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5 Awesome Micro-Adventures in the Triangle

mi·cro - ad·ven·ture: noun 1. an unusual and exciting experience or activity of short duration, achievable by normal people with busy lives 

Climb Lake Raleigh Boulders
Itching to get on real rock, but don't have the time to head West? Get immediate satisfaction at the Lake Raleigh Boulders. They aren't super tall, and only have a handful of problems, but they're a fun way to spend an afternoon.

Getting There
Park at Centennial Campus Middle School in the far corner by the woods. Go into the woods and turn left on the forest 'road.' About 100 feet down that path, you'll see an obvious trail on your right heading into the woods. Follow that trail downhill and to the right to eventually meet up with the Lake Raleigh TrailOnce you hit the Lake Raleigh Trail, turn left and follow it until it dead-ends at the boulders and Walnut Creek. 


Need to Know
You'll need to bring your own crash pad and spotter. One of the routes has a large pointy rock underneath, so multiple crash pads make the landing safer. If  the weather has been rainy recently, the rock is likely to be too wet to climb. Here is a link to the info on Mountain Project. *NOTE: Don't follow the 'getting there' directions on MTN Project as of 4/9/19, follow the directions above

Float the Neuse
A lazy afternoon float in early summer
The Neuse river is a (usually) slow moving river winding its way through Wake County. You'll float at a leisurely pace to the sound of songbirds. We spotted beaver, deer and osprey on our 3 hour float in early June.

Getting There
We only had a short afternoon for our float, so we chose a small section. Wal-mart had cheap floats for $10 each that we grabbed right before we headed out. They even had a float for the cooler! I used my sea kayaking tow line to keep our three floats connected. It took us about 3 hours to float the 2.5 mile section from the Poole Road Canoe Launch to the bridge at Auburn Knightdale Road. The city of Raleigh has a handy list of access points here. You'll need two vehicles or a friend to help with shuttling.

Need to know
Never float this river at flood stage- it is full of submerged trees that turn into dangerous strainers and the river is deceptively fast and powerful at that height.  You can check the river levels online by typing "Neuse River water levels" and the town you plan to float near into a Google search. The Neuse is notoriously dirty, so avoid floating after heavy rains. It is a good idea to wear shoes instead of flip flops as there are often sharp rocks when getting in and out. Avoid super low levels, as you'll just drag your butt the whole time.

Wild Swim in Sennet's Hole
On a sunny day in April, the water was still cold and
we had the place to ourselves
This is a gorgeous swimming hole along the Eno river, where large smooth rocks emerge from the river make you feel a little closer to the mountains.

Getting There
The optimal access is via the South River Trail (0.6 miles) to where it meets up with Sennet Hole Trail (0.3 miles) Access to the South River Trail begins in a designated parking lot off of Roxboro street.
There is a shorter route via the Sennet's Hole Access Trail which is 0.3 miles, BUT there is not designated parking, and you won't find a spot on a warm sunny day. 

Need to Know
Water quality and flow levels of the river are important to safe swimming. If there has been lots of rain recently, check the river level data available from the USGS here. Avoid swimming until the water levels have come back down to normal after flood stage. This is a SUPER popular spot, so expect to share the bank and the water with lots of other people during the heat of the summer.
Forage for Wild Edibles with Piedmont Picnic Project
A Piedmont Picnic-er with a bountiful persimmon harvest
photo credit @PiedmontPicnic
Piedmont Picnic Project connects people to their food through hands-on experiences that build skills and community. Commune with deeply rooted food traditions, nature, and a vibrant community through foraging and creating your own foods. Foraging along the greenway deep within the city feels like discovering hidden treasure. I had great time exploring and laughing with new people.

Need to Know
While there is always something to harvest year-round in North Carolina, opportunities for foraging are more plentiful beginning in the Spring. Expect to forage for leaves and flowers in the spring, fruits in the summer, and nuts in the fall. Other learning opportunities include learning to ferment, can, and pickle.

Find out about upcoming Piedmont Picnic Project events below:

Paddle Robertson Millpond
Roberston Millpond is the only bald cypress blackwater swamp in Wake County. Paddling through a cypress swamp feels like floating through a forest on a black mirror.
Need to Know
Bring your own boat to get on the water any time the preserve is open. Hours of operation and more info is available here. Life jackets are required to be worn at all times while on the water. If you don't have your own boat, Paddle Creek offers rentals from mid April to mid October on Saturdays. To schedule a rental, visit their website here.

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