North Carolina's Mountains-To-Sea Trail

Segment 15B Onslow Bight and Jacksonville NORTH CAROLINA’S MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA TRAIL TRAIL GUIDE

By Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail North Carolina's Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Dear Friend of the MST: The Mountains-to-Sea Trail provides an extraordinary way to explore North Carolina – one step at a time. This booklet is one chapter of a trail guide for the entire MST that is being written by Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. We have divided the trail into 18 segments, and each will have a chapter like this one – with east and westbound directions; information about parking, camping and other services; as well as background to help you learn more about the interesting areas of North Carolina through which the trail travels. As we complete chapters of the trail guide, we are posting them online at NCMST.org/TrailGuide. Our goal is to complete the entire guidebook by February 2016.

Thanks to the Duke Energy Foundation for a generous Current Trail Route

We hope you’ll use this chapter and others to plan your next hikes on the MST. You may find a section of trail near your home to walk for the day. Or perhaps you will plan a weekend trip to hike the trail in a part of North Caro- lina you have never visited before. Or you may even undertake a challenging, inspiring trek of the entire 1150-mile trail. On the MST, you will experience North Carolina wilderness, wildlife, small towns, farms and historic sites. You will enjoy rivers and islands, lakes and bays, urban greenways, ferries and forests, mountains and beaches. You will get a real feel for the sights, sounds and people of North Carolina. Please share your experiences on the trail and with this guide with FMST at [email protected]. Happy Trails to You! Kate Dixon, Executive Director grant to help FMST write this trail guide. 1 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail Last Updated 3/16/2015

The sun rises in the longleaf pine savanna in Holly Shelter Game Land Photo by PJ Wetzel The Onslow Bight and Jacksonville—MST Segment 15B

HOLLY SHELTER GAME LAND TO STELLA ON THE WHITE OAK RIVER – COASTAL CRESCENT HIKING ROUTE By Kate Dixon and Jim Grode

This 91-mile segment takes MST travelers through the Onslow Bight, formed where the coast makes a shallow bend or “bight” between Cape Lookout and Cape Fear. With its barrier islands, marshes, riverine wet- lands, pocosins, and longleaf pine savannas, the Onslow Bight is consid- ered one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the United States. These natural communities provide habitat for rare plants and animals, includ- MST Segment 15B | 2

ing several species that are found nowhere else in the world. The pocosins and longleaf pine forests are critical habitat for nesting and foraging red-cockaded woodpeckers, while the delicate barrier islands are essential habitat for sea turtle and water bird nesting.

Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base and the city of Jacksonville lie in the center of this segment. Much of the MST route from Sneads Ferry through Jacksonville follows roads that skirt the massive base. Hikers will see plenty of signs of the military presence—from people in uniform, to military vehicles, to signs along the highway.

The area is one of the primary conservation priorities for groups like The Nature Conservancy, NC Coastal Land Trust, NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) and many other government and nonprofit agen- cies. Camp Lejeune provides major support for these efforts by funding conservation and by managing land on the base to enhance native habitat.

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• Nineteen miles of forest road through the 63,500-acre Holly Shelter Game Land, where hikers will see vast expanses of pocosin recovering from a major peat fire in 2011, as well as savannas of lush grasses and native plants flourishing under towering longleaf pines. The Onslow Bight and Jacksonville—MST Segment 15B • The Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, ¼ mile off the MST in Surf City • An eight-mile beach walk on Topsail Island that passes: • Two of seven concrete observation towers built by the US Navy in World War II for Operation Bumblebee, a secret guided-missile testing program that operated on Topsail Island from 1946-48 • The Ocean City community in North Topsail Beach, founded in 1949 as a family-oriented beach for African Americans who at the time could not purchase property anywhere else on the Atlantic Coast • The “Discover Onslow” exhibit at the new Onslow County Environmental Education Center on NC 210 just south of Old Folkstone Rd., which is 3 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail Last Updated 3/16/2015

a great way to learn about the ecology, flora, and fauna of the Onslow Bight • Stones Creek Game Land, nestled in Camp Lejeune, which provides a scenic walk past lakes and pine woods • Jacksonville’s six-mile Rails-to-Trails Greenway, which takes hikers through the heart of downtown and over Northeast Creek to Camp Lejeune’s Holcomb Gate • Crossing the White Oak River to enter the little community of Stella on the outskirts of the Croatan National Forest.

Dawn over the White Oak River outside Stella Photo by PJ Wetzel

Thanks to Duke Energy Foundation for a generous grant which has allowed FMST to develop this and other trail guides for MST segments 12B to 15B through Sampson, Cumberland, Bladen, Pender, and Onslow counties. Additional funds in the grant are being used to acquire land and build trail in these counties.

Thanks also to PJ Wetzel, who helped develop the MST route in this area and was the first person to hike it in March and April 2014. MST Segment 15B | 4

Total distance: 90.5 miles (37.4 miles of trail, forest road, beach, and greenway; 53.1 miles of road) Difficulty: Mostly easy, moderate in game-land sections

Camping/Lodging Near Eastbound (EB) Mile 28; Westbound (WB) Mile 63 Lanier’s Campground, 1161 Spot Lane, Holly Ridge/Surf City, NC 28460; 877-665-5347; www.lanierscampgroundnc.com. About 1 mile off the trail on the mainland near Surf City. Approximately $27 to $32 for campsite depending on season/site location. Call for reservation a couple of days in advance.

Near EB Mile 29; WB Mile 62 Loggerhead Inn, 622 N. New River Dr., Surf City, NC 28460; 910-328- 3691; www.loggerheadinn.com. Rates range from approximately $58- $120 for a room with 1 or 2 queen beds; there may be a minimum 2- or 3-night stay.

EB Miles 38-41; WB Miles 50-53 Several hotels are located along this stretch of NC 210. Look for hotels with addresses between 1100 and 1500 NC 210 at www.onlyinonslow. com/lodging/sneads-ferry/.

EB Miles 67-71; WB Miles 20-24 Several hotels are located along N. Marine Blvd. (US 17 Business), which parallels the greenway trail here. Look for hotels with addresses between 500 and 1700 N. Marine Blvd. at www.onlyinonslow.com/lodging/ jacksonville/.

Seasonal Camping/Lodging EB Mile 0.0; WB Mile 90.5 Holly Shelter Game Land. This campsite, on Lodge Rd. at the Shaw Hwy. entrance to the game land, may be used by people with hunting licenses during specified periods in the fall and spring hunting seasons. Review the game-land hunting regulations at www.ncwildlife.org/Hunt- ing/LawsSafety.aspx to learn when the campsite is open and other important information about hunting seasons. 5 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail Last Updated 3/16/2015

EB Mile 18.9; WB Mile 71.6 Holly Shelter Game Land. This campsite, on Lodge Rd. at the US 17 entrance to the game land, may be used by people with hunting licenses during specified periods in the fall and spring hunting seasons. Review the game-land hunting regulations at www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/ LawsSafety.aspx to learn when the campsite is open and other important information about hunting seasons.

Near EB Mile 29; WB Mile 62 Island Inn, 202 Goldsboro Ave., Surf City, NC 28460; 910-328-2341; www.topsailislandinn.com. Open mid-April through early November. Rates are approximately $69 to $158 for a room with 1 or 2 queen beds; there may be a minimum 2- or 3-night stay.

EB Mile 31.8; WB Mile 58.7 Surf City Family Campground, 2460 Island Drive North, North Top- sail Beach, NC 28460; 910-328- 4281; www.visitnc.com/listing/surf- city-family-campground. This campground is on the island very close to the Operation Bumblebee concrete observation tower. Closed mid- November to mid-March. Approximately $32 per campsite, but nego- tiable if only one tent camper. Call for reservations for summer weekends.

Food/Supplies EB 23-43; WB 48-68 Numerous stores and restaurants are located in this area of Surf City, North Topsail Beach, and Sneads Ferry. EB 47.9; WB 42.6 NC 210 convenience store EB 66-78; WB 12-24 Numerous stores and restaurants are located in this area of Jacksonville. EB 88.6; WB 1.9 Hunter’s Crossing Country Store on Stella Rd.

Post Office/Public Library EB 39.9; WB 50.6 Onslow Public Library has computers for public use. EB 41.7; WB 48.8 Sneads Ferry post office is one block off the route. EB 90.5; WB 0.0 Stella post office is the eastern terminus of this segment. MST Segment 15B | 6

Water/Restrooms The best sources of water in this section are water fountains, well water from spigots, and bottled water from stores (see information about food/ supplies above). Avoid drinking surface water, including in the Holly Shelter Game Land.

EB 28.4; WB 62.1 Surf City Soundside Park  N EB 29.8; WB 61.7 Surf City Welcome Center and Visitor Information Center  N EB 30.6; WB 59.9 North Shore Dr. beach public access N EB 33.0; WB 57.5 Onslow County Public Park  N EB 39.9; WB 50.6 Onslow County Environment Education Center and Public Library  N EB 72.2; WB 18.3 Rev. E.W. Wooten Park  N Hunting Hunting is permitted in the Stones Creek and Holly Shelter game lands, including hunting for deer and bear with dogs from mid-October through January 1. Always wear blaze orange when walking on these properties. Learn about hunting seasons and regulations before your trip at www.ncwildlife.org/Hunting/LawsSafety.aspx.

Signs/Blazing No portions of this segment are signed or blazed.

Special considerations Throughout this segment, avoid drinking surface water.

The longest stretch of trail without access to water is in the Holly Shelter Game Land. Hikers are encouraged to bring adequate water with them into this section. Surface water in Holly Shelter can be scarce and much of it is highly tannic and may be unpalatable.

On road sections, watch for traffic and narrow shoulders. 7 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail Last Updated 3/16/2015

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FMST office: 919-698-9024 or [email protected] Pender County Tourism: www.visitpender.com/ Onslow County Tourism: www.onlyinonslow.com/

Trail Maps Google map of the entire MST: www.ncmst.org/the-trail/interactive-map/ MST routes on Holly Shelter and Stone Creek game lands (scroll to bot- tom of page for link to pdfs): www.ncmst.org/the-trail/plan-your-hike-2/guidebooks-maps/ Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails Greenway: jacksonvillenc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/199

More about sites along the route Onslow Bight Conservation Area: ncobcf.org Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center: www.seaturtlehospital.org/ Operation Bumblebee: www.nps.gov/nr/travel/aviation/usn.htm Ocean City community: www.oceancitync.com/ Onslow Environmental Education Center: www.onslowcountync.gov/MuseumTest2/ Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base: www.lejeune.marines.mil/

Footbridge over US 24 on the Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails Greenway Photo by PJ Wetzel MST Segment 15B | 8

PRIMARY PARKING LOCATIONS

Entrance to Holly Shelter Game Stones Creek Rd. entrance to Land at Shaw Hwy. Stones Creek Game Land, at inter- EB 0.0, WB 90.5 section of NC 210 and Bradshaw K Rd. N34.55186, W77.81135 EB 42.6, WB 47.9 K Entrance to Holly Shelter Game N34.55748, W77.44624 Land at US 17 EB 18.9, WB 71.6 US 17 entrance to Stones Creek K Game Land—Limited parking is N34.4101, W77.65682 available just outside the entrance gate Surf City Soundside Park, Roland EB 46.0, WB 44.5 Ave. K EB 28.4, WB 62.1 N34.5637, W77.49172 K N L N34.42911, W77.54817 Rev. E. W. Wooten Park, Ellis Blvd. EB 72.2, WB 18.3 Public beach access, 1603 N. K  N L Shore Dr. N34.75499, W77.39629 EB 30.6, WB 59.8 K N G Stella post office N34.44093, W77.51845 EB 90.5, WB 0.0 K Onslow County Public Park beach N34.77494, W77.15182 access EB 33.0, WB 57.5 K  N E N34.46047, W77.48472

Beach Access Point 31, New River Inlet Rd. EB 37.3, WB 53.2 K N34.4916, W77.42096

Coordinates can be entered in your mapping software just like a street address.

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Hiking Directions, Eastbound

0.0 From Shaw Hwy., turn left on Lodge Rd. into Holly Shelter Game Land at a prominent NCWRC entrance sign. Note: Do not enter the 63,500-acre game land without a map and compass and without checking hunting seasons and regulations. Roads in the game land are only open for vehicle traffic during hunting season. During other times of the year, park outside the gates and walk into the game land. Find links for a map with the MST route marked on it and more information about hunting seasons and regulations in the introductory material in this guide chapter. Camping is available seasonally. See camping section in this trail guide for more information. K A 2.9 Cross under powerline. 3.0 Turn right on New Rd. 5.2 At T-intersection, turn left to continue on New Rd. 6.0 At sharp curve, turn right to continue on New Rd. 8.5 At sharp curve, turn left to continue on New Rd. 10.1 At crossroads, turn right onto Military Rd. 11.9 At T-intersection, turn left onto Tram Rd. 13.5 Turn right onto Lodge Rd. (a much-less-used track continues straight here). 14.8 At T-intersection, turn left to continue on Lodge Rd. 15.7 Continue straight past lesser-used road coming in from right. 16.1 Turn right to stay on Lodge Rd. where it meets powerline cut. 18.9 Turn left on US 17. Camping is available seasonally. See camping section in this trail guide for more information. K A 22.3 Continue straight past Barlow-Vista Baptist Church on right. 23.0 Turn right in front of Lowes and cross the parking lot toward Harris Teeter grocery store parking lot. K G E 23.5 From Harris Teeter parking lot, turn right on NC 210/50 and continue south/east toward Surf City. 25.5 Turn right on Cedar Ave. into Creek Estates. 26.4 Turn left on unpaved Landing Rd. 26.5 At T-intersection, turn left on paved Driftwood Dr. 26.6 At four-way intersection where Conch St. comes in on right, turn left on Royal Palm Ave. (There is no sign.)

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A grand old oak on Dawson Cabin Road Photo by PJ Wetzel

26.8 Turn right on J.H. Batts Rd. 27.1 Pass Community Center Dr. on left. Note: The Surf City community center is approximately ¼ mile down this road. Just beyond the community center is the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (open Thursdays and Saturdays; 1-3 p.m.). 27.4 At T-intersection with NC 210/50, turn right onto sidewalk, which becomes an elevated boardwalk. Continue on NC 210/50. 28.2 Cross Swing Bridge to Topsail Island. 28.4 Turn right into Surf City Soundside Park, then take first left onto boardwalk to go over marsh beyond restrooms and picnic tables. Note: Lanier’s Campground is approximately one mile from here. See camping section of this trail guide for more information. K N L A 28.6 At end of boardwalk, continue straight through grassy field.

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28.7 Turn left on S. Topsail Dr. near IGA grocery store. Then turn right on Roland Ave. G 28.8 Cross the dunes at a gazebo-like public access structure beside the Surf City Welcome Center and Visitor Information Center. Then turn left onto beach. Note: The Loggerhead Inn and Island Inn are near this location. See camping section of this trail guide for more information.  N I A 30.6 Continue north on beach at public access, 1603 N Shore Dr. (blue sign on walkway over dunes is visible from beach), where there is a park with restrooms and playground. The Friendly Mart (open 24/7) is across the street, then right one block. K N G 31.8 Seasonal camping is available at Surf City Family Campground just off the beach. See camping section of this trail guide for more information. A 32.2 Continue straight past old, white concrete 1940s rocket observation tower (Navy project “Operation Bumblebee”) on the dune. There are pilings of old fishing pier in surf. 33.0 Continue straight past Onslow County Public Park with restrooms in gray pavilion building on the beach, water fountain, seasonal con- cession, and sound access. K  N E 37.3 Leave beach at emergency vehicle access point (labeled “BA 31” on small blue sign on post visible from beach at gap in dune). Then cross street, and turn left on dedicated paved bike/pedestrian route. There is a large public parking area here. K 37.6 At N. Topsail Beach town hall, turn right on NC 210. 38.1 Cross 0.5-mile-long High Bridge over Intracoastal Waterway to enter a long stretch of commercial development with many services and lodging options. E G I 39.9 Pass Onslow County Environmental Education Center and Public Library. The library has about two dozen computers with internet access for public use. 40.0 Continue straight to cross Old Folkstone Rd. (CVS Pharmacy is on right; Food Lion shopping center, restaurants, convenience store beyond light on left.) 41.7 Continue straight across NC 172. Sneads Ferry post office is one block to your right.

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42.6 Turn left on Stones Creek Rd. at the large NCWRC sign to enter Stones Creek Game Land. This is a seasonally gated gravel road just beyond Snead’s Ferry Presbyterian Church and directly across from intersection with Bradshaw Rd., which leads right to Dixon Elemen- tary School. Note: Do not enter the game land without checking hunting seasons and regulations. Find links for more information about hunting seasons and regulations in the introductory material in this guide chapter. K

Wildflowers bloom on Stones Creek Game Land Photo by PJ Wetzel

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Surf City MST Segment 15B | 14

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Surf City 15 | Mountains-to-Sea Trail Last Updated 3/16/2015

43.8 Turn right at intersection with gated jeep track on left to remain on Stones Creek Rd. 44.2 Turn left at jeep track at gate near bright yellow posts, which mark groundwater monitoring wells, to leave the more-traveled Stones Creek Rd. The road on this leg and the land to its right are on a private inholding, so please walk on the NCWRC land to the left of the road. 44.6 Cross Stones Creek by way of a short, shallow ford on gravel and firm sand (no swamp muck). Continue on a crude jeep track, an extension of unmarked Deer Ln. Note: Just after the ford, continue straight to cross a sandy track to reach the faint jeep road . 45.2 Bear slightly left where track joins more substantial road. 45.3 Pass gate at end of unmarked Deer Ln. Continue through open white-sand area, keeping left to remain on jeep track.

A glorious sunrise on Topsail Island Photo by PJ Wetzel

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45.6 Reach T-intersection at lake. Turn right, remaining on unmarked Deer Ln. Note: To left is a gated jeep track that circumnavigates the perimeter of the lake always keeping close to its shore. This optional scenic loop is 1.3 miles. It returns to the shorter route at the next turn. 45.7 Continue straight on unmarked Deer Ln. at intersection with circuit loop road around the lake. 46.0 Turn right on US 17 and walk the wide right shoulder between the highway and the game land. K 47.9 Continue past NC 210 on right at Dixon Middle School. There is also a gas station with convenience store. You will cross three bridges over dirt roads before the next significant intersection. G 48.4 Cross first bridge over dirt road. 49.7 Cross second bridge over dirt road. 51.1 Cross third bridge over dirt road. 52.4 Turn left on High Hill Rd. (SR 1119). 54.3 Continue straight past an orange gate onto gated, unmarked Hicks Rd. Note: This gated road leads into the northern of three tracts of the NCWRC’s Stones Creek Game Land. If you are interested in a 1.5-mile scenic woods route through this game land, turn right here. Do not enter the game land without checking hunting seasons and regulations. Find links for more information about hunting seasons and regulations in the introductory material in this guide chapter. After turning right on Hicks Rd. (a grassy dirt road), travel 0.7 mile, and then turn left at an orange gate onto a foot path, leaving the wider Hicks Rd. Then travel 0.8 mile to a permanently closed gate at High Hill Rd., and turn right, returning to High Hill Rd. 54.8 Continue on High Hill Rd. past a second closed orange gate on right. The optional woods route described in the previous entry returns to the road here. 55.5 Turn left on Dawson Cabin Rd. at stop sign. 55.7 Pass New Bay Primitive Baptist Church on right. 56.3 Continue straight past intersection with Stillwood Rd. on left and Republic Ct. on right. 57.0 Continue straight past Old Timber Rd. on left. A glorious sunrise on Topsail Island Photo by PJ Wetzel 57.9 Pass Haws Run Primitive Baptist Church on left.

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58.0 Turn right on Haws Run Rd. at stop sign beside a tall communica- tion tower. 59.3 Continue straight past Clayton James Rd. on right. 61.9 Pass New Dixon Family Worship Center on right. 62.0 Bear right on NC 53 (Burgaw Hwy.) . 62.3 Turn left on Pony Farm Rd. at first right. (The cross-street changes name to Murrill Hill Rd. on the right.) 62.8 Pass Southwest Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) on right. 63.0 Turn right on Gould Rd.; Southwest Meadowview Community Building is on this corner. 64.6 Turn left on NC 53. 65.1 Turn right at light on Old Maplehurst Rd. 65.2 Turn left on Springdale Rd. 65.5 Turn left on Spring Villa Dr. 65.8 At T-intersection next to soccer complex, turn right on Blue Creek School Rd. (There is no street sign.) 66.0 Turn left on Titus Ln. (The road is called Surrey Dr. on the other side of Blue Creek School Rd.) 66.3 At sharp right-hand turn, road changes name to Canady Rd. 66.9 Where Canady Rd. makes a sharp right turn just before divided US 17 Business, continue on Canady Rd. 67.0 Just before the metal guard rail, cross a trampled gap in the fence and turn left to follow the shoulder of US 17B. 67.3 Cross entrance ramps then continue under NC 24 bridges. 67.5 Cross US 17B at light and continue in the same direction. 67.9 Turn right at light on Broadhurst Rd. 68.2 Continue straight ahead as road changes name from Broadhurst Rd. to Georgetown Rd. when Georgetown Rd. intersects from the left. 68.3 Turn left on Dudley St. 68.5 At T-intersection, turn right on Sybil St. 68.6 Road makes a sharp left turn and changes name to Leonard St. 68.9 Turn right on Old Bridge St., and follow the sidewalk on the right side of the street. 69.2 Cross bridge over New River. 69.4 Pass Onslow county courthouse on left.

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69.5 Turn left on Railroad St./E. Railroad St. (also marked “To New Bridge St.”). 69.7 E. Railroad St. ends at the intersection with Chaney Rd. in front of the New Bridge Middle School athletic fields. Shift right off the vehicle road to follow the off-road paved bike/pedestrian trail, which becomes the Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails Greenway. Note: Several hotels are located along N. Marine Blvd. in this area. See lodging section in this trail guide for more information. I N 71.2 Turn right at a trail intersection before Bell Fork Rd. This is a junc- tion of off-road bike/walking trails. Follow the Rails-to-Trails Gre- enway, which turns right, diverging from the off-road “Hwy. 17 Trail” that continues straight along N. Marine Blvd. (US 17) for a short distance. 72.2 Continue straight across Ellis Blvd. Approximately 100 yards to the right is Rev. E. W. Wooten Park, with restrooms, water fountains, and a picnic shelter. K  N 73.1 Continue over a major footbridge over NC 24 (Lejeune Blvd.). Then bear left to parallel NC 24. 75.3 Cross footbridge over Northeast Creek. 76.1 The Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails Greenway emerges at a parking lot off Holcomb Blvd., just before the main entrance to Camp Lejeune. Here it continues into Camp Lejeune but is restricted to those with a pass. Leave the trail and cross over both lanes of Holcomb Blvd. (there is a bushy median) and follow the curving on-ramp that bears right onto eastbound NC 24. 76.4 Follow NC 24 eastbound. 77.3 Turn left into shopping center with Food Lion and Big-K department store. Follow roads through the parking lot, bearing left at the far end and passing beside Big-K to exit the shopping center from the back side of the Big-K store. 77.8 Turn left on Piney Green Rd. Cross railroad tracks. Note: In Sept. 2014, this busy section of road was under construction. Use caution. 78.4 Turn right at first traffic light on Rocky Run Rd.Note: In Sept. 2014, this intersection was under construction and had no road signs. 80.1 Continue straight past Old Towne Point Blvd. 81.5 Continue straight under powerline.

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83.1 Turn right on Old 30 Rd. 83.7 Turn right on Smith Rd. (marked with bike route sign). 85.3 Pass straight through intersection with Riggs Rd. 87.5 At T-intersection, turn right on Belgrade-Swansboro Rd. 87.6 Continue straight past Saint Paul AME Zion Church on right. 88.6 Turn left on Stella Rd. Hunter’s Crossing Country Store is on right. G 89.9 Continue straight past Midway United Methodist Church on right. 90.3 Cross bridge over White Oak River to enter Carteret County. 90.5 Reach Stella post office and end of Segment 15. K

A 1946 rocket observation tower built for Operation Bumblebee Photo by PJ Wetzel

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Hiking Directions, Westbound

0.0 From Stella post office, turn right (west) on Stella Rd. to begin Seg- ment 15. K 0.2 Cross bridge over White Oak River to enter Onslow County. 0.6 Continue straight past Midway United Methodist Church on left. 1.9 Turn right on Belgrade-Swansboro Rd. Hunter’s Crossing Country Store is at intersection. G 2.9 Continue straight past Saint Paul AME Zion Church on left. 3.0 Turn left on Smith Rd. 5.2 Continue straight across intersection with Riggs Rd. 6.8 At T-intersection, turn left on Old 30 Rd. 7.4 Turn left on Rocky Run Rd. 9.0 Continue straight under powerline. 10.4 Continue straight past Old Towne Point Blvd. 12.1 Turn right on Piney Green Rd. Note: In Sept. 2014, this busy section of road was under construction. Use caution. 12.7 Turn right into the Piney Green Shopping Center before the Navy Federal Credit Union. Continue through the shopping center parking lot. Note: You are entering Jacksonville, and services of all kinds, including lodging, restaurants, and stores, are abundant for the next several miles. 13.2 Bear right onto divided highway NC 24 (Lejeune Blvd.). 14.1 Bear left onto the on-ramp for oncoming traffic from Camp Lejeune main gate. 14.4 Before passing under the large gate structure arching across the road, turn right, cross divided Holcomb Blvd., then cross a parking lot and begin hiking the Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails Greenway. 15.2 Cross footbridge over Northeast Creek. 17.4 Continue over a major footbridge over NC 24. 18.3 Continue straight across Ellis Blvd. Approximately 100 yards to the left is Rev. E. W. Wooten Park, with restrooms, water fountains, and a picnic shelter. K  N 19.3 Where path curves to the left and another path comes in from the right, continue to the left. The other trail continues along N. Marine Blvd. for a short distance and is called the “Hwy. 17 Trail.” Note: Sev-

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Boardwalk from the beach to Surf City Soundside Park Photo by PJ Wetze

eral hotels are located along N. Marine Blvd. in this area. See lodging section in this trail guide for more information. I N 20.8 At the end of the Rails-to-Trails Greenway beside the intersection of Chaney Rd. and Railroad Ave., continue straight on Railroad Ave. (Do not bear right on Chaney.) 21.0 Turn right on Old Bridge St. after passing intersection with New Bridge St. 21.1 Pass Onslow county courthouse on right. 21.3 Cross bridge over New River. 21.6 Turn left on Leonard St. just before Old Bridge St. ends at merger with busy Marine Blvd. 21.9 Follow right turn in road, no intersection, where Leonard St. becomes Sybil St.

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22.0 Turn left on Dudley St. 22.2 Turn right on Georgetown Rd. 22.3 Continue straight where Georgetown Rd. turns right. Road changes name to Broadhurst Rd. 22.6 Reach intersection with divided Business US 17. Turn left onto sidewalk and frontage road before reaching the highway. 23.0 Cross US 24 at light just past intersection by NC Department of Transportation office. 23.2 Cross under NC 24 bridges, then cross entrance ramps. 23.5 Just before the metal guard rail, cross a trampled gap in the fence and turn right on Canady Rd. 23.6 Continue on Canady Rd. as it turns sharply left. 24.2 At a sharp left-hand turn, road changes name to Titus Ln. 24.5 At four-way intersection, turn left on Blue Creek School Rd. (Titus Ln. becomes Surrey Dr. on the other side of the intersection.) 24.7 At large Southwest Soccer Club complex of fields, turn left on Spring Villa Dr. There is no street sign.) 25.0 Turn right on Springdale Dr. at stop sign just past Shroyer Circle. (There is no street sign.) 25.3 Turn right on Old Maplehurst Rd. 25.4 Turn left at traffic light, returning to NC 53 (now Burgaw Hwy.). 25.9 Turn right on Gould Rd. 27.5 Turn left on Pony Farm Rd.; Southwest Meadowview Community Building is on this corner. 27.7 Pass Southwest VFD on left. 28.2 Turn right on NC 53. 28.5 Turn left on Haws Run Rd. 28.6 Pass New Dixon Family Worship Center on left. 31.2 Continue straight past Clayton James Rd. on left. 32.5 Turn left on Dawson Cabin Rd., next to tall communications tower. (Dawson Cabin Rd. is unsigned; sign on opposite side of road is for Harris Creek Rd.) 32.6 Pass Haws Run Primitive Baptist Church on right. 33.5 Continue straight past Old Timber Rd. on right. 34.2 Continue straight past intersection with Stillwood Rd. on right and Republic Ct. on left.

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34.8 Pass New Bay Primitive Baptist Church on left. 35.0 Turn right on High Hill Rd. 35.7 Continue on High Hill Rd. past a closed orange gate on left. Note: This gate leads into one of three tracts that are part of the NCWRC’s Stones Creek Game Land. If you are interested in a 1.5-mile scenic woods route through this game land, turn left here. Do not enter the game land without checking hunting seasons and regulations. Find links for more information about hunting seasons and regulations in the introductory material in this guide chapter. After turning left through the gate, travel 0.8 mile and turn right onto a wider dirt road (Hicks Rd.). Then travel 0.7 mile and turn left, returning to High Hill Rd. 36.2 Continue straight past second gated road on left. The optional woods route described in the previous entry returns to the road here. 38.1 Turn right on US 17. You will cross three bridges over dirt roads before the next significant intersection. 39.4 Cross first bridge over dirt road. 40.8 Cross second bridge over dirt road. 42.1 Cross third bridge over dirt road. 42.6 Continue past NC 210 on left. Dixon Middle School and a gas station with convenience store are on the left just past NC 210. G 44.5 Turn left on a fairly steep drop off the highway shoulder, onto an unmarked, seasonally gated gravel road into the Stones Creek Game Land. Note: Do not enter the game land without checking hunting seasons and regulations. Find links for more information about hunting seasons and regulations in the introductory material in this guide chapter. K 44.8 Turn left at an intersection of gravel roads in front of a small lake. (The road to the right circumnavigates the perimeter of the lake always keeping close to its shore. This optional scenic loop is 1.3 miles. It returns to the shorter route at the next turn.) 44.9 Turn left away from lake on unmarked Deer Ln., just before orange gate. 45.2 Pass gate and continue on jeep track. 45.3 Keep right at fork, following the less prominent track.

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US 17 through Camp Lejeune Photo by PJ Wetzel

45.9 Just after crossing a bulldozed fire break, cross Stones Creek on a short, shallow ford of gravel and firm sand (no swamp muck). The road on this leg and the land to its left are on a private inholding, so please walk on the NCWRC land to the right of the road. 46.3 At end of the track, beside multiple yellow posts on left, which mark groundwater monitoring wells, turn right on gravel Stones Creek Rd. 46.7 At intersection where gated unimproved road bears off slightly to the right, turn left to stay on Stones Creek Rd. 47.9 Turn right on NC 210 at Sneads Ferry Presbyterian Church. You are now entering a long stretch of commercial development with many services and lodging options. K E G I 48.8 Continue straight across NC 172. Sneads Ferry post office is one block to your left. 50.5 Continue straight to cross Old Folkstone Rd. (CVS Pharmacy is on left; Food Lion shopping center, restaurants, and convenience store are on right before light.) E G I

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50.6 Pass Onslow County Environmental Education Center and Public Library. The library has about two dozen computers with internet access for public use.  N 52.4 Cross 0.5-mile-long High Bridge over Intracoastal Waterway. 52.9 At N. Topsail Beach town hall, turn left on paved bike/pedestrian path paralleling New River Inlet Rd. 53.2 At first beach access point walk though dunes to beach and turn right. Large public parking area here. K 57.5 Continue straight past Onslow County Public Park with restrooms in gray pavilion building on the beach, water fountain, seasonal con- cession, and sound access. K  N E 58.3 Continue straight past old, white concrete 1940s rocket observation tower (Navy project “Operation Bumblebee”) on the dune. There are pilings of old fishing pier in surf. 58.7 Seasonal camping is available at Surf City Family Campground just off the beach. See camping section of this trail guide for more information. A 59.9 Continue south on beach at public access, 1603 N. Shore Dr. (blue sign on walkway over dunes is visible from beach) where there is a park with restrooms and playground. The Friendly Mart (open 24/7) is across the street, then right one block. K N G 61.7 Turn inland just before the Surf City Fishing Pier and cross the dunes at a gazebo-like public access structure beside the Surf City Welcome Center and Visitor Information Center. Note: The Loggerhead Inn and Island Inn are near this location See camping/lodging section of this trail guide for more information.  N I A 61.8 Turn left on S. Topsail Dr. and pass IGA grocery store, then turn right to go through grassy field toward boardwalk. G 61.9 Continue straight on boardwalk over marsh. 62.1 Reach Surf City Soundside Park and turn right, then left on NC 210/50. K N L A 62.3 Cross Swing Bridge to mainland and continue on NC 210/50, using elevated boardwalk and sidewalk on left side of road. 63.1 Turn left on J.H. Batts Rd. Note: Lanier’s Campground is about one mile from the trail route here. See camping section in this trail guide for more information. A

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10A red maple going to seed in Holly Shelter Game Land Photo by PJ Wetzel

63.4 Pass Community Center Dr. on right. Note: The Surf City community center is approximately ¼ mile down this road. Just beyond the community center is the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Reha- bilitation Center (open Thursdays and Saturdays; 1-3 p.m.).

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63.7 At T-intersection, go right on Royal Palm Ave. 63.9 Take first right on Driftwood Dr. 64.0 Take first right on unpaved Landing Dr. (There is no street sign.) 64.1 Turn right on unpaved Cedar Ave., which becomes paved a bit far- ther on. 65.0 Turn left on NC 210/50. 67.0 Turn left at traffic light into large shopping center anchored by Har- ris Teeter grocery store. Travel diagonally across the parking lot toward the adjacent Lowes home improvement store parking lot, also crossing that diagonally. 67.5 Turn left on US 17. K G E 68.2 Continue straight past Barlow-Vista Baptist Church on left. 71.6 Turn left on Lodge Rd. into Holly Shelter Game Land at prominent NCWRC entrance sign. Note: Do not enter the 63,500-acre game land without a map and compass and without checking hunting seasons and regulations. Roads in the game land are only open to vehicles during hunting season. During other times of the year, park outside the gates and walk into the game land. Find links for a map with the MST route marked on it and more information about hunting seasons and regulations in the game land in the introductory material in this guide chapter. Camping is available seasonally. See camping section in this trail guide for more information. K A 74.4 Turn left to stay on Lodge Rd. where it leaves a powerline cut. Do not enter small gated road. 74.8 Continue straight past lesser-used road coming in from left. 75.7 At Y-intersection with Tram Rd., keep right to stay on Lodge Rd. (Signs are on left.) 77.0 Turn left onto Tram Rd. This is a 4-way intersection where the track to the right is much less prominent than the other three directions. 78.6 Take the first right onto lesser-used Military Rd. A dilapidated concrete post at the edge of the woods on the left is the only marker at this intersection. 80.4 At 4-way intersection, turn left onto New Rd. (marked on post par- tially hidden in undergrowth). 82.0 At sharp curve, turn right to continue on New Rd. 84.5 At sharp curve, turn left to continue on New Rd.

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85.3 Turn right to remain on New Rd. A lesser-traveled road continues straight toward private land. 87.5 At T-intersection, turn left onto Lodge Rd. 87.6 Cross under powerline. 90.5 Reach Shaw Hwy. and end of Segment 15. Camping is available seasonally. See camping section in this trail guide for more information. K A

The western end of the Jacksonville Rails-to-Trails Greenway Photo by PJ Wetzel

A Camping ILodging KParking EFood NRestrooms GSupplies Water LPicnic THE MOUNTAINS-TO-SEA TRAIL NEEDS YOU!

Become a Member Building and maintaining trail, acquiring land and raising awareness and support are important, on-going jobs. Financial donations make this work possible.

Volunteer You can also become a “friend” of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail by donat- ing your time. We need volunteers with a variety of skills and interests – some to build trail and some to help in other ways.

To become a member and to learn more about volunteering, visit our website at www.ncmst.org or call the FMST office at 919-698-9024.

PO Box 10431 Raleigh, NC 27605 919-698-9024 www.ncmst.org

The Mountains-to-Sea Trail map was designed by Curtis Belyea. Cover photos of the sun rising in Holly Shelter Game Land and on Topsail Island by PJ Wetzel A Camping ILodging KParking EFood NRestrooms GSupplies Water LPicnic