Keepin' it Local

Whenever I get the bug for a trail run, it's usually the result of becoming bored with the same road route I run from my front door. While I appreciate the convenience of having a wonderful greenway system within bipedal distance of the house, I sometimes need the focus of avoiding trips on roots and rocks that a trail provides.

Little bit o' roots and rocks, but nicely maintained

My favorite place to escape is Durant Nature Preserve just north of town. This small park offers just enough seclusion to give the illusion of a pure trail run. And the Border Trail is just the right distance to make around a 3- to 3.5-mile jaunt possible. Its (mostly) easy grade and moderately technical track offers the amount of mental awareness I'm typically in the mood to find when I head out there.

The preserve was originally a Boy Scout camp, and that history is evident throughout the park. In fact, the surrounding neighborhood of Durant Trails was part of the camp and boasts adorable street names such as Halfhitch Trail, Philmont Drive, and Loyal Lane. It reminds me of a quote I read while living in D.C. for a summer how the suburbs are where they cut down all the trees and name the streets after them. But development is a part of life, so I'm comforted to know this 237-acre city-owned park survived the bulldozers. Now the park hosts a variety of nature activities, has a butterfly garden, a tree trail (also a good run), a fishing dock, shelters and a playground, large picnic area, and about 5 miles worth of trails for biking and/or hiking.

One great thing I love about the trail system is how interconnected it is. I can set out with a plan to run the entire border (using some of the bike trails to get more distance), but midway I can check a trail map at major junctions and cut my run shorter if necessary. This was helpful on my last outing. I decided to cut some time off and run the lake trail after huffing my way up to the junction of Beaver Pond Trail and Border Trail. I rarely go around the lake because it's more technical. Runoff from the surrounding landscape exposes roots and rocks, and there are short sections of single track with a direct splash down option on the lake side. A few minutes into my stint out South Lakeside Trail I come upon a sign that reads the trail is closed due to erosion and to please turn around the way you came. But the sign is on the opposite side of the tree that I've come from. I stand there a few minutes trying to decide which way it is I'm supposed to go. I make the decision to head back the way I ran in, remembering that the erosion was not too awful that way.

This section of the Border Trail is what makes it my favorite - a little jump across the creek

Back at the trail junction I look for another sign that I'm sure I must have missed, but none to be seen. After a minute I head out White House Road and back to the lot. I believe it ended up being just under 3 miles with my turn around, and that seemed to be enough for the day.

I love this little park, and I love its proximity to my home. If you get the chance, I recommend checking it out! https://www.raleighnc.gov/parks/content/ParksRec/Articles/Parks/Durant.html