Please join us for our November Sunday Afternoon Nature Walk as we explore the Longleaf Loop at Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area. The Longleaf Loop Trail is a 1-mile packed gravel loop offering views of the mountain range above. The trail meanders through an area of the park that was recently planted with Longleaf Pine, a species native to Eastern North Carolina, but rarely found in the Piedmont.  If time permits, we may meander along part of the Northern Approach Trail and see what we might find over there since it is located across the parking lot.

Due to the mountain’s height and inaccessibility, many species that are not easily found elsewhere in Alamance County, or even in the entire Piedmont region, thrive on and around the mountain. At least 8 different species of native ferns have been identified on the mountain including New York Fern, Cinnamon Fern, Southern Lady Fern, Christmas Fern, Netted Chain Fern, Royal Fern, Broad Beech Fern and Resurrection Fern. Native blueberry bushes are prevalent in the Cane Creek Mountains. The most efficient pollinator in the south, the Southern blueberry bee, can be found pollinating through “buzz pollination” which the flowers of blueberry plants require.

In fall we can look forward to seeing different hawk species such as Red-shouldered and Sharp-shinned, Northern Flickers, Pileated, Hairy, and Downey Woodpeckers, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, White-throated Sparrows, and Dark-eyed Juncos but you never who all might make an appearance!

We will meet at the Pine Hill Trailhead: 5075 Bass Mountain Rd, Snow Camp, NC 27349.  There is a large parking lot with restrooms.

Contact trip leader Heather Russell at

contact@tgpearsonaudubon.org with any questions.  Dress for the weather. Bring your water and binoculars/camera if you’d like.  It will be a slow-paced, fun walk.

Like all our walks, it is free and all are welcome!