Shallow Ford Natural Area to Guilford County Farm
August 23. I waited too long to arrange a shuttle, so I did this as an out-and-back hike, gaining 6.7 miles of MST by hiking 13 miles.
I chose to park at Guilford County Farm, because I’ve been there numerous times (birding), and it feels like a safer place to park than Shallow Ford.
The early morning mist was magical.
also known as “Yellow Sneezeweed”
I took a slightly alternative route to Shallow Ford, so I’d have something new to look at once I reversed direction. The cows think *I* am something new to look at!
It took a little over two hours to get to my turnaround point.
I would’ve rested a bit longer, but there was heavy machinery re-grading the parking area, so it wasn’t very peaceful.
My boots and feet were soaked from all the road-shoulder grass. I had dry socks with me, but it wasn’t going to be any better heading back, so, never mind.
OK, now I’m on the official MST route westbound from Shallow Ford.
I was kind of surprised that there were no sidewalks on either side of the high school.
I wouldn’t want my kids walking along the shoulder of NC-87, that’s for sure.
I’m happy to be hiking today. What delightful weather for mid-August!
From Amick Road the MST route heads into the trail section of Guilford County Farm.
I took my time on the 1.5 miles of trail.
A Northern Bobwhite was calling down the fence line–I finally flushed him out into the soybeans. Bob-WHITE, Bob-WHITE, Bob-WHITE!
This used to be the Guilford County PRISON Farm! It closed in 2015, and the county has really done well to promote both agricultural and recreational usage.
And the birds don’t mind the barbed wire!
(Say’s Phoebe, October 2021)
My.Bird.Walks. 
It looks like you are going toward the mountains, away from the sea.
Thanks.
Lorraine Boyd
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True. I’m working the trail in two directions, depending on weather conditions, and how to coordinate shuttles, etc. I hope to continue eastbound next week!
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