For the last week, I’ve wracked my brain for ideas for the 4th of July. We finally decided on simply doing a hike as a family. The state parks are usually jammed on this holiday with people picnicking and having bbqs so they were definitely not an option! Due to the coronavirus, though, Jug Bay, a county park, is only open to hiking, walking and running. We hoped that meant the place wouldn’t be busy, and we were right!
We arrived early, around 9:30 in the morning, at the sanctuary proper and there were quite a few spots left in the lot. Unlike the last time we hiked here, we decided against doing the popular Otter Point Trail. We snagged a map from the table outside the Wetlands Center to check out other options. Normally, there is a fee to visit Jug Bay, but there are signs up saying the fee is currently waived. With the Center closed, there are no restrooms, but we did see a port a potty in the parking lot that wasn’t there last time we visited. The Marsh Boardwalk Trail also has new signage. It is a narrow trail, so it is now a one way only trail. The entry for this trail is between the parking lot and the Center.
We decided to hike the white blazed trail, and set off on Utility Road heading for the Two Run Trail. The blaze for Utility Road is three colors to designate the three trails that begin where the Road ends. Everything is very well marked!
Stormy’s keen eyes spotted a small frog shortly after we turned onto the Two Run Trail. All three girls stopped to watch him a bit before we headed on.
We stayed on the Two Run Trail briefly before we turned left to follow the white trail onto the Upper Railroad Bed Trail.
This trail wound through the woods. It was mostly flat and an easy walk. Pebble was having a lot of fun picking up sticks and seed pods that interested her. Stormy and Rainbow hunted for neat looking mushrooms. They saw one that they said looked like a fairy stadium. I found a speckled one that reminded my husband of a cheetah.
At one point the trail seemed to stop at a road. Across this road a blue trail started, but we wanted to continue following the white trail. We turned left and discovered white blazes had been painted on the road itself. We only walked a short distance before the white trail veered to the left into the woods again, this time called the Beech Trail. This was a fun trail that zig zagged in a big loop before coming back to the road again and crossing it. The girls found lots of trees to climb and Stormy loved the smooth texture of the beech trees we passed. Pebble thought we said beach instead of beech and kept asking for the beach!
We crossed a small stream several times on wooden bridges. The kiddos loved watching the minnows darting about!
I startled a snake near one of these bridges. I have never seen a snake move so fast in my life! Fortunately, it slithered away from me! I suspect it was a Northern Black Racer from its speed. Rainbow was the one who spotted the next snake from a boardwalk over a marshy section. No clue what it was, but we hustled by it!
Pebble got her beach when we reached Pindell Point. The views were stunning!
After a rest break, after letting the kids throw rocks in and play with the sand, we followed the white trail up a hill. We were now on the Pindell Bluff Trail. We got more views of Jug Bay. Stormy also spotted a box turtle.
The trail wound through the woods to River Farm. This section was a little confusing as the trail seemed to abruptly end. Just follow the fence line around the farmland until you hit the road, then make a right. The Farm Trail starts on your right shortly after you make that turn. You will see white blazes on the road, too.
We followed the Farm Trail until it met back up with the Upper Railroad Bed Trail. We made a left there and retraced our steps to the car. It was an easy hike terrain wise, but hot! Everyone was happy to reach the car and AC! We hiked a good four miles with Pebble walking three of those miles. The girls loved finding the turtle and frogs. They also saw lizards. Jug Bay is a great place for beginner hikers. The scenery is gorgeous and the trails are easy. Check this place out! Happy trails!
