Happy Trails Series: Townsend Trail

This little ditty is dedicated to the one and only Townsend Trail.  This trail is host to a smallish (but growing yearly!) sized race called the Lakeside Trail Race, an 8 or 15 mile out and back winter time trail race.  It is loads of challenge and a celebration of the quads and cardiovascular system.

Here is the link to the races facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/lakesidetrailrace

Keep an eye on this page, or check in at Off'n Running for this race next winter! That gives you plenty of time to get acclimated to trail running or walking.

This trail is a delightful, hilly, rooty, lake-following out and back trek that is 3.8 miles long.  It is well marked with white flashes typically marking every .25 miles.  It has 2 access points. You could access either trailhead and create your own run length, or run the whole darn thing one way, or out and back for a long run!

Highlights of the Townsend? It is a close to town run with less urban intrusion (there is some power line viewing) than some of the other trails in the G-bo.  You are immediately plunged into nature town about .25 miles into your workout no matter which end of the trail is your starting point.  Another treat is some interesting mini-bridges and water crossings, as well as the trail sitting right on the shore of the lake for long stretches.  The trail "follows" the lake the whole way but you cut back in towards mainland at times, and the lake isn't always in view.  It is also a trekking only, no bike trail.  We love our mountain biking friends, but it's nice to get lost in the running groove without checking for traffic.  There are long straight aways as you serpentine back off the shore that let you kick it wide open!

Cons?  It may be a quite a challenge to a newer trail runner as some hills are pretty acute. Aint' no shame in walking for recovery!  Some of the water crossings can be a bit slippery (see below).   There are some REALLY ROOTY TOOTY sections along the lake, which may just require a slower pace or a walk.  A couple urban intrusions...and I think that's it!

If you start from the South Shore trailhead, in the 1st mile, you receive a fun eyeball prize as you saunter past a small pond on your right, and begin to make your way towards the lake.  You will be crossing into high grass and that will reveal a bit of society as you cruise under power lines, but shortly after you get the reward.  A trot along the side of Lake Townshend that meanders through trees! During mile 1 and 2, keep scanning ahead and on the ground, because roots are definitely present.  There is less heavy leaf accumulation on this part of the trail which makes seeing roots a bit easier. The second half of the run has heavier leaf cover so be careful to keep your root attena up as leaves can hide those burly trip-em-ups.  Most water crossings have a small bridge or board walk.  Some have just a few rocks or a log.  All these "water crossings" are small little trickly guys!  No gushing mountain run off.  I only mention for those who are not 100% cool with mudshoe (I often bring a bin or bag and a second pair of shoes so I can frolick than change into clean kicks).  These unbridged crossings can be muddy and a bit slippery, so you may get some earthy contact on shoes.  This trail will be wetter and water crossings potentially a little more challenging post-rain.  Some relish the adventure of these treats and others may feel unsure if they have balance issues, or an injury.  The second half of the run there is another power line excursion, and lots of quiet beauty.

The other end of this trail has a smaller parking lot right on Yanceyville road, this can accomodate 2-4 cars depending on how parking karma is operating that day.  The South Shore Road Trail head can probably fit 5-6 cars and is really close to Bryan Park Soccer Complex.

PICS AND VIDEO AND A  MAPPER AND LINKS!

Me heading towards the finish line at the 2013 Lakeside race!

YEA! Finito!

Video of the trail!

I chose to run this out and back from the South Shore Trailhead.

I just noticed I have the same gear on as I did the day of the race!? Or maybe I am like a Smurf or the Fonz and just wear the same thing every day.

MAPPER:

LINKS:

The City of Greensboro Link about Townsend Trail:

http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=1385

The Map above without the markings:

http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/modules/showdocument.aspx?documentid=3249

Happy Trails Series - Nat Greene to AY to Palmetto Looper

Oh yumtastic spring days!

No better time to explore the trail system here in Greensboro.  Today I am going to highlight a hybrid loop.  It is mostly trail and a little bit paved and is about 3 to 3.5 miles long (my GPS is just not accurate in the woods).  Three different routes make up up our loop,  a 1 mile portion of the Nat Greene trail, then we hook a left on the paved Atlantic Yadkin Greenway or AY Greenway, and then one more left onto the Palmetto trail, a 1.6 mile wooded trail.

I have included a little video to show you the trail head and some links for full descriptions of the trails through the Greensboro Park system.  The nice thing about this trail combo is immediate access, foot travel only (no bikes on the Nat Greene or Palmetto allowed), and not too hilly.  Also I love to loop versus out and back, it can be a little more interesting!

The trail head to access the Nat Greene trail is right off Old Battleground.  The parking lot is not very big, accommodating maybe 5-6 autos.  Check out the sidewalk just left of the trail head as you start onto the Nat Greene pathway, this will be your return trip from the Palmetto trail.

With 2-3 small water crossing and boardwalks, the Nat  Greene trail is moderately rooty  so be vigilant and pick up feet or walk those rootsy collins areas around big trees.  This trail has minimal hills, a few short acute ups and downs, but no heart attack hills here.  The big treat is making eyes at Brandt Lake to your left as you wind closer to and from the shoreline.  This trail comes right up to the AY Greenway.  If you don't have a lot of time, or are just getting used to walking or running on the trails, this could be a great turn around point for a two mile run or walk.

At the AY Greenway, you could cross and pick up the trail on the other side of the paved path.  This trail branches left and right, left taking you out to the Lake Brandt Marina, a very fun and hilly 3.5 miles each way (or 7.0 all together) hike or run.  That is the full length of the Nat Greene Trail.  There are a lot of different values given to the Nat Greene trail, 3.25 from the trail head on Old Battleground, 3.6 on the web site, but when I run it it the mile flashes say 3.5.   If you chose to do this guy someday, I would park at the Marina.  Parking is much more plentiful. The right branch is the wild turkey trail, most frequented by mountain bikers.

However, for our purposes (and the path laid out on the video)  we will hang a left on the Greenway. You'll go maybe half a mile along this paved path across Lake Brandt, great place to stop and get a mental picture.  Also if you want to sit and soak up Mama nature there are great benches on either side of this end of the bridge and a Dasani picnic table (great place to have a sandwich party).  The Dasani picnic table and a bench on the other side of the bridge by the Palmetto trail head provide shadier seats.

Continuing over the bridge, still on the paved Greenway, your going to walk until there is no more water to be seen on your left, and the Palmetto trail picks up here.  You'll descend into a pine needle covered portion of a coniferous stand that is shady and quiet.  Once again Lake Brandt is on your left, providing all kinds of good backdrop.  This trail is a little bit more interesting than the Natty G with more twists, turns, and a couple more boardwalk water crossings.  It also has a great hill about midway that always makes my heart sing,  It's a little longer at 1.6 miles and there are a few intrusions of suburbia (mystery pipes and possibly a sewer hatch here and there, but I just pretend those are for Super Mario).

At the end of the Palmetto, turn left onto the side walk, over the bridge you see at the beginning of the video and your back to the Nat Greene trail head.

Tadah! A solid loop!  The time it would take varies a lot on your familiarity and comfort with trails, always come prepared, always bring water.  Here is a map that I added some notes to.  Also great to do in reverse!

Nat Greene - AY Yadkin - Palmetto Loop

I have included a link to trail rules, the Nat Greene Trail, The Palmetto, and the Atlantic Yadkin Greenway!

And a video to give you a visual boop de boop, not a super exciting video but helpful if you like to
have as many references as possible prior to going.

Trail Rules and Etiquette
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=1409

Nat Greene Trail
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=1378

Palmetto Trail
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=1381

Atlantic Yadkin Greenway
http://www.greensboro-nc.gov/index.aspx?page=1362

SIR BIKES A LOT!

Rubber meets road, or dirt, is the focus today!  I would like to alert all locals of the amazing dirt and paved trail opportunities for biking and running.  What better way to do this then to highlight a local race!

A few weekends ago I had the pleasure of learning about the many types of mountain bike racing!  There is downhill, cyclocross, and also short course.  I know I missed some but I look forward to learning more.  Right here in Greensboro, and Guilford county, mountain bike racing is alive and well.  My friend Kelly is in the process of trying out racing as a possible next step in her fitness.  She has a serious passion for playing outside on her bike, but is not sure if she wants to add racing into the mix.  She invited me along to check out her short course race at Bur-Mil park.

Watching Kelly race was an exciting experience!  I had the chance to be part of the pre-race hangout with Kelly.  There was a mini-huddle of participants gathering after she warmed up. I really liked the supportive atmosphere shared by all the female participants.  They were trading encouraging words, comparing clothing layers, and strategizing about how to deal with the course conditions. Kelly participated in the open category which is for beginner racers, and in this category the kiddos, ladies, and fellas all race together.

This was a timed short course race.  The length of the race is time-based, 30 minutes, and it was a 1 mile loop around a part of the trail system in Bur-Mil Park.  The leader typically does about 6 laps.  This race series was called Biking in the Woods.  And in this particular race,   Kelly finished second!  Way to go, K-money!

Here are some pictorial displays!

Smiley Kelly

Game Face Kelly

Start Line!

However, if this sounds right up your alley, another mountain race series starts up in April, on Wednesday nights.

Here is the link!
http://www.racinginthewoods.com/tmtb-series.html

Other fun info nuggets include three local groups that may peak your interest if you like seeing the the world on two wheels.

The Greensboro Veloclub has something for all levels of riders!  This is more of a road biking group.

http://www.greensborovelo.com

If you prefer your tires nubbly, check out the local Fat Tire Society.

http://www.greensborofattire.org

Multi-sport Spice

The Triad Triathlon Team does group rides and so much more, ride along and maybe get interested in an your first sprint triathlon!  There are beginner, intermediate, and advanced triathletes in this group who do all different kinds of triathlons. AND an indoor tri coming up next weekend!

http://www.triadtriteam.com

Lastly, Buri-Mil park is a feature packed park.  It has quick access to great trails (Big Loop, Little Loop) and the Atlantic-Yadkin Greenway.   Other features, especially nice for totters,  it has a waterpark, a playground, a picnic area, and real bathrooms.

http://burmil.guilfordparks.com