Pine Cliff Recreation Area
January 14, 2025. I decided to begin this figure-8 hike in the center, giving me a north loop and a south loop, for a total of 16.2 miles.
It’s just after dawn….
…and it’s cold! But I was prepared. It’s not hard to tolerate cold temperatures if you stay dry. Once you get a good hiking rhythm going, you warm right up.
Early morning winter shadows are loooooooong.
After two miles of road-walking, I began the eleven miles of trail.
I primarily rely on a printed copy of the trail guide, but at any potentially confusing intersection I also double-checked with the FarOut app.
It was reassuring to have that as a back-up, but actually the printed directions were very clear. I never had any navigation issues.
The Neuse River is quite wide here, as it approaches Pamlico Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
There’s a very pretty picnic spot, with a rail where you can tie up your horse while you eat your sandwich.
The MST leads you on the less-traveled, scenic trail, but it was still well-marked.
Wouldn’t this be a delightful stop in summer! But today it was cold and windy, so I didn’t linger.
The network of boardwalks was incredible. Some of them extended for a quarter mile!
Much appreciation to the Carteret County Wildlife Club that installed and maintains these pathways.
After completing the north loop of my figure-8, I took a shoes-off break in my car, changed into a pair of fresh socks, and off-loaded extra winter gear before starting in on the shorter, southern loop.
More walkways! This time of year, the path is dry enough for travel, but I suspect without a boardwalk it’s impassable in the summer or after a lot of rain.
Yay! for winter, because there were NO MOSQUITOES!
Additional benefit of an elevated boardwalk: I did not step on any snake enjoying the spa.
The MST continues on across 101, but I took a right turn to take roads back to the car.
The two miles along McCotter Boulevard gave me the opportunity for afternoon devotions from “The Valley of Vision.” But I also like this hiking verse I found in the psalms:
You broaden the path beneath me,
so that my ankles do not turn.Psalm 18:36
My.Bird.Walks. 
I told my “old” friend Sherry (in Santa Maria, CA) about this venture of yours. Sherry is two weeks younger than me. She is trying to figure out what she should be doing with her time on earth, especially with her time getting exercise. She says that a nearby nature trail cautions people from walking alone, due to mountain lions! I sent Sherry this story.
Thanks. Lorraine Boyd
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