slopes of the Beech grove stream, growing slowly and filling the
canopy with their broad, toothed, leaves. Bright yellow and gold in the fall,
Beech trees retain their leaves through the winter bleaching a sheer white
as they rustle atop giant pale gray trunks.

At least three dozen of RibbonWalk beeches are estimated to be 150-200
years old. These designated Treasure Trees very likely are the largest and
oldest remaining colony of American Beech trees in the area.

Continue along the pink trail back past the woodland pond and to Peartree
Corners, or turn left and come out of the forest through the blue trail.

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CABIN'S REST (Blue trail)

The trail begins to the left of the gray barn located in RibbonWalk's central
picnic and event area. Look to the left for the hidden ruins of the old 1820's
log cabin.

Please do not approach the cabin area - it is off-limits. Standing guard are
Black Vultures (Coragyps atratus) who nest in the cabin remains here.
These scavengers help the forest environment by dining on animal carcasses.

Part of an ongoing history project to connect all of the Nevin and Derita
community to the old farm once here. research shows that sharecroppers so
vital to early Mecklenburg life, called this home. Situated near the top of a gentle
slope above the pond, it may one day be a Pond Ecology Viewing Station for
the many schoolchildren who learn at RibbonWalk.

Continue up trail through the hardwood glen known as the baby Beech grove.
Seeded by healthy, old growth Treasure trees nearby, the pale gray trunks
stand out from the other varieties of hardwoods and will eventually become the
dominant tree canopy here.

As you cross over the utility right of way, prepare to climb the bridges over the
double streams running side by side. One is a slow moving, polluted stream
collecting urban run-off and the other is a sparkling spring-fed stream attractive
to wildlife. Begin an uphill climb and notice the signs of an early homestead with
field markers and foundations before the trail connects to the Beech Walk (pink)
trail loop.

Turn right to visit the shady Beech grove or left to the woodland pond, a favorite
spot for Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias). Watch for deer and raccoon tracks
at the water's edge along the sandy path. Once a pasture for a farm, the
succession growth pine forest trail leads back to Peartree Corners.

The Walking Trails of RibbonWalk Forest

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Updated Trail Descriptions

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