Photo by Jermaine Hudson
By Jocelyn Lozano
As the weather gets warmer and the sun stays out longer, I can’t help but feel motivated to adventure out into nature! With a student’s busy schedule, sometimes you forget to check out what is right in your backyard. I find that checking out trails near campus and seeing all the plants and little critters that make our environment so lovely is a favorite activity of mine. If you are not a hiker but still want to enjoy a nice stroll, these easy trails have great views and most take only an hour or so to complete. Here are some of my recommendations so you can take a break from your busy schedule and let nature refresh your mind and spirit!
Lake Johnson Nature Park – Lake Johnson West Trail
One of campus’ closest parks is Lake Johnson Nature Park. If you are looking for fishing, kayaking or a breezy walk, this is the place to be. The Lake Johnson West trail is a 2.1 mile loop trail, which is one of the shortest in the park where you get a view of the water while crossing the Lake Johnson Bridge and a taste of the wilderness pass through part of its 150-acre forested area. As it is one of the closest parks to campus, it usually gets busier during the warmer seasons, so keep that in mind on your next visit!
Lake Raleigh Recreation Area – Lakeview Trail
Lake Raleigh is on the southern side of Centennial Campus, with fun options for the community such as biking, boating and disc golf. The Lakeview Trail is a 1.1 mile out-and-back trail and gives you a walkside view of the lake, as mentioned in its name. If you have limited transportation, this area is easily accessible via the Wolfline, which can take you straight to Centennial. This trail is one of the shortest out of my mentions and usually takes around 30 minutes to complete, although there are other trails which interconnect if you want to keep exploring this recreation area.
William B. Umstead State Park – Sal’s Branch Trail
This state park is one of my favorites to explore as it has multiple trails to choose from, with my favorite pastime trail being Sal’s Branch Trail. This hike begins your route through the beautiful forest, where I have been met with deer and squirrels passing along. Halfway through, the trail leads you to the Umstead Park Lake, which also connects to Big Lake Boathouse Trail and Pott’s Branch Trail, if you want to keep exploring the state park’s charming views. The Sal’s Branch Trail is a 2.5 mile loop which usually takes me under an hour to complete, with little elevation and a notoriously flat trail so you can just enjoy the natural beauty of the park.
Lake Crabtree County Park – Lake Crabtree Loop 5 to Loop 1 Trail
Right across from William Umstead State Park is Lake Crabtree, which is a moderately longer 2.9 mile loop trail. This trail has a little more elevation than others mentioned above, but it is still a great trail to explore to catch a break outside of the busy city life. Lake Crabtree is one of my hidden gems, as it is a pretty underpopulated area which I find peaceful to relax in. It may take you around an hour and a half to complete this trail, so make sure you prepare yourself by bringing some water and good walking shoes!
Exploring trails near campus is my favorite way to relax and appreciate the nature that our city has to offer. If you’re able to visit these trails, I recommend taking your time and letting yourself enjoy all the small things we happen to overlook at times. In stressful times, it’s great to remember how much there is to enjoy in the simple things!