Hiking Trail Reports
with Pictures
We went hiking at two locations:
First was Tideland Trail near Cedar Point and Cape Carteret, NC. It's in Croatan National Forest just off NC58.
Second we went to Hoop Pole Woods in Atlantic Beach, NC. It's also just off of NC58.
Tideland Trail
Tideland Trail is a great nature access along the White Oak River. From pine forest to marsh the trails weave through several biologically distinct areas on both solid trail (maintained using gravel) and wooden bridges. It's a no fee area not far from the tourist areas of Emerald Isle and Swansboro, NC.
It's easy to miss the sign on NC58 just north of Cape Carteret. A paved state road leads to the entrance. The road to the parking area is also paved, and leads directly to the parking area, trail head, boat ramp, and a small dock. The trail starts to the right of the restrooms-- literally, the trail head.
There are actually a complex set of loop trails with three boardwalks connecting to an island in the White Oak River. We never managed to follow all of the loops.
Warning sign because of hurricane damage.
Welcome sign.
We started at the trailhead onto the limestone gravel surface trails, typical of the entire network except for the boardwalks. Trails are obvious, but minimal signs offer directions. We used the direction to the river (often visible) to help guide us.
Usually the first wildlife we see in summer while hiking is insects. Not so here-- surprised.
Less than a quarter mile in through young pine forest is a split. Left goes directly to the island. We took that route across a boardwalk bridge to the island. Near the salt marsh there's low live oak and cedar forest. Crabs are everywhere on the marsh as are snails.
The trail meanderes around the island, with several splits. We stayed towards the White Oak River side of the island which offers some of the best views.
We found excellent access on a point to see marsh inhabitants scrambling around. Nero (our dog) found respect for crabs after getting pinched on the nose.
Continuing along the trail we crossed to another, smaller island. From their yet another boardwalk goes back to the mainland.
The mainland has fresh water wetlands, and different plants (including cattails). Several small boardwalks bridges small wetlands along the trail as it follows the shoreline back around.
The trail route that we took was only about 2.5 miles (6 km). Taking the other loops could easily double that.
Looking across a salt marsh.
These live oak trees are on a small island along the trail.
This view is from dry land forest looking across the salt marsh.
This is one of the informational signs posted along the trail.
My hiking partner Theresa investigating a cedar tree at the edge of the salt marsh.
Cattails grow in the freshwater wetlands along the trail.
A great view across the salt marsh framed by a dead tree.
These trees along the trail were damaged by hurricanes.
This is the typical trail on the higher ground. The surface is gravel.
This view shows some of the boardwalk sections of the trail over the salt marsh.
Here Theresa is crossing on a boardwalk section.
A small boardwalk segment over fresh water.
Our dog Nero over some ground with crab holes.
Nero's paw prints in the muck.
One of the boardwalks crossing the salt marsh.
Here's a crab that came out of his burrow at the edge of the salt marsh.
This is looking across a small salt creek that connects to the White oak River.
Oysters live along the edge of the salt marsh.
Theresa looking across the salt marsh.
These trees at the edge of the salt marsh may have been killed by hurricanes.
This tree was also killed during a storm.
This is one of the boardwalks along the trail.
Theresa waiting for me. I was slow... taking pictures.
This is a live oak tree along the trail.
An unidentified flower along the trail. It grows at the edge of the marsh.
Theresa checking out the crabs at the edge of the salt marsh.
This is a section of the trail through pine dominated forest. Pine grows on the higher ground.
What's this?
This is a view across an arm of the salt marsh.
Theresa stops to read an informational sign.
From dry land trail to the boardwalk.
Crossing one of the boardwalks along the trail.
A typical wetland forest at the edge of the salt marsh.
A section of the salt marsh with a small channel.
This close-up of the salt marsh shows snails clinging to the saw grass.
Looking across the salt marsh.
Fish barely visible in the murky water.
Theresa crossing yet another boardwalk.
Leaving Cape Carteret we went towards Emerald Isle, NC. This is the bridge across Bogue Sound.
The salt marsh island of Bogue Sound looking west.
Hoop Pole Woods
The natural tract is located in Atlantic Beach, NC. Access to the main trail is adjacent to Atlantic Station Shopping Center. The trails are sand, gravel, and some paved. One trail is good for bicycling and can be accessed from the bike trail along NC58.
An Egret takes flight from the salt marsh.
Entrance signs.
The location of the trail head is strange, and another unofficial access point is in a alley. Hoop Pole Woods borders a shopping center, Atlantic Station, on NC58.
Note-- NC58 is a north/south route that goes east/west. It's pure and simple nonsense, but good to know.
Hoop Pole is one of three natural areas on an island called Bogue Banks. The island borders Bogue Sound towards the mainland and the Atlantic Ocean on the other. The other natural areas are the Roosevelt Natural Area near the NC Aquarium in Pine Knoll Shores and Fort Macon state Park near Atlantic Beach.
The North Carolina coast is a dynamic, rapidly changing (in geological terms) environment. Hoop Pole Creek is what remains of an old inlet that closed up. Old dunes once near open water are now covered in forest.
Hoop Pole is located just west of the main part of Atlantic Beach, NC. The old center of Atlantic Beach is locally known as "The Circle" even though the streets make an obvious triangle shaped pattern. Take north NC58 to go west. The main trailhead is located to the right of the Atlantic Station shopping center parking lot near Food Lion.
Almost immediatly the trail becomes a boardwalk across sandy soil with a low forest. Trees here have their upward growth stunted by salt air blowing from the ocean, most no more than 10 feet tall. Trees are mostly live oak with some cedar and pine mixed in.
That trail connects with a paved trail often used by bicyclists. This paved portion runs from NC58 (where there is no parking available) to near lands end at Bogue Sound. About a quarter mile to the left we met another trail to the right marked by a rope rail. This trail crosses old sand dunes now covered in forest of primarily live oak and ends at a marsh. Morehead City is visible across Bogue Sound.
Going back to the paved trail we continued to the point. An observation deck has been built for wildlife veiwing. The land ends just north of the deck, a trail that heads off into the marsh. Crabs, live oysters, ducks, and egrets were seen.
Near the deck we found what could be an old pier or a ship wreck. The metal structure is covered in oyster shells and is slowly corroding away.
Some wild flowers were near the marsh in the point area, including a yucca preparing to bloom.
After hiking back to the parking lot we found another (unofficial) access near the alley of the shopping center. It's a very short walk, and for unmaintained trails, really good and easy to follow. Almost immediatly there's a small creek where we saw an egret, lots of crabs and oysters along the shore, and even a blue crab under water. Every direction the trails deadend. There's a problem with trash in this area, and it appears that it's a popular fishing hole.
There were some deer flies that attacked us in the wooded areas, but much of the hike was in the open and windy which kept them at bay.
Another view of the creek.
Flowers at the edge of the marsh. I have no idea what kind they are.
A display of bravado from a small crab.
Crabs everywhere!
What's this?
Observing the wildlife along the waters edge.
The back of Atlantic Station Shopping Center.
There's a crab in the water somewhere in this picture.
I think the crab is easier to see in this picture.
Oysters in the wild.
Investigating some oysters.
Crabs everywhere.
Watch your big nose. There's crabs in these marshes.
The great explorer.
Boardwalk on the main trail from the Atlantic Station parking lot.
This is a section of paved trail.
A sandy section of trail crosses old sand dunes. Hoop Pole Creek was once an inlet from Bogue Sound to the Atlantic Ocean. It slowly filled in and Bogue Banks became one island.
This view is towards Morehead City across the salt marsh.
An old tree on a sand dune. The tree's upward growth is stunted by the salt spray from the ocean.
Another view towards Morehead City, NC.
The salt marsh near Hope Pole Creek.
A tree damaged by a storm died at the edge of the marsh.
Theresa takes a break.
Nero, a very happy dog indeed.
Some debris near the end of the trail.
There's an observation deck near the end of the trail.
A duck takes flight from the marsh.
Theresa found a dead crab.
The house on an island in the marsh.
The distinctive Atlantic Beach water tower is visible over the low trees.
Live oysters.
The view towards Morehead City. A sign posted at the edge of the marsh warns people not to eat the oysters due to polution.
Nero cools off in the creek.
An unidentified flower near the marsh.
Metal from an old dock or a shipwreck.
A yucca prepares to bloom.
Another view of the house on an island in the marsh.
Lands end itself-- a trail into the marsh.